A printed wiring board comprising conductive layers separated by nonconductive material and having through holes or other nonconductive surfaces on which an electrically conductive carbon coating is formed. The conductive carbon coating includes electrically conductive carbon having a mean particle size not greater than about 1 micron and a water-dispersible organic binding agent. The conductive carbon coating formed on the nonconductive surfaces has a low electrical resistance and is tenacious enough to be plated and exposed to molten solder without creating voids or losing adhesion.