The invention is a coating and a method for applying coatings to fiber reinforced composite materials. A first polymeric layer, free of fibers and particulate, coats a fiber reinforced polymer substrate. The first layer joins the fiber reinforced polymer substrate to a second polymeric layer. The second polymeric layer contains a polymeric matrix and a particulate within the polymeric matrix. Finally, at least one thermally sprayed material coats the second polymeric layer to form an adherent multi-layer coating attached to the fiber reinforced.