The invented method of cladding a metal component includes creating a frit mixture in a defined ratio; wetting the mixture by adding a wetting agent in a defined volume; agitating the wetted mixture; applying the agitated mixture to a metal component by one or more processes; de-wetting the metal component having the applied mixture by gradually heating the same to a temperature from approximately 250 degrees Fahrenheit (.degree. F.) up to a high of approximately 450.degree. F.; and, fusing the de-wetted metal component at a temperature of no more than 125% of a defined withstand temperature for the clad metal component. Invented compositions can include one or more of liquid and/or colloidal sodium, potassium and/or lithium silicate, clay and/or clays, a compound of hollow micro-spheres (e.g. naturally occurring and nearly ubiquitous perlite and/or a synthetic hollow micro-sphere equivalent) and/or alumina or one or more flexible or malleable or resiliently deformable, impact-resistant materials such as plastomers, elastomers and/or other plastic, rubber, plastic-like or rubber-like materials; a wetting agent consisting of one or more of water or water and ethanol for fast drying under proper safety and venting conditions; and one or more surfactants and/or dispersants. A system and method for using the compositions and additives are also disclosed. An optional powder clad application method is included in the embodiment of the invention which method eliminates the de-wetting station(s) but makes it possible to add impact-resistant clad material for lower-temperature, higher-impact applications.