Spontaneous polymerization (S-Poly) is a novel process for forming protective polymer coatings on metals. The S-Poly mechanism on copper is discussed for one typical monomer system. Poly(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether methacrylate (EEM), a flexible monomer, was first introduced into a styrene/N-phenyl maleimide system that we had used for aluminum and steel. The effects of EEM on the composition, apparent molecular weight, thermal properties, and other properties of the coatings were studied with reflectance Fourier transform infrared, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and water-uptake and adhesion experiments. N-(4-Fluorophenyl) maleimide (4FMI), a strongly hydrophobic monomer, was further incorporated into the EEM copolymer for improved water impermeability. The resultant coatings, which included EEM and 4FMI units, showed good bonding strength to copper and better ductility and protective properties than other coatings in both corrosion and pinhole tests.