Abstract: Aqueous compositions useful as pretreatments prior to painting to reduce the formation of rust in the uncoated condition. The compositions consist essentially of water, a trivalent chromium compound with the formula Cr(HxPO4)3, where x can be 1.5 or 2, a silica compound, and optionally hydrogen peroxide. The composition may have a pH between about 1 and about 4. A process for treating a metal surface includes contacting the surface with such aqueous compositions. The compositions and the processes provide benefits in comparison to the zinc phosphate metal pretreatment thought to be the standard in the industry.