The influence of iron deposition and nickel flashing on the adherence of oxides to enameling‐grade sheet steel has been examined. Nickel flashing promotes oxide adherence, and a correlation between oxide adherence and adherence of a directly applied titania self‐opacified cover‐coat enamel has been established. Further work is necessary, however, to obtain a satisfactory enamel surface texture under these conditions before the direct application of a cover‐coat enamel can become a commercial possibility. Similarly, good adherence of a titania self‐opacified cover coat applied directly to steel has been promoted by nitric acid pickling with and without a nickel‐flashing treatment. Finally, the iron content of a hydrochloric acid pickling bath and the amount of hydrogen absorbed by the steel during pickling have been shown to influence the amount of nickel deposited on the steel duri