I really enjoy fishing these squarebills in wood or rock cover. The problem is of course, the thin coat of paint used to make the baits look sort of translucent, just does not hold up.

Has anyone ever put a clear coat on these KVD cranks, to prolong the lifespan of the paint job? I'm wondering if applying a coating would effect the action or true running efficiency of these productive lures.

It should be ok as long as the coat is even throughout the bait and you don't cover the bill. It'll make the bait slightly heavier but that should help with casting distance. I like to use envirotex as a clear coat when repainting baits, but this type of coating requires a drying wheel for an even coat. If you don't want to build a dry wheel, I believe there's another type of coating which you can just dip the bait and hang it up to dry for an even coat(I can't think of the name). Maybe some of the more experienced guys can add in their input on that.