Zirconium oxide-based conversion coatings (CCs) were prepared from hexafluorozirconic acid, H2ZrF6, with and without Cu(II) as an additive. The CCs were prepared on primary and recycled AA6060. The deposition mechanism, structure, electrochemical properties and effectiveness in protection against filiform corrosion (FFC) have been explored. In presence of Cu(II) additives, a two step deposition mechanism is observed, evidenced by open circuit potential (OCP) measurements and in situ dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (dEIS). Copper deposits predominantly as copper(II) hydroxyfluoride on the top surface, and metallic Cu at the metal/CC interface, as evidenced by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and glow-discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GD-OES). The presence of a Cu(II) additive induces a different distribution of the Zr oxide-based products. After deposition of a weak organic model coating, aluminium pretreated with the Cu(II)-containing system shows a 10-30% lower maximum filament length compared to the Cu(II)-free system in FFC tests, despite a ca. one order of magnitude higher cathodic activity of the former. The dataset contains raw data for reproducing the electrochemical measurements results and surface composition and structure. The data relative to the electrochemical characterization contain .txt files of open circuit potential and dynamic electrochemical impedance measurements. The data relative to the surface characterization contain .csv files for the GD-OES measurements, .vms file for the XPS measurement and .tif files for the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pictures.