The present invention is drawn to a process for applying a multi-layer coating to at least a portion of a ferrous substrate. The process comprises the steps of: (a) providing a ferrous substrate; (b) applying to at least a portion of the ferrous substrate a film-forming composition that contains at least one of a corrosion inhibiting pigment and an electroconductive pigment; (c) curing the film-forming composition that was applied to the ferrous substrate in step (b); (d) forming the ferrous substrate into an end-use shape; (e) contacting at least a portion of the formed ferrous substrate with a treatment composition to yield a treated substrate; and (f) applying at least one coating composition to at least a portion of the treated substrate to form a coated substrate. The treatment composition comprises an aqueous solution of a polymer derived from vinylidene chloride.