A process for the production of base coat/clear coat multi-layer coatings in an A′ color shade wherein the base coat layer is applied in a first layer from a water-borne base coat AB and in a second layer from a water-borne base coat A with low hiding power and having a color shade A′, wherein the water-borne base coat AB is a mixture of the water-borne base coat A and a water-borne base coat B with sufficient hiding power.