Zinc and zinc calcium phosphate coatings on steel were formed by dipping in commercial baths. A surface activation with titanium phosphate influences not only the film morphology but also the composition of the conversion films. Qualitative phase analysis of the polycrystalline deposits reveals a typical phosphophyllite crystal growth apart from hopeite and scholzite respectively. The growth rate depends on the free surface of the steel; the contact area to the solution controls the rate of iron pickling.