The invention relates to a method of forming (rutile) titanium dioxide-coated platelet-like pigments in which hydrous titanium dioxide is deposited on platelet-like particles followed by calcining, comprising (a) effecting the titanium deposit in the presence of an α-hydroxy carboxylic acid, especially glycolic acid, or oxalic acid, and an amino acid, especially glycine, alanine, valine, aspartic acid (α-, β- and γ-form); or an amino acid; to the pigments obtained by the method and the use thereof. The method can work in the absence of exogenous metal and Ti(III). The rutile TiO2-coated substrate of the present invention has at least the same advantages and characteristics of a tin containing product which includes luster, color, color homogeneity and few small particle formation during manufacture.