Abstract: In a method of galvanizing a portion only of a ferrous metal article, in particular for galvanizing one side only of a thin flat ferrous metal strip, the material used for forming a protective coating on the part of the article not to be galvanized is a suspension comprising a liquid suspending vehicle consisting of water and from 5 to 20% by weight, preferably from 6 to 16%, of the powdered hydrated form of magnesium silicate known as talc. The suspension preferably also includes a bonding or etching agent to increase the adherence of the coating to the article, a wetting agent to facilitate spreading of the coating, a thickener to facilitate the suspension of the powdered material and a defoamer if necessary.