Uncoated defects in hot dip metal-coated steel products result from non-wetting of the steel surface by the molten alloy. The occurrence of uncoated defects is highly detrimental to product quality and production efficiency; uncoated defects compromise the appearance and anti-corrosion performance of hot dip metal-coated steel products and causes time delays in the application of subsequent surface treatments. Although many studies have been directed towards evaluating the effect of steel pre-heat temperature and oxidation on the formation of uncoated defects, fewer investigations have analysed how oil-derived residues remaining on steel surface following the cold rolling and furnace cleaning processes impact upon hot dip metallic coating quality. Furthermore, although a considerable amount of research has focussed on the process of deposit formation in lubricants used in other applications, the composition of oily residues remaining after the continuous annealing process, and the origins of these residues in the original rolling oil formulation, are poorly understood. The primary focus of the present work has been to gain an improved understanding of relationships between cold rolling oil composition, oil residue-formation characteristics and the occurrence of uncoated defects in 55Al-43.4Zn-1.6Si hot dip metallic coatings. Several key classes of rolling oil ingredients which decompose to leave high levels of thermally-stable residue have been identified. The thermal decomposition processes undergone by a variety ingredients within these classes have been studied under both oxidising and reducing conditions using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry (PDSC) techniques, with chemical characterisation of the decomposition process and the resultant thermally-stable residue by infrared spectroscopy. Model blends of each ingredient in a typical cold rolling oil base ester have also been evaluated by TGA and PDSC to identify the impact of ingredient concentration and chemical structure on the amount of oily residue formed. The results of these investigations have been related to the impact of the ingredients on 55Al-43.4Zn-1.6Si hot dip metallic coating quality through the performance of industrial-scale hot dipping trials and hot dip simulation studies. In order to translate these results into a context more closely aligned with industrial conditions, the effect of processing variables, including furnace atmosphere and the availability/concentration of iron in contact with the rolling oil at the steel surface, on the decomposition process of a fully-formulated commercial cold rolling oil has also been investigated. The information gained can potentially be used to tailor operating conditions within the cold rolling/continuous hot dip metallic coating processes to enhance steel surface cleanliness. Finally, the deposit-forming tendencies of an array of different commercial cold rolling oils have been evaluated, leading to the development of a thermal analysis-based test for screening cold rolling oils with respect to their likely impact upon 55Al-43.4Zn-1.6Si hot dip metallic coating quality. This test, together with the understanding obtained on the effect of different rolling oil ingredients on hot dip metallic coating quality, can be used within the industry to formulate improved cold rolling oils.