A corrosion-resistant coating for a substrate is described. The corrosion-resistant coating comprises a first distinct layer of a first composition disposed over the substrate, wherein the first distinct layer has a thickness that is not greater than about 10 microns, and a second distinct layer of a second composition disposed over the first distinct layer, wherein the second distinct layer has a thickness that is not greater than about 10 microns and either the first distinct layer or the second distinct layer is corrosion-resistant. Preferably, the thickness of each distinct layer is less than about 1 or 2 microns, more preferably, less than about 0.4 microns. The coating may comprise additional layers. Corrosion-resistant articles, methods of protecting an articles, and methods of depositing corrosion-resistant coatings are also described.