RDE voltammetry combined with SEM, EDS, XPS and XRD measurements was applied to study partial and net processes occurring in Cu(II) and Zn(II) gluconate solutions containing an excess of sulfate. Optimal plating baths contain sufficiently high gluconate concentrations ranging up to 0.1 M. To suppress hydrogen evolution, weakly acid or neutral media should be created. Compact brass coatings containing similar to 10-40% of Zn can be obtained over a fairly wide potential region (-0.97 < E-0.6 V) where the current efficiency ranges from 80 to 100%. At -0.86