Abstract: A welding rod with a water resistant coating (14), and a method of making the same, is disclosed. To the surface of the welding rod is applied one or more coatings (14) comprising a plurality of metallic flakes and an organic binding agent which adheres the coating (14) to the electrode covering (12) on surfaces of the welding rod (10) 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.