Compositions for preparing coatings on metal substrates include a phosphonic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, an optional catalyst, and optionally an organo-functional silane. The catalyst may be a group IV-B compound, a boron compound, a vanadium compound, or a molybdenum compound. The compositions may be applied from an aqueous carrier to a metal surface and then dried to form a coating imparting good paint adhesion and corrosion resistance to the metal substrate.