A chromating liquid for forming a chromate film on a Zn or Zn-alloy plated steel sheet, is prepared by adding and mixing a silane coupling agent in a molar ratio of from 0.05 to 0.3 relative to Cr.sup.6+ contained in an aqueous chromating liquid which contains 1-30 g/l of Cr.sup.6+ and 1-30 g/l of Cr.sup.3+ at a weight ratio of Cr.sup.6+ /Cr.sup.3+ ranging from 0.1 to 2.0; and further contains 1-59 g/l of hydrofluoric acid and 1-59 g/l of phosphoric acid at total of hydrofluoric acid and phosphoric acid ranging from 2 to 60 g/l and at a weight ratio of (fluoride ions+phosphate ions)/Cr.sup.3+ ranging from 0.5 to 3.5. and, further said chromating liquid is applied on a surface of the zinc-based plated steel sheet and is then dried, thereby forming the chromate film having a coating amount of from 10 to 150 mg/m.sup.2 in terms of the chromium.