Abstract: A method of pretreating and hot-dip coating aluminum or aluminum alloys on a chromium-containing steel strip to provide an improved coating comprising annealing final gauge steel strip in an oxygen excess atmosphere to produce a chromium-rich oxide on the surface and thereafter electrolytically descaling the strip in an aqueous salt solution to remove the oxide and to expose a chromium depleted surface of the strip. The strip is then transported to a coating line where it is heated to a temperature at or above the temperature of a bath of aluminum or aluminum alloy. A substantially hydrogen atmosphere is maintained over the bath while the dew point is maintained below minus 35.degree. C. The strip is then drawn through the bath to coat the strip.