Cross-group finish comparison
Clear Coating vs Tinted Clear Coating
Clear Coating (coatings for plastics) and Tinted Clear Coating (colouring & dyeing) solve the same problem by different routes; clear coat resists corrosion better.
Clear Coating
Coatings for plastics · $$
Clear coating is a transparent liquid topcoat used to protect color, graphics, and prepared printed-polymer surfaces while controlling gloss.
Tinted Clear Coating
Colouring & dyeing · $$ · instant quote
Tinted clear coating is a transparent or translucent colored topcoat that modifies hue while preserving some view of the substrate.
When to choose which
Choose Clear coat
Choose Clear coat when protection is needed without color shift.
- Protects dye, paint, decals, and printed surfaces
- Controls matte, satin, or high-gloss appearance
- Can improve cleanability and light scratch resistance
Choose Tinted coat
Choose Tinted coat when transparent color adjustment is needed.
- Adds transparent color without fully hiding the substrate
- Supports candy-color and depth effects
- Can combine color with a protective clear binder
What the numbers say
- Clear coat resists corrosion better.
- Clear coat is the lower-cost option ($$).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Clear coat | Tinted coat |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 20 Low | 15 Low |
| Surface hardness / wear | 12 Minimal | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 85 Excellent | 92 Excellent |
| Lubricity | 20 Low | 20 Low |
| Cost | 25 $$ | 35 $$ |
Key numbers
| Property | Clear coat | Tinted coat |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 15–50 µm | 15–50 µm |
| Electrical | Insulating | Insulating |
| Colours | clear | transparent red, transparent blue, transparent amber, smoke, custom transparent color |
| Relative cost | Standard ($$) | Standard ($$) |
| Added lead time | 3–7 working days | 4–8 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | On request | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Clear coat | Tinted coat |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| PolyJet | — | Yes |
| Polymer | Yes | Yes |
| SLA | Yes | Yes |
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | With care | With care |
| Composite | With care | With care |
| Copper Alloy | With care | With care |
| FDM | With care | With care |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| MJF | With care | With care |
| SLS | With care | With care |
| Stainless Steel | With care | With care |
| Titanium | With care | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
| DMLS / SLM | Limited | Limited |
Clear coat vs Tinted coat — frequently asked
What is the difference between Clear coat and Tinted coat?
Clear Coating (coatings for plastics) and Tinted Clear Coating (colouring & dyeing) solve the same problem by different routes; clear coat resists corrosion better. Clear coat is the lower-cost option ($$).
When should I use Clear coat instead of Tinted coat?
Choose Clear coat when protection is needed without color shift. Conversely: choose Tinted coat when transparent color adjustment is needed.
Is Clear coat or Tinted coat cheaper?
Clear coat is the lower-cost finish ($$ against $$ for Tinted 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.