Abstract: A surface film of oxide on iron or steel is converted to a corrosion-resistant film by treatment with a composition comprising an aqueous dispersion or emulsion of a synthetic binding agent and a complexing agent for the iron which is a polymeric esterification product of an aromatic oxycarboxylic acid containing phenolic groups and a substance selected from the group consisting of acid anhydrides and substituted acid anhydrides. Advantageously the composition further comprises a solution of a synthetic plastics material.