Processes and solutions for phosphating metal surfaces. The solutions are acidic aqueous phosphate solutions containing (a) from 0.1 to 1.5 g/l of zinc ion; (b) from 5 to 50 g/l of phosphate ion; (c) from 0.2 to 4 g/l of manganese ion; (d) at least 0.05 g/l of fluoride ion; (e) less than 0.5 g/l of chloride ion; and (f) a phosphating accelerator. The metal surface phosphated with the solution including galvanized steel, is free of white spots and is suitable for electrocoating.