Abstract: A process for the multi-layer coating of electrically conductive substrates by the electrophoretic deposition of a first coating layer comprising an electrophoretically depositable aqueous coating medium, to which a second coating layer, comprising a first color- and/or effect-imparting base lacquer coating medium, is applied wet-into-wet, and the first and second coating layers thus obtained are stoved jointly, whereupon a third coating layer comprising a second color- and/or effect-imparting base lacquer coating medium is applied and a fourth coating layer comprising a clear lacquer coating medium is applied wet-into-wet thereto and the third and fourth coating layers are stoved jointly, wherein the total dry coat thickness of the second and third coating layers produced from the base lacquer coating media is between 15 and 40 .mu.m and the proportion of the second coating layer is between 20 and 50% of the total dry coat thickness of the second and third coating layers.