The present invention refers to a method of making an copper-free article having a metal coating deposited on a substrate comprising: providing a substrate; contacting a surface of said substrate with a solution comprising: at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of Ce, Pr, Nd, Eu, Er, Ga, W, Al, Mn, Mo, Sb, Te, La, Sm or their mixtures; and applying a metal coating on said surface of said substrate. In another embodiment the present invention refers to a method of making a metal coated article: providing a substrate; contacting a surface of said substrate with a solution comprising a mixture of more than one metal ion selected from the same group as listed above; or contacting said surface of said substrate with more than one solution comprising in each solution at least one metal ion selected from the same group; and applying a metal coating on said surface of said substrate. Moreover, the present invention refers to a method of making a metal coated article comprising: providing a substrate; contacting a surface of said substrate with a solution comprising a Bi metal ion, and applying a metal coating on said activated surface of said substrate. Furthermore an article obtainable by any of said methods, is claimed.