Abstract: Methods of improving the thickness and characteristics of galvanizing processes are disclosed. Several methods are disclosed which promote growth of the .zeta. layer in a double dipping galvanizing process. In one process a metal article is dipped in a molten-zinc bath at 430.degree.-480.degree. C. The article is then air-cooled or semi-air-cooled before it is dipped in a molten zinc bath containing no less than 0.1% aluminum at 390.degree.-460.degree. C. In another method, after molten-zinc-plating a metal article at 480.degree.-500.degree. C., the article is plated in a molten zinc bath containing no less than 0.1% of aluminum at 390.degree.-460.degree. C. In a third method, the surface of a metal article is blasted to form a surface having a roughness of at least 20 .mu.m before plating the article in a molten-zinc bath at 430.degree.-480.degree. C. The article is then plated in a molten zinc bath containing no less than 0.1% of aluminum at 390.degree.-450.degree. C.