Metal coating of objects using plasma polymerisation

A method for applying a metal on a substrate comprises: a) applying a coating by treatment in a plasma, comprising a compound selected from alkanes up to 1 0 carbon atoms, and unsaturated monomers, and b l ) producing polymers on the surface of said substrate, said polymers comprising carboxylic groups and adsorbed ions of a second metal, reducing said ions to the second metal, or alternatively b2) producing polymers on the surface, bringing the surface of said substrate in contact with a dispersion of colloidal metal particles of at least one second metal, and c) depositing said first metal on said second metal. Advantages include that materials sensitive to for instance low pH or solvents can be coated. Substrates including glass, Si02 with very few of no abstractable hydrogen atoms as well as polymer materials containing halogen atoms can be coated with good adhesion.