<p>Copper–zinc alloys are prone to surface corrosion in harsh environments, leading to functional degradation and limited service life. A novel approach combining micro-arc oxidation (MAO) with silicone oil heat treatment is developed to fabricate a durable hydrophobic coating on copper–zinc alloys, enhancing corrosion resistance. A porous microstructure incorporating ZrO₂ nanoparticles is constructed in situ via MAO, followed by sealing with dimethyl silicone oil and heat treatment to reduce surface energy. The coating predominantly consists of CuO, ZnO, Al₂O₃, ZrO₂, and SiO₂. Compared to the substrate, the hydrophobic coating exhibits a four-order-of-magnitude reduction in corrosion current density, a water contact angle increased from 64.1° to 139.2°, and adhesion energy decreased from 45.33&#xa0;mJ/m² to 3.55&#xa0;mJ/m². It maintains a contact angle above 120° after 150 tape peeling tests, demonstrating robust hydrophobicity and durability. This study provides an efficient and economical method for fabrication of hydrophobic coating on copper–zinc alloy.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>