Catalyst compounds for water-based two-component coating compositions include: I) an organo-metal catalyst for a curing reaction between isocyanate groups and functional groups reactive towards isocyanate groups and II) an oligomeric or polymeric binder compound having a glass transition temperature Tg of ≧20° C., measured by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) at a heating rate of 10 K/min. The glass transition temperature Tg of binder compound II) is above the temperature at which a water-based two-component coating composition comprising the catalyst compound is applied, preferably is at least 10° C., more preferred at least 20° C., above the temperature at which the two-component coating composition is applied.