The present invention pertains to a method for attaching two surfaces to each other or coating a surface by providing a bioadhesive composition consisting of an aqueous solution of a bioadhesive polyphenolic protein derived from a byssus-forming mussel, and mixing said bioadhesive composition with a preparation comprising non-enzymatic oxidising periodate ions so that the concentration of periodate ions is at least 1.80 mmol/g in the final composition before applying the mixture to at least one of two surfaces to be attached to each other or coated or applying said composition and said periodate ions without any specific order, to at least one of two surfaces to be attached to each other or the surface to be coated, thereby mixing the bioadhesive composition and the periodate ions. The surfaces are then joined (if necessary) and left for sufficiently long time for curing to occur. The invention can be provided as a kit of parts comprising the MAP-solution, a preparation comprising the periodate ions and optionally a device to apply the compositions of the invention to surfaces that are to be attached to each other or coated.