Surfaces on Aluminum

Photo of Rauschenberg Art Car
By Davidwiz (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Robert Rauschenberg's BMW Art Car

This BMW Art Car by Robert Rauschenberg made its first appearance in 1986.  Rauschenberg used photographic methods to transfer his images on enameled aluminum.  He was considered an innovative artist that transitioned from Abstract Expressionism to Pop Art, using non-traditional materials in developing his art, including sculptures.  Rauschenberg also worked as a photographer, printmaker and papermaker.

The BMW Art Cars are very interesting and also a perfect example of artistic patterns on aluminum surfaces.  The Art Car adds a creative element to the automotive world that can otherwise be overlooked, bringing the creative element into the forefront.

We have created an aluminum surface collection which was inspired by Pop Art and Robert Rauschenberg's BMW Art Car.

Stay tuned for more posts on the BMW Art Cars.  What other industries would benefit by putting creative in the forefront of their design?  The argument could be made that all industries should.  What are your thoughts on creativity and innovation; Do they go hand-in-hand?

First Impressions Count 

Accent trim enhances a product supporting the brand image and making a statement.  It can help create a product's unique personality.  Aluminum is a blank canvas for design of accent trim.  Build on it to create a surface that speaks to your vision.  The finishes which can be achieved are as diverse as the customers that purchase your product.  What type of finish would you design for each of your models or target markets?  Finishes can be traditional, contemporary, tough or elegant.  Changing the finish is a cost effective way to refresh and makeover accent trim.  Explore the possibilities in our surface collections. 

Aluminum Surfaces Inspiration

The following examples use options in decorating aluminum to achieve a diverse range of looks for accent trim.  The entire look and feel of the trim piece is changed through updates to the aluminum decoration. 

A large scale floral graphic is brushed into the surface of the aluminum
creating subtle definition and movement.

Rings of texture emanate from the volume control button in this
center console.

Inspired by ancient nautical charts, longitude, latitude and dashed
directional lines are layered on a brushed background.

Boundaries of traditional aluminum trim are pushed through
the exploration of illustration on aluminum.

Volvo designers apply unique finishes to this benchmark aluminum trim piece creating updated looks for new vehicles.  The complex shape of the part highlights the naturally reflective metal surface.

Brushed stainless steel finish on aluminum.

Aged bronze surface on aluminum.

Large scale graphic brushed into the surface of aluminum.

Vivid transparent blue tint on brushed and engine striped aluminum.

A stainless steel finish on aluminum is used on the production version of the Whirlpool ice and water dispenser.  Design concepts explore additional options in decorating the trim ranging from aged metal surfaces to contemporary large scale graphics. 

Aluminum trim is integrated into products ranging from cars and appliances to laptops and cameras.  It enhances the brand.  How would you use it to support yours?  You never get a second chance to make a first impression.   

The designer disc collection features a cross-section of finishes on aluminum.  It begins to illustrates the versatility of aluminum as a decorative substrate.  The pattern samples are labeled for easy identification.  The discs are useful when designing a custom finish.  Request a disc collection to begin exploring the variety of textures and finishes available for nameplates and labels.

The natural beauty of animal skins has always been appealing for product design.  The ability to match these unique structures on aluminum minimizes the effect on the environment while taking advantage of the versatility of aluminum trim manufacturing.

Ford designers carried their custom theme across the aluminum trim in the Mustang concept car with this decidedly non-aluminum finish.  The wrapped leather trim is aluminum printed with a custom faux leather finish.  A screen printed texture adds to the three dimensional effect.

Faux Leather Finishes on Aluminum Trim

This series of aluminum finishes further explores and translates authentic leathers, from exotic skins to shagreen, onto metal.  All can be applied selectively and integrated into trim with selective graphics or brushed accents.  Faux leather finishes combine with any of the finishes from our library of aluminum finishes to create a unique trim piece.

How would you integrate a faux leather finish into trim?  Would you customize the color?  What finish would you combine with a faux leather finish to create the look and feel of luxury?

Request samples of faux leather finishes on aluminum to see the variety of options available to you in integrating these structures into your trim.

Piano Black Finish

Piano black, the smooth lustrous finish found on the finest of grand pianos, is a stylish option in decorative trim for luxury automobiles.  Northern Engraving uses traditional decorating processes to achieve the gloss black finish on aluminum.  Aluminum trim allows the premium finish to be incorporated into dash panels, switchplates and consoles creating a look of elegance.  

Why Aluminum?

