A process for coating a metal surface with a composition comprising at least one C 6 to C 1 0 carboxylic acid, at least one citric acid ester, and an organic solvent, said process comprising applying the composition to the metal surface in an amount of 5 to 350 mg/m 2 by a method selected from the group consisting of electrostatic deposition, spraying, immersion coating, and roller coating.