Paint, powder & polymer coatings · finish comparison
Clear Coating vs UV-Cured Coating
Clear Coating and UV-Cured Coating are both coatings for plastics finishes; uV coating resists corrosion better.
Clear Coating
Coatings for plastics · $$
Clear coating is a transparent liquid topcoat used to protect color, graphics, and prepared printed-polymer surfaces while controlling gloss.
UV-Cured Coating
Coatings for plastics · $$ · instant quote
UV-cured coating is a clear or pigmented liquid film polymerized rapidly by ultraviolet light.
When to choose which
Choose Clear coat
Choose Clear coat when a non-UV cure route is required.
- Protects dye, paint, decals, and printed surfaces
- Controls matte, satin, or high-gloss appearance
- Can improve cleanability and light scratch resistance
Choose UV coating
Choose UV coating when rapid UV cure and a harder thin plastic topcoat are required.
- Typical plastic topcoat is 10–30 µm
- Cures in seconds under the qualified UV dose
- Can improve scratch and stain resistance
What the numbers say
- UV coating resists corrosion better.
- Clear coat is the lower-cost option ($$).
- UV coating is the thinner coating (10–30 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Clear coat | UV coating |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 20 Low | 25 Low |
| Surface hardness / wear | 12 Minimal | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 85 Excellent | 90 Excellent |
| Lubricity | 20 Low | 20 Low |
| Cost | 25 $$ | 35 $$ |
Key numbers
| Property | Clear coat | UV coating |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 15–50 µm | 10–30 µm |
| Electrical | Insulating | Insulating |
| Colours | clear | clear, custom tint, custom color |
| Relative cost | Standard ($$) | Standard ($$) |
| Added lead time | 3–7 working days | 2–5 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | On request | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Clear coat | UV coating |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| MJF | With care | Yes |
| Polymer | Yes | Yes |
| SLA | Yes | With care |
| SLS | With care | Yes |
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | With care | With care |
| Composite | With care | With care |
| Copper Alloy | With care | With care |
| FDM | With care | With care |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| Stainless Steel | With care | With care |
| Titanium | With care | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
| DMLS / SLM | Limited | Limited |
Clear coat vs UV coating — frequently asked
What is the difference between Clear coat and UV coating?
Clear Coating and UV-Cured Coating are both coatings for plastics finishes; uV coating resists corrosion better. Clear coat is the lower-cost option ($$). UV coating is the thinner coating (10–30 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
When should I use Clear coat instead of UV coating?
Choose Clear coat when a non-UV cure route is required. Conversely: choose UV coating when rapid UV cure and a harder thin plastic topcoat are required.
Is Clear coat or UV coating cheaper?
Clear coat is the lower-cost finish ($$ against $$ for UV coating) 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.