Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a coating agent that cures at room temperature. In order to provide a room-temperature-curing coating agent for preventing cathodic corrosion and for application as an aerosol or as brush-on paint, it is proposed that the coating agent be produced by the following method: a) Mixing 5 to 95 wt. % metal alkoxide with 5 to 95 wt. % metal pigment, b) Adding a solvent and up to 10 wt. % (relative to the amount of solid matter) of a catalyst, the catalyst being selected from the group consisting of Lewis acids, organic acids and bases, inorganic bases, functional silanes, in particular aminosilanes, inorganic acids, in particular sulphuric or phosphoric acid, phosphates or blocked phosphates, the coating agent being applied onto a metallic substrate and subsequently dried at room temperature.