The present state-of-the-art and prospects of development are considered for high-solid protective coatings which are described as the finish of the future. It is shown that the rising cost of solvents; the fact that only modes capital expenditures are required to apply high-solids; and the ability to meet EPA's regulations for volatile organic compounds makes the high-solids technology the most versatile solution to the cost and environmental problems faced by paint and coating users today.