Abstract: This invention relates to a method of hot-dip coating a ferrous strand. The strand is passed through a furnace in which the strand is heated, passed through a second furnace in which the strand is subjected to a reducing atmosphere and then passed through a protective hood and into the molten bath of aluminum-zinc alloy. A preheated reducing gas is introduced into the protective hood so as to sweep across and cover the surface of the molten bath within such hood prior to passing upwardly through it and the second furnace countercurrent to the movement of the strand. The preheated reducing gas has a temperature of at least 750.degree. F, a dew point no greater then 0.degree. F and is composed of at least 20% by volume of hydrogen, balance essentially nitrogen.