but is there a way to just 100% solid limit the voltage to a desired value? So whenever a spike happens, the component just shaves it off clean.
Depends on your definition of "clean". Most diodes or zvs or zeners allow some degree of variations above their rated levels, more or less.
I mean, all the tutorials on the web are talking about Zener diodes regulating voltage. When in reality they are quite loose. On this one that was rated 4.3V, it can go all the way to 5.0V and even higher.
That's how they are.
A "cleaner" solution would be a voltage reference, like tl431. However, those devices have limited ability to absorb shocks (fast / large transients).