Abstract: The corrosion sensing or detecting composition and method of the present invention preferably includes an aqueous gel that is adapted as a temporary coating for a surface of a material and that includes at least one composition that changes its appearance in response to corrosion occurring on the surface of the material. In a variation of the preferred embodiment, the at least one composition is further adapted to change color in response to a change in hydrogen ion concentration proximate to the surface of the material. The present invention is also directed to a vehicle, such as an aircraft, a spacecraft, an automotive vehicle, an amphibious vehicle, a boat, and a ship, that is prepared for corrosion inspection. The vehicle and method for inspecting the vehicle preferably include a painted material surface with the paint removed for application of a removable corrosion-detecting coating that changes its appearance in response to corrosion occurring on the surface.