Abstract: A method and composition for enameling ferrous objects which eliminates the necessity of pickling and nickel coating the ferrous object prior to enameling. The ferrous surface is merely cleaned and then a reactive fritted coating is applied to the clean surface. The chemical and physical properties of the reactive coating are such that the coating fuses at a relatively low temperature to provide a fused coating which chemically etches the underlying ferrous surface to provide a good bond between the two. The reactive coating should contain at least 5% of one or more adhesion promoting oxides, and at least 1% of the 5% mentioned consists of cupric oxide. A cover coat of a conventional frit may be applied over the reactive coating. During firing, the reactive coat melts first and bonds itself to the underlying ferrous surface, whereupon the cover coat fuses and forms the finished procelain enamel coating.