Abstract: An apparatus for treating, in particular purifying or degassing, molten metal (40), comprising a component (10) exposable to molten metal to be treated and means (13) for imparting a rotary motion to the molten metal (40) about a substantially vertical axis. The apparatus is so arranged that during use at least part of a wear-exposed surface of the component (10) is temporarily or permanently in contact with molten metal (40), the contacting molten metal being in motion relative to the wear-exposed surface. The wear-exposed surface is coated with a slurry-applied protective coating (18A,18B) of refractory material in a heat stable binder, in particular an inorganic colloidal and/or polymeric binder, protecting the wear-exposed surface against erosion, oxidation and corrosion.