desired an optional step of acidic desmutting at block 36 may be performed next for smut removal in a presently preferred embodiment acidic desmutting at the block 36 is not performed however depending upon the metal 54 employed the block 36 may provide desired additional surface treatment when the block 36 is performed a rinse follows at block 37 following the metal surface preparation process 22 is the sol gel preparation and application process 24 the sol gel preparation and application process 24 includes preparation of the sol gel at a block 38 and application of an aqueous solution of a sol gel to the metal 54 at a block 40 in a presently preferred embodiment the sol gel is a mixture of a zirconium alkoxide such as zirconium n propoxide 3 glycidoxy propyltrimethoxysilane glacial acetic acid and a surfactant in a presently preferred embodiment the surfactant is suitably antarox bl 240 from rhodia however other surfactants are considered within the scope of this invention such as without limitation tomadol 91 8 application of sol gel coating to the parts at the block 40 is preferably completed within about 8 hours of completion of surface preparation process 22 at block 40 the sol gel solution is suitably applied to a part by spray drenching the sol gel solution onto the.