High-velocity air fuel (HVAF) spraying is used to produce an Al–Cu–Fe quasi-crystalline (QC) coating from a water-atomized powder on a low-carbon steel (A284Gr.D/SS330). As shown, HVAF method shows a good efficiency in the production of protective coatings with acceptable porosity, needed thickness, sufficiently high mechanical characteristics, and anti-corrosion properties. As shown, HVAF process allows controlling the volume fraction of Al$_{63}$Cu$_{25}$Fe$_{12}$ quasi-crystalline phase in the produced coating. The produced QC coating possesses a high cohesion strength ($\cong$ 565 MPa) and good adhesion to the steel substrate providing avoidance of the coating detachment at bending. As shown, the Al$_{63}$Cu$_{25}$Fe$_{12}$ quasi-crystalline coating has satisfactory resistance and hindered formation of surface corrosion damage in artificial sea water due to the formation of a passivating oxide film based on aluminium oxide.