Inorganic coating and composition

A precursor composition, as an aqueous slurry or suspension, the precursor composition comprising the presence of:

• at least one sparingly soluble metal oxide/hydroxide having a solubility constant of 10−4 or smaller in aqueous media;
• at least one sparingly soluble inorganic mineral having a solubility constant of 10−4 or smaller in aqueous media;
• at least one soluble basic inorganic salt having a solubility constant of 10−3 or greater in aqueous media;
• and
• at least one hydrophobic agent, wherein the hydrophobic agent is of the general formula (I) or (II) or (III):
• where:
• R1, R2, R3, and R4 are, independently, hydrogen, C1-20 alkyl, phenyl, aryl;
• where alkyl includes straight-chain, branched, cyclic or acylic alkyl, or haloalkyl;
• Y2, and Y3 is, independently, hydroxyl, C1-4 alkoxy, phenoxide, or halogen;
• or, Y1, Y2, and Y3 is, independently, an alkali metal salt, an ammonium salt, an alkylammonium salt, a phenylammonium salt, or an alklyphenylammonium salt of Si—OH;
• b is 0-21;
• n is about 1,000 to about 1,000,000;
• and
• m is 0 to about 1,000;
• wherein the precursor composition is absent an acidic phosphate precursor.