The influence of the surface application of active elements on the composition, morphology, adherence, and growth rate of oxide scales formed during high temperature exposure has been investigated. The active elements were applied as aqueous solutions of nitrate salts that were subsequently transformed into oxide. The active elements used were: Y, Ce, La, Hf, Ca, and Zr. The chromia-forming substrates used were AISI 304 and 310 stainless steels and IN 738, a nickel base alloy. To determine the effect of the minor alloying elements in stainless steels on the surface doping effect, Y was applied to three alloy modifications of AISI 304. The effect of the presence or absence of Mn and Si in the alloy on high temperature corrosion behavior was determined. Several different application techniques were used to determine which technique was most beneficial to the behavior of the oxide barrier scale. The application of Y, Ce, and La was found to enhance the oxidation resistance of the commercial stainless steels whereas no benefits were found for alloys with Hf, Ca, and Zr added to their surfaces. It was determined that Si had to be present in AISI 304 stainless steel for the enhancement of its oxidation resistance. There was no beneficial effect for modified 304 containing only Mn or neither Mn nor Si. The yttrium added and the untreated, modified AISI 304 with Si only showed more resistance to scale spallation than any other 304 alloy tested, modified or commercial.