Use of preformed reaction products of catechol compounds and functionalized co-reactant compounds to reduce oxidation of bare metal surfaces

A method, comprising a step a) comprising contacting a bare metal substrate surface with an aqueous mixture comprised of at least one water soluble, preformed reaction product of at least one catechol compound and at least one co-reactant compound comprising at least one oligomeric or polymeric amine compound having a number average molecular weight of 500 to 2,000,000 g/mol comprising a plurality of repeating units having structure —[CH2CH2NH]— to provide a pre-rinsed metal substrate surface, and a step b) comprising conversion coating the pre-rinsed metal substrate surface to provide a conversion-coated metal substrate;

• wherein the at least one catechol compound includes at least one amino-functionalized catechol compound or salt thereof and the at least one co-reactant compound includes at least one (meth)acryl-functionalized compound wherein a molar ratio of catechol compound(s) to functional groups in the co-reactant compound(s) reactive with the catechol compounds is from 1:0.05 to 1:25.