In a process for applying a friction-resistant coating to a steel sucker rod, the rod is passed, in sequence, through a surface preparation stage (for example, scale removal, shot peening, or other suitable method), an adhesive application stage (to enhance the strength of the coating's bond to the rod), an extrusion stage (in which the rod is passed through a die in conjunction with a flow of melted polymeric coating material), and a cooling (coating solidification) stage. Typically, the radial thickness of the coating will be between 0.125 and 0.375 inches. The process is adaptable to apply extruded coatings to continuous rod or to individual sucker rods having upset ends. The coating may be selected from but is not limited to high-density polyethylene, cross-linked polyethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyphenylensulfide, nylon, polyester, polyethersulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polystyrene, epoxy, or acetyl.