Surfaces on Aluminum Blog

Scuffed and dusted treatments are seen in fashion, furniture and the products we use every day.  Further exploration into faux surfaces is a constant in our Design area.  Experimentation with finishing effects often combines contrasting elements for unique looks.  The crackle-effect finish brings together a weathered surface with reflective metal.  The faux painted surface is scuffed and crackled.  Try combining this finish with high gloss bright aluminum or a brushed tint to further push the combination of opposing surfaces.

Other examples of faux finishes on aluminum include patinaed metal and rubbed or worn leathers with an aged quality to them.  All can be customized in color, scale and gloss to meet your product branding needs.  How would you incorporate this type of surface into an appliqué or trim piece?

Request samples of aluminum finishes from our pattern library to begin exploring the breadth of possibilities available to you in creating a finish for decorative trim or nameplates.

Inspired by the interaction between illusion and reality, faux finishes on aluminum play with color, pattern and texture to create captivating experiences for your customer.  This collection of faux surfaces - ranging from distressed metal to stone - is a great illustration of how a brand can use decorative processes on aluminum to integrate custom finishes into metal trim or nameplates.

Replicate natural surfaces, fusing the finishes with inlaid accents and embossed details to support your brand image.  Woodgrain, carbon fiber, marble, patinaed metal and leather finishes rely on standard printing processes to imitate the surfaces on metal while harnessing the power of touch with printed textures and graining.  Highlights of the naturally reflective surface add to the depth.

Whether integrated into automotive interior trim, cosmetic appliqués or nameplates, our library of aluminum finishes includes a large selection of faux finishes to be customized to meet your needs. 

How would you integrate a one of these finishes into a decorative trim piece?  What type of finish would you use?  Are there other faux finishes you would like to see developed on aluminum?  Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Request a disc collection to begin exploring the variety of finishes available for panels, overlays and decorative trim.

Stainless Steel Alternative

The rich depth of traditional bronze sculptor is explored in this Whirlpool ice and water concept.  This bronze finish is an example of the chameleon-like quality of aluminum to be decorated in a variety of metal finishes.  Patinaed, antiqued and distressed surfaces on copper, bronze, titanium or brass are some of the possibilities.

Metal Clad Appliance Trim

Aluminum is decorated in the flat sheet using a combination of mechanical finishes, lithography, screen printing and roll coating.  The inks and topcoats are formulated to be flexible enough for the complex forms common in appliances, consumer products and automotive trim yet durable enough to meet the requirements of the environment.

This appliance trim concept incorporates two complementary bronze finishes into the design.  The outer frame of the ice and water dispenser incorporates layers of transparent inks on selective brushing to create an interactive surface with depth and movement.  The finish uses the aluminum in-mold process to create a robust trim piece.  The back wall of this design features a brushed aluminum with a transparent bronze tint of color.  The generous radius highlights the reflective quality of the metal.  This portion of the concept is mocked up in our prototype shop illustrating the potential for incorporating metal into the back wall.  This idea can be used to create a uniform aesthetic across the refrigerator or, as in this case, to incorporate complementary finishes for a refined look.

What type of product would you incorporate a bronze finish into?  How would you use the wide variety of finishes available on aluminum to upgrade the look of large appliance trim?  Request a disc collection to begin exploring the variety of finishes available for panels, overlays and decorative trim.

Decorative Trim with Distressed Metal Surfaces

Patinas add character to decorative metal trim.  They occur naturally on metals as they age and oxidize.  Artists and metalworkers often add patinas to metal surfaces to simulate wear and exposure to the elements.  Our decorative metal processes allow you to match the look of patinaed metal on aluminum.  The aged and patinaed surfaces of copper, brass, bronze, nickel or silver are reproduced on aluminum using a combination of litho and screen printing. 

Cool gunmetal colors are used in this series of patinas on metal.  The printed aluminum finish is protected by a clear topcoat which is roll coated on to the metal.  Topcoat is the final step in the decorative process and is what determines the overall gloss level of the finish.  These patinas work well in high or low gloss.

Warm metal colors are mixed with cool gunmetal colors for a mixed metal effect in this series.  The overall gloss level changes the look and feel of the metal surface.  The aluminum is decorated in the flat sheet and formed after printing and topcoat.

The same cool and warm metal colors come together in this series of patinas.  The structure is more organic and the surface created is subtle.  Printing the finishes allows complete control over the repeatability of the finish.  Decorative trim can be manufactured with the exact same finish on each part.

These are only a few of the patinas on metal in our library of metal finishes.  We continually explore these distressed metal surfaces creating new finishes.  What application would you suggest for decorative metal trim with a patina?