The present invention provides a process for improving the corrosion resistance of a non-stick coating on a substrate by applying a base coat to the substrate. The base coat comprises a liquid composition of heat resistant non-fluoropolymer binder and inorganic filler particles wherein the inorganic particles have an average particle size of no greater than about 2 micrometers. The liquid composition is applied to a substrate with a dry film thickness of at least about 10 micrometers, preferably about 10 to about 35 micrometers, and dried to obtain the base coat. A non-stick coating is applied over the base coat. The heat resistant non-fluoropolymer binder is preferably selected from the group consisting of polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polyether sulfone (PES), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and a mixture thereof. More preferably the non-fluoropolymer binder comprises a polyamideimide having a number average molecular weight of at least about 15,000.