Paint, powder & polymer coatings · finish comparison
Clear Coating vs Hydrophobic Nano-Coating
Clear Coating and Hydrophobic Nano-Coating are both coatings for plastics finishes; hydrophobic coat resists corrosion better.
Clear Coating
Coatings for plastics · $$
Clear coating is a transparent liquid topcoat used to protect color, graphics, and prepared printed-polymer surfaces while controlling gloss.
Hydrophobic Nano-Coating
Coatings for plastics · $$ · instant quote
Hydrophobic nano-coating is an ultrathin water-repellent treatment that lowers surface energy so droplets bead and shed.
When to choose which
Choose Clear coat
Choose Clear coat when a measurable protective film and gloss control are required.
- Protects dye, paint, decals, and printed surfaces
- Controls matte, satin, or high-gloss appearance
- Can improve cleanability and light scratch resistance
Choose Hydrophobic coat
Hydrophobic coat is the pick when its strengths below matter more than Clear coat's.
- Adds water repellency with minimal dimensional change
- Can reach complex external geometry
- Usually preserves appearance
What the numbers say
- Hydrophobic coat resists corrosion better.
- Clear coat is the lower-cost option ($$).
- Clear coat is insulating; Hydrophobic coat is unchanged.
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Clear coat | Hydrophobic coat |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 20 Low | 25 Low |
| Surface hardness / wear | 12 Minimal | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 85 Excellent | 20 Low |
| Lubricity | 20 Low | 45 Fair |
| Cost | 25 $$ | 35 $$ |
Key numbers
| Property | Clear coat | Hydrophobic coat |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 15–50 µm | — |
| Electrical | Insulating | Unchanged |
| Colours | clear | clear |
| Relative cost | Standard ($$) | Standard ($$) |
| Added lead time | 3–7 working days | 2–6 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | On request | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Clear coat | Hydrophobic coat |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| Polymer | Yes | Yes |
| SLA | Yes | Yes |
| Steel | Yes | With care |
| Brass | With care | With care |
| Composite | With care | With care |
| Copper Alloy | With care | With care |
| DMLS / SLM | Limited | With care |
| FDM | With care | With care |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| MJF | With care | Limited |
| SLS | With care | Limited |
| Stainless Steel | With care | With care |
| Titanium | With care | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
Clear coat vs Hydrophobic coat — frequently asked
What is the difference between Clear coat and Hydrophobic coat?
Clear Coating and Hydrophobic Nano-Coating are both coatings for plastics finishes; hydrophobic coat resists corrosion better. Clear coat is the lower-cost option ($$). Clear coat is insulating; Hydrophobic coat is unchanged.
When should I use Clear coat instead of Hydrophobic coat?
Choose Clear coat when a measurable protective film and gloss control are required.
Is Clear coat or Hydrophobic coat cheaper?
Clear coat is the lower-cost finish ($$ against $$ for Hydrophobic coat) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.