The invention relates to a procedure for applying a coating with metallic or ceramic finish on the entirety or part of the surface of a thermoplastic, metallic or metallic alloy article, which comprises: preparing the thermoplastic, metallic, or metallic alloy article; applying on the article a base polymeric layer based on aqueous dispersions of resins without volatile organic components or on dispersions in organic solvents of resins without urethane; curing the base polymeric layer; and depositing a single layer of a metallic or ceramic material on the article coated with the cured base polymeric layer. The curing of the base polymeric layer is carried out at a temperature of between 30 and 80° C. in the case of thermal polymeric layers, or by means of ultraviolet radiation in the case of photosensitive polymeric layers. Optionally, a second transparent polymeric layer can be applied for protective purposes. This coating confers a metallic or ceramic appearance on the articles, as desired, as well as resistance to chemical corrosion and to external effects due to changes in weather and the mechanical friction produced in daily use.