Coating-compositions comprise a solution of at least 15 DEG B<\>ae of an alkali metal silicate containing 1,5 to 3,5 mols of silica per mol. of alkali oxide, together with up to 2 per cent of an organic wetting agent which is compatible with the solution. Suitable wetting agents are substituted naphthalene sulphonic acids or their salts or similar sulphonic acids (or salts) of higher hydrocarbons, sulphonated oils or salts thereof, higher carboxylic acids or their salts, saponins, bile acids or their salts, aldehydes, esters, and high-boiling alcohols. Specified wetting agents are sodium butylnaphthalenesulphonate, sodium benzylnaphthalenesulphonate, sulphonated olive oil, sodium ricincleate, sodium linoleate, sulphonated fish oil, sulphonated sulphurized petroleum oil, acetaldehyde, sulphonated castor oil potassium salt, ammonium palm-olive soap, sulphonated corn oil, triethanolamine salt of sulphonated cottonseed oil, oleic acid, potassium resinate, amyl alcohol, amyl acetate, butyl acetate, cyclohexyl formate, and butyl alcohol. The solutions may also contain thickening agents such as flour, soya bean meal, or clay. The solutions may be used for coating the inner surfaces of steel drums and generally as coating-compositions and paint vehicles. The Specification disclaims compositions comprising (1) kaolin or the like, sodium silicate and amyl alcohol; (2) a pigment, waterglass, alkaline lye, cement, and varnish, linseed oil, or turpentine oil; (3) talc or like earthy filling material, waterglass, wax, and aqueous soap solution; (4) waterglass, casein and camphor; or (5) waterglass, a filling composition or cement, and spirit varnish.ALSO:Adhesives and coating-compositions comprise a solution of at least 15 DEG B<\>ae. of an alkali metal silicate containing 1,5 to 3,5 mols. of silica per mol. of alkali oxide, together with up to 2 per cent of an organic wetting agent which is compatible with the solution. Suitable wetting agents are substituted naphthalenesulphonic acids or their salts or similar sulphonic acids (or salts) of higher hydrocarbons, sulphonated oils or salts thereof, higher carboxylic acids or their salts, saponins, bile acids or their salts, aldehydes, esters, and high-boiling alcohols. Specified wetting agents are sodium butylnaphthalenesulphonate, sodium benzylnaphthalenesulphonate, sulphonated olive oil, sodium ricinoleate, sodium linoleate, sulphonated fish oil, sulphonated sulphurized petroleum oil, acetaldehyde, sulphonated castor oil potassium salt, ammonium palm-olive soap, sulphonated corn oil, triethanolamine salt of sulphonated cottonseed oil, oleic acid, potassium resinate, amyl alcohol, amyl acetate, butyl acetate, cyclohexyl formate, and butyl alcohol. The solutions may also contain thickening agents such as flour, soya bean meal, or clay. The solutions may be used for joining insulating materials to enamelled steel sheets, as adhesives for waxed water-repellent paper, for coating the inner surfaces of steel drums, and generally as coating compositions and paint vehicles. The Specification disclaims compositions comprising (1) kaolin or the like, sodium silicate and amyl alcohol; (2) a pigment, waterglass, alkaline lye, cement, and varnish, linseed oil, or turpentine oil; (3) talc or like earthy filling material, waterglass, wax, and aqueous soap solution; (4) waterglass, casein and camphor; or (5) waterglass, a filling composition or cement, and spirit varnish.ALSO:Adhesives comprise a solution of at least 15 DEG B<\>ae. of an alkali metal silicate containing 1,5 to 3,5 mols. of silica per mol. of alkali oxide, together with up to 2 per cent of an organic wetting agent which is compatible with the solution. Suitable wetting agents are substituted naphthalene sulphonic acids or their salts or similar sulphonic acids (or salts) of higher hydrocarbons, sulphonated oils or salts thereof, higher carboxylic acids or their salts, saponins, bile acids or their salts, aldehydes, esters, and high-boiling alcohols. Specified wetting agents are sodium butylnaphthalenesulphonate, sodium benzylnaphthalenesulphonate, sulphonated olive oil, sodium ricinoleate, sodium linoleate, sulphonated fish oil, sulphonated sulphurized petroleum oil, acetaldehyde, sulphonated castor oil, potassium salt, ammonium palm-olive soap, sulphonated corn oil, triethanolamine salt of sulphonated cottonseed oil, oleic acid, potassium resinate, amyl alcohol, amyl acetate, butyl acetate, cyclohexyl formate, and butyl alcohol. The solutions may also contain thickening agents such as flour, soya bean meal, or clay. The solutions may be used for joining insulating materials to enamelled steel sheets or as adhesives for waxed water-repellent paper. The Specification disclaims compositions comprising (1) kaolin or the like, sodium silicate and amyl alcohol; (2) a pigment, waterglass, alkaline lye, cement, and varnish, linseed oil, or turpentine oil; (3) talc or like earthy filling material, waterglass, wax, and aqueous soap solution; (4) waterglass, casein and camphor; or (5) waterglass, a filling composition or cement, and spirit varnish.