ADHERENT VACUUM VAPOR DEPOSITED ZINC COATINGS ARE PROVIDED FERROUS SUBSTRATES BY INITIALLY VACUUM VAPOR COATING THE SUBSTRATES WITH A FIRST METAL COMPRISING EITHER ALUMINUM OR MAGNESIUM AND THEREAFTER VACUUM VAPOR COATING THE SUBSTRATES WITH ZINC. THE TEMPERATURE OF A SUBSTRATE DURING THE COATING PROCEDURE AND THE ELAPSED TIME BETWEEN APPLICATION OF THE SUCCESSIVE COATINGS ARE CONTROLLED WITHIN CRITICAL LIMITS.