Abstract: The invention relates to surface-modified metal effect pigments, which are covered are with a metal oxide layer, wherein a silane layer which has at least two different bifunctional silanes is bonded to this layer. The invention is particularly suitable for metal effect pigments of aluminium, titanium, zirconium, copper, zinc, gold, silver, tin, steel and iron, in particular aluminium pigments. In addition the invention also relates to a process for the production of the surface-modified metal effect pigments and use thereof in water-based, solvent-based or radiation-curing coating compositions.