Indeed, I do think clear coat would keep it from patinaing

blink)...
Remember all the folks that put clear over their copper vein powder coat, on their REO's? My only concern would be scratching. If it got all scratched up, you'd have to strip it, and repaint. As you know, with the bare metal, you can just simply brush away the scratches, and patina, for that matter, with a scotch brite pad. If scratching the clear coat isn't a concern, I'd say go for it. As long as air and moisture can't get to the surface of the metal, it cannot patina...