One of the attractive qualities of aluminum trim is its versatility in finish options.  Finishes taking advantage of the real metal character of the material feature brushing and transparent tints of color.  Textures are printed adding further detail.  Other patterns reinvent the metal surface matching faux finishes or interpreting your vision.  Piano black is only one example from the library of aluminum finishes.  The main advantages of working with aluminum finishes are:

• Finishes can be customized to meet the design intent for your product
• Most finishes can be applied selectively to trim or nameplates
• Finishes can be applied in combination with other finishes
• Your trim can be cost-effectively updated with a new finish

What other applications do you see for a piano black finish?  Consumer products?  A nameplate? 

Request a sample of this piano black finish on aluminum to begin exploring the possibilities available to you in decorative trim design.

Engine Turned Dash

Engine turning is a mechanical finish in which very precise spins are applied in overlapping rows on aluminum.  The finish was popular on vintage race cars and airplanes.  Engine turned dash panels were fashionable in the 1920's and 1930's.  The 1941 Buick sported one of our early automotive dash panels.

More than half a century later, engine turned aluminum finishes are popular again.  Automotive trim is once again embracing the finish.  The process basically remains the same with the surface of the metal being mechanically abraded creating a series of spins.  The spins reflect light creating movement and an interactive surface as shown here on the striking Mercedes SLK trim.

The engine turn process remains the same but advances in forming and printing expand your metal trim options.  The classic finish is being reinvented into stylish trim as shown here on the elegant Bentley dashboard. 

Engine Turned Metal

Mechanical finishes are protected with a clear topcoat.  They can be layered with transparent tints of color to coordinate with your color palette.  Although often used overall on trim, the engine turn finish can be applied selectively creating accents of bright aluminum.  Don't rule out using the engine turn finish on nameplates.  It takes on a different look when used in a small scale.  It is quite appropriate for graphics or a background.

How would you use an engine turn finish on product trim or a nameplate?  Request engine turned samples to see the movement this mechanical finish adds to metal. 

Metal Center Stack Trim

Variations on aluminum center stack trim are created off the same tooling.  Changing the look is achieved through the aluminum decoration.  Most often when working with aluminum trim, designers build on the reflective quality of metal.  Simple geometric finishes shown here let the aluminum characteristics shine through.  Selective brushing is the base process for several of the finishes building flip or movement into the surface.

One of the first things anyone does when they see the trim is to reach out and touch the surface.  It is as if we are looking for validation that it feels as it appears.  We are somehow disappointed when the surface is smooth.  These finishes do not disappoint.  The texture integrated into each of the patterns is screen printed.  The texture can be applied in various gloss levels to achieve a subtle effect.  A black texture adds contrast to the technical finish.

Aluminum automotive trim is completed using an aluminum in-mold or crimped process, integrating the aluminum skin and plastic carrier into one piece.  You can use aluminum trim to carry a theme throughout a vehicle on trim in areas such as:

Updating the trim with a new finish allows easy differentiation for new models or a refresh.  Cost is minimized since a common tool is used for all trim variations.  Graphics can be added to the trim to further differentiate and customize products. 

How would you integrate aluminum trim into a vehicle?  A washer and dryer? A laptop or printer?  What type of finish would you use?

Request samples of aluminum trim to see examples of the crimped and aluminum in-mold process.

Eucalyptus Woodgrain | Chrysler Pacifica Interior Trim

Our library of woodgrains on aluminum includes a wide variety of woods and woodgrains.  We have decades of experience interpreting the different types of woods in the world and their characteristics in terms of grain, texture, color and figure on to aluminum.  Designers can work from any of our existing woodgrain finishes to customize a woodgrain surface for their aluminum trim.  Custom matched woodgrains using real wood as a starting point are also an option.

The eucalyptus woodgrain chosen by Chrysler design for the Pacifica aluminum trim is unique in that it is has the same depth and movement seen in real wood.  The eucalyptus woodgrain had crossfires which are a reflection of light.  Matching this effect required a layering of printing to create the movement. The finish was included on door rails and across the dash. 

The finished parts include the wood grain accented by a satin silver finish.  There is a debossed bead between the two finishes giving the illusion of being two separate trim pieces.  This option allowed the designers to meet the design intent while staying within budget.

Interest in aluminum woodgrains reflects an increased need for cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternatives to native and exotic hardwoods.  The printed woodgrain also allows flexibility unmatched in real wood.  For example, the structure of this woodgrain was curved slightly to follow the arching line of the instrument panel.  The result is a woodgrain finish that flows naturally with the shape of the part.  The Chrysler designer chose the exact area of the woodgrain for optimum aesthetics.  Our designers then gently altered the woodgrain. 

See for yourself the depth in this aluminum woodgrain finish by requesting samples.  Explore the possibilities of woodgrains on aluminum. 

What are the trends in woodgrain colors and strucures that interest you? Can you see these being integrated into trim?