An aqueous effect coating material, comprising (A) at least one water-soluble, -dilutable and/or -dispersible binder, (B) at least one effect pigment, and (C) at least one silicon compound of the general formula I [(E)nL]Si(R1)(R2)(R3)  (I) in which the index and the variables are defined as follows: n is an integer from 1 to 5; E is a reactive functional group; L is an at least divalent, linking, organic group; R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkoxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, cycloalkyl, alkyl or aryl radical; and R2 and R3 independently of one another are substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkoxy, alkoxy or aryloxy radicals or hydroxyl groups; preparation process, and its use.