The performance of carbon cloth electrodes with a pyrolytic graphite coating deposited on their surface is reported. Cyclic voltammograms recorded with treated and untreated cloth, in the −0·9 to +0·9 V (versus Ag/AgCl) potential range, are compared. The extremely high residual currents observed on untreated cloth electrodes are absent after pretreatment; the latter maintain flat base lines even after repeated potential cycling. Optimum conditions for the pyrolytic process are recommended.