The invention relates to a method for coating surfaces of metal objects, especially as a pre-treatment for cold deformation or as a pre-treatment for a metal-rubber compound or to adjust friction coefficients in connection elements, used in connection elements such as screws for screwing purposes. The invention is characterised in that the optionally, already pre-coated metal objects are coated with a composition containing an aqueous, acidic phosphate, said composition containing 8-50 g/L phosphate as PO4, 0.5-30 g/L zinc ions, 0-5 g/L manganese ions, 0-8 g/L calcium ions, 0-5 g/L magnesium ions, whereby at least 0.1 g/L of calcium or/and magnesium ions are provided, 0.1-5 g/L nitroguanidine, 0.1-8 g/L chlorate or/and peroxide ions and 0-16 g/L complex fluoride (MeF4 or/and MeF6) of Me=B, Si, Ti, Hf or/and Zr and 0-5 g/L fluoride ions, whereby the total amount of complex fluoride and fluoride ions ranges from 0.1-18 g/L. The invention also relates to a phosphating method wherein the ratio of removal by pickling in relation to the layer weight of the phosphate layer is less than 75%. The invention further relates to a corresponding aqueous phosphating solution.