The composition and manufacturing process of a three-layer anticorrosive cool coating for oil storage tanks are introduced. The optical, indoor thermal and physicochemical properties were systematically investigated. In addition, the outdoor cooling effect and the reduction of evaporation losses of crude oil were predicted. The coating developed has high solar reflectance and thermal emittance and thus good indoor and outdoor temperature reduction effects. The unique structural design and the careful selection of ingredients endow the coating with low thermal conductivity and good resistance to dirt, weather, salt spray and chemicals. The selected epoxy functional saline couple agent creates a chemical bridge between the coating's binder and the surface of carbon steel substrates and improves the adhesion of the coating. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.