A method for manufacturing a sheet metal component including: annealing a flat steel product comprising 0.05-0.5% C, 0.5-3% Mn, 0.06-1.7% Si, ≤0.06% P, ≤0.01% S, ≤1.0% Al, ≤0.15% Ti, ≤0.6% Nb, ≤0.01% B, ≤1.0% Cr, ≤1.0% Mo, ≤1.0% Cr+Mo, ≤0.2% Ca, ≤0.1% V, remainder iron and impurities in a continuous furnace under an atmosphere consisting of 0.1-15% hydrogen and remainder nitrogen with a specific dew point and temperature profile; applying a coating consisting of ≤15% Si, ≤5% Fe, in total 0.1-5% of at least one alkaline earth or transition metal and a remainder Al and unavoidable impurities; heating the flat steel product to >Ac3 and ≤1000° C. for a time sufficient to introduce a heat energy quantity >100,000-800,000 kJs; hot-forming the flat steel product to form the component; and cooling at least one section of the component at a cooling rate sufficient to generate hardening structures.