Methods for electrochemical deposition of a metal coating on a metal substrate are described. The method may use an ionic liquid as an electrolyte, and the substrate may comprise a first metallic element. Method steps may include pretreating the substrate by etching in an ionic liquid containing metal ions of a second metallic element, removing metal ions of the first metallic element from the substrate, wherein the metal ions of the first metallic element are received by the ionic liquid, depositing a transition layer on the substrate from the ionic liquid, wherein metal ions of the first and second metallic elements are incorporated in the transition layer, and depositing a coating on the transition layer by electrochemical deposition from an ionic liquid containing ions of the second metallic element.