Systems and methods for automatic detection of defects in a coating of a component are provided. In one aspect, a coating inspection system is provided. The coating inspection system includes a heating element operable to impart heat to the component as it traverses relative thereto. An imaging device of the system captures images of the component as the heating element traverses relative to the component and applies heat thereto. The images indicate the transient thermal response of the component. The system can generate a single observation image using the captured images. The system can detect and analyze defects using the generated single observation image.