To make the preparation of zinc coatings easier and more reproducible, and to improve the images for structure interpretation, the following recommendations for automatic grinding and polishing can be made: - Despite varying hardness, all groups of zinc coatings can be automatically prepared using the same method. - The main prerequisite for a successful polish is a good mount without shrinkage gaps between resin and sample. - Fine grinding with diamond on rigid disc gives excellent flatness. -Waterfree diamond suspensions and lubricants keep the zinc coatings from staining. - Silk cloths keep the coatings flat during polishing. - All cleaning steps during polishing have to be carried out with ethanol denatured with isopropyl alcohol. The given preparation method can be used as a base for further customising the grinding and polishing procedure in individual laboratories, depending on the variety of coatings to be polished.