Light-transmitting and/or coated article with removable protective coating and methods of making the same

A method and coating is provided to temporarily protect a substrate or article during shipping, handling or storage by applying a removable protective coating on at least a portion of the substrate. The substrate may be curved or curved and may have zero, one or more functional coatings. A plurality of substrates can be arranged with the protective coating present in a shipping container so that the protective coating reduces the possibility of damage to the substrate or optional functional coating. In one embodiment, the protective coating is the product of evaporation or reaction of an aqueous coating composition containing a polyvinyl alcohol polymer which can then be removed by aqueous washing, thermal decomposition or combustion. In another embodiment, the protective coating is formed by cathodically depositing a substantially carbon coating on the substrate. The carbon coating is then removed by combustion. The protective coating may have identification materials, such as dyes or fragrance materials, such that different types of substrates and / or functional coatings can be distinguished from each other. In addition, the temporary protective coating can improve the heating of a glass substrate with functional coating.