Abstract: This invention relates generally to an article that includes a base substrate, an intermediate layer including at least one element or compound selected from titanium, chromium, indium, zirconium, tungsten, and titanium nitride on the base substrate, and a hydrophobic coating on the base substrate, wherein the hydrophobic coating includes a rare earth element material (e.g., a rare earth oxide, a rare earth carbide, a rare earth nitride, a rare earth fluoride, and/or a rare earth boride). An exposed surface of the hydrophobic coating has a dynamic contact angle with water of at least about 90 degrees. A method of manufacturing the article includes providing the base substrate and forming an intermediate layer coating on the base substrate (e.g., through sintering or sputtering) and then forming a hydrophobic coating on the intermediate layer (e.g., through sintering or sputtering).