A moisture cure polyurethane durable coating with an acrylic additive to enhance strength and durability, for application to a drumstick having a standard clear coating. The durable coating bonds to the standard clear coating, and helps to resist impacts and abrasions, thereby protecting the tip and shoulder area of the drumstick when the drumstick strikes the rim of a drum, or the edge of a cymbal. The durable coating helps to protect the drumstick from early breakage, thereby extending the useful life of the drumstick. The coating has an aesthetic pearl finish with a satin sheen and excellent color retention properties. The durable coating includes aliphatic polyisocyanates which resist yellowing better than aromatic urethanes. The coating procedure features fast low-temperature drying, and quick re-coating times. The durable coating can be formulated as a pearl finish using titanium dioxide pigment, or as a translucent metallic finish using aluminum powder pigment.