A hydrophobic coating and a method for applying such a coating to a surface of a substrate. The method includes applying a coating composition to the surface and heating the coated surface at a cure temperature from about 450° C. to about 600° C. for a time from about 8 hours to about 48 hours. The coating composition is applied to the surface by an application method selected from the group consisting of flowing, dipping, and spraying. The coating composition comprises a yttrium compound, an additive selected from the group consisting of a cerium compound and a dispersion of yttrium oxide nanoparticles, a water-soluble polymer, and a solvent solution of de-ionized water and a water-soluble alcohol.