Process for metallizing nonconductive plastic surfaces

Process for metallizing electrically nonconductive plastic surfaces of articles, comprising the process steps of:

• A) etching the plastic surface with an etching solution Error! Reference source not found. comprising:
• a) one or more chlorate ion sources,
• b) one or more vanadium compounds, and
• c) sulphuric acid;
• B) treating the plastic surface with a solution of a metal colloid or of a compound of a metal, the metal being selected from the metals of transition group I of the Periodic Table of the Elements and transition group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and
• C) metallizing the plastic surface with a metallizing solution.