High-velocity air–fuel (HVAF) spraying and detonation spraying (DS) methods are used to produce the Al–Cu–Fe–Sc coatings from a water-atomized powder on a low-carbon steel (Q235/SS330) substrate. X-ray diffraction phase analysis shows that the protective AlCuFeSc coatings produced by these methods contain different volume fractions of quasi-crystalline (QC) $i$-phase. Wear and friction behaviour of the produced AlCuFeSc coatings is studied in the dry and wet conditions depending on the loading type (quasi-static or dynamic) for various counter-bodies (Si$_{3}$N$_{4}$, WC–Co hard alloy, or 52100 bearing steel). The effects of the coating-surface roughness and the QC $i$-phase content are also analysed.