Abstract: A substrate is spray coated with a composition containing an epoxy resin-modified polyester binder which is water-dilutable upon base neutralization of the free carboxyl groups and is prepared via the reaction of A) a polyester containing (cyclo)aliphatic groups having at least six carbon atoms derived from (a.sub.1) a polycarboxylic acid with at least three carboxyl groups and/or (a.sub.2) a polyol with at least one carboxyl group, and (a.sub.3) a polycarboxylic acid with two carboxyl groups and (a.sub.4) a polyol; and (B) a bisphenol epoxy resin.