Why Doesn't Apple Put a Clear Coat on the iPhone 5?

[archrider]

Then why even bother painting the thing?

It isn't paint. It's anodizing. It's an aluminum process not unlike corrosion that is part of the aluminum surface and is much more durable than paint. It is thin however so if the surface is scratched deep enough the raw aluminum shows through. A clear coat would not be as durable as the anodizing. It may protect the anodized surface but scratches in it will be very obvious maybe will look worse than dings in the anodizing. I hate clear coats on natural metal surfaces like aluminum parts on motorcycles. It makes it hard to repair or refinish the surface.