Abstract: An extremely effective agent for achieving optimum bonding between a nonprecious dental alloy and porcelain is painted onto the alloy in slurry form and fired to prepare the surface of the alloy for bonding to porcelain. The bonding agent includes major proportions of fine gold powder, porcelain, liquid flux and a minor amount of fine zirconium oxide. The liquid flux is a low fusing flux dissolved in a liquid vehicle, such as glycerine or an alcohol. Suitable fluxes are boron oxide and its salts. The flux reacts to the porcelain and with the oxides which are formed on the alloy during firing to produce a low solubility, highly tenacious, adherent intermediate layer of oxides to which porcelain will readily and firmly adhere during subsequent application and firing.