The present disclosure provides a system and method for providing an improved protective coating for a substrate that may be inspected using the unaided eye or other apparatus under available light. The protective coating is mixed with an additive including flakes or particles that, when applied to the substrate as part of the protective coating, allow the user to empirically determine if the surface has received an adequate protective coat. The determination of whether or not any defects exist may include comparing the observed appearance of the specialty pigment particles with a comparative standard.