a welding rod with a water resistant coating , and a method of making the same , is disclosed . to the surface of the welding rod is applied one or more coatings comprising a plurality of metallic flakes and an organic binding agent which adheres the coating to the electrode covering on surfaces of the welding rod and imparts the water resistance . the coating may comprise a thermoset phenolic resin and metallic flakes with an average particle size between 12 and 25 microns .