A process is disclosed for preparing an iron workpiece containing at least 0.03% by weight carbon for a direct-on, onefire ceramic or enamel coat. A substantially continuous layer of substantially pure iron is electrodeposited on a surface of the carbon-rich iron workpiece from a liquid medium containing iron ions while using the workpiece as a cathode. The polarity of the electrodeposition is then reversed to remove some of the iron deposited and produce an exposed, fissured, textured surface in the pure iron layer. When a ceramic coat is conventionally applied over the fissured surface, it adheres well, even though the iron workpiece may contain appreciable amounts of carbon which normally would prevent such adherence for a direct-on ceramic coat. Optionally, the cathodic deposition of iron may comprise a deposition of a non-porous layer followed by an overlay of porous iron and/or take place from an aqueous medium having an acidic pH. A film of a covering metal such as nickel may also be deposited over the fissured layer prior to depositing the ceramic coat.