Activation of metal surfaces prior to phosphating can be improved by using aqueous dispersions of polymeric titanium(IV) phosphates in which at least 95% by weight of the polymeric particles have a particle diameter of less than 200 nm. This low particle diameter is attained by adding a titanium(IV)-complexing agent before or during an otherwise conventional reaction between a titanium(IV) compound, acid or phosphate, and water. The complexing agent is used in an amount of less than the stoichiometric amount, based on the titanium(IV) content. The best complexing agents are poly(aldehydocarboxylic acids), 1,1-diphosphonic acids, and/or the alkali metal salts of these types of acids.