Abstract: The characteristics of surfaces of bodies made from a basic material (22) which is mouldable at low temperatures, such as concrete or concrete-like materials are improved by applying a layer of metal (12) to one or more surface parts thereof. The metal layer may be applied by moulding the basic material, optionally with reinforcements (23) against a prefabricated metal member (12) which may be a metal layer formed on a surface (21) of a model or a mould (20) whereby a metal-coated tool for casting or shaping articles corresponding to the model or mould may be made from the basic material.The mouldable material is, in particular, a material which in its cured state comprises a coherent matrix, the matrix comprising(A) homogenously arranged solid particles of a size of from about 50 .ANG. to about 0.5 .mu.m, or a coherent structure formed from such homogenously arranged particles, and(B) densely packed solid particles having a size of the order of 0.5-100 .mu.