Proposed is a method of applying a zinc coating to metallic articles by thermal diffusion galvanization. Articles to be treated and a two-component zinc mixture are loaded into a hermetically sealed container, the cavity of the container is filled with an inert gas, and heating is carried out. The first component of the mixture, in the form of a powder of acicular zinc having a size of 3-5 μm, is loaded directly into the container, and the second component, in the form of a powder of spherical zinc having a size of 20-25 μm, is loaded into a capsule having walls which disintegrate at a temperature of 400±20° C., which is placed in the container at the same time as the articles to be treated. A flux is loaded into the container, and an inert process gas and an activating agent for intensifying the adhesion process are supplied.