Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

August, 2004

Painting or Plating Aluminum

Q. I am now etching on cake pan lids (with a sandblaster). I am not satisfied with the 3 choices of colors that nordic ware offer and would like to paint my own aluminum lids the colors of my choice. I have only seen one site that offered more colors and the site says that the lids are plate colored. Is this something that I could do myself? It has to be oven and dishwasher proof. If you can't give info on this subject could you point me in the right direction?

I am unfamiliar with the term plate colors.

It sounds as if the site that you found is offering "Plating" colors, and not plate colors. Plating is a process where the color is electrochemically plated or applied onto the aluminum as in Anodizing. If this is true, then I must say that this is not something that can be done by the hobbyist.

This is a very elaborate process, and is best left to the professionals. You should investigate the plating industry a little further to see what they may have to offer.

Best wishes,

Jim Burke