An exemplary embodiment provides coated polymeric substrates that have a polymeric substrate body with a coated surface. The surface coating includes more than one pair of coating layers. Each pair of coating layers includes a first applied coating layer and a second applied coating layer. In addition, an indicator, applied on top of or between coating layers, provides an indication of wear of the coating. The first and second applied coating layers have a thickness between about 3 to about 10 nanometers. The coating exhibits a Hall-Petch effect.