The invention relates to a method for producing a hydrophobic coating for condensers used for obtaining dropwise condensation. In said method, a coating agent comprising a liquid solvent and at least one coating material is applied to the condenser in a wet chemical process. The coating material is selected from among the group encompassing sol-gel materials based on silicon oxide sol, fluorocarbon polymers, silicones, and/or polyurethane-forming components. The solid content of the sol-gel material based on silicon oxide sol ranges from > 0.5 wt.% to = 20 wt.%, and/or the fluorocarbon content ranges from > 0.1 wt.% to = 5 wt.%, and/or the solid content of silicone ranges from > 5 wt.% to = 30 wt.%, and/or the content of polyurethane-forming components ranges from > 3 wt.% to = 30 wt.%, the percentages being in relation to the total weight of the coating agent.