Various metal coatings have been used for many years to inhibit oxidation of metals exposed to the natural elements of the atmosphere over a period of time. Terne alloy coatings which normally contain about 20% tin and about 80% lead are some of the most popular metal coating treatments to resist corrosion. The special formulation of the present invention reformulates the terne coating to constitute a tin and lead based coating where tin constitutes at least 90% of the terne and lead amounts to less than 0.1% and preferably less than 0.05% of the terne. The low lead terne coating may also include antimony and bismuth to provide strength and hardness to the low lead terne formulation having corrosion resistive qualities similar to that of standard terne coating formulations.