The invention relates to a process for cationic electrodeposition coating using cationic water-dilutable binders comprising a water-soluble bismuth salt or chelate complex B, and a chain-extended epoxy-amine adduct EA which comprises moieties derived from epoxide compounds E2 having at least two epoxide groups per molecule, low molar mass epoxide compounds E3 having two epoxide groups per molecule, one or more of amidoamines A41 having at least one amide group and at least one amino group, made from amines A1 having at least two amino groups per molecule and a fatty acid A4, further amines A1, an amine A2 which has at least one secondary amino group per molecule, an amine A3 having at least one tertiary, and at least one primary amino group per molecule, fatty acids A4, and phenolic compounds A5 having at least two phenolic hydroxyl groups.