Certain example embodiments relate to detecting and recognizing coatings on articles. A captured image and/or video of an article includes source light reflections associated with each major surface of that article. A color coordinate characterization for each source light reflection is calculated. Detection and recognition of any coatings formed on the major surfaces of the article is performable by comparing the calculated color coordinate characterizations and/or changes between calculated color coordinate characterizations to information stored in a data store including known color coordinate characterizations and/or known changes between color coordinate characterizations for different known coatings. Responsive to the detection and recognition of coating(s), there is generated output indicating the major surface(s) on which each detected and recognized coating is formed, an identifier of each detected and recognized coating, a likelihood associated with the detection and recognition of each detected and recognized coating, and an indication of any likely uncoated surfaces.