The effects of the product of the reaction of epichlorohydrin with hexamethylenetetramine on the electrocrystallization of zinc from an alkaline zincate bath have been investigated by electrochemical methods, electronmicroscopic observation and X-ray diffraction. Zinc deposits from an alkaline zincate bath containing brightening agent exhibited a preferred orientation with the {1120} plane parallel to the substrate surface. These results were interepreted in the light of deformation twinning on the basal plane which caused the basal plane platelets to be aligned perpendicular to the substrate. The average size of the platelets was decreased by shifting the impressed potential in the less noble direction, which resulted in good surface smoothness and demonstrated the potential dependence of the adsorption of the brightening agent.