A method for the selective or complete rendering inert of substrates, workpieces, and components of the apparatus in the chemical deposition of metals by depositing nonreactive coatings thereon. A coating which is nonreactive with respect to the subsequent plating is electrolytically deposited on the sites of the substrate which are not to be plated from a solution containing an activator and an electrolyte. The inert, nonreactive coating is removable by means of dilute acids or alkaline media, without manual effort, after the subsequent chemical plating of the substrates, workpieces, or unit parts.