Surfaces on Aluminum

Metal Match Box Covers

The inspiration for this series of aluminum finishes comes from antique art deco wrought iron gates and doors.  The symmetry and repetition in the lavish and opulent art deco style are interpreted on to aluminum creating an elegant and stylish look. 

The surfaces combine mechanical finishes, litho printing and screen printing on aluminum.  The art deco finishes emphasize the metal character of the aluminum match box covers.

Mechanical finishes add movement to the finishes.  A printed mask allows the brush or spin to be applied selectively to the aluminum surface.  The mask is washed off after brushing revealing bright aluminum.  Layers of transparent and opaque color are then printed on the aluminum.

Gradations of color are litho printed to add further depth and detail to the finishes.

The final layers of printing involve adding low gloss details to the aluminum and printing a texture. This adds to the opulent art deco finish visually.  It also give the aluminum match box cover a nice tactile quality. 

The visually rich character of art deco, its use of metal and its bold stepped forms and sweeping curves are fertile grounds for inspiration in the decoration of these aluminum match box covers.  How might the art deco inspiration be applied to other surfaces or decorative trim?

Knurled Patterns

Knurled finishes on aluminum are one of our most popular metal finishes.  Knurling is a visually attractive diamond shaped pattern cut or rolled into metal.  This pattern allows you to get a better grip on the knurled object than would be provided by the original smooth metal surface. 

Many designers have looked to knurled surfaces for inspiration when creating patterns for aluminum trim or nameplates.  The pattern is a familiar industrial surface with a look of precision and detail.

The crisp diamond effect on actual knurled metal is duplicated in knurled aluminum finishes.  The decorative finishes are achieved through a combination of selective brushing and printing.  A texture is printed on the metal to mimic the texture of knurled metal.  The theme can be varied by changing the contrast or the scale of the pattern.

We have integrated the knurled finish into our aluminum match box covers.  The finish is complemented with printed borders and a low gloss brushed aluminum surface.  The logo is embossed and features phalynx diamond cut graphics.  The fine diamond shape in the diamond cut logo repeats the diamond theme in the knurled finish. 

The knurled aluminum surface makes this flat nameplate stand out.  The pattern has a texture which contrasts with the bright aluminum border and the matte aluminum background in the center of the nameplate.

I think knurled finishes on aluminum are most successful when applied selectively and accented with other aluminum finishes.  The knurled effect would also make an attractive trim piece.  How can you see these finishes used?

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?

Eco-Friendly Aluminum Trim

Many of our new finishes have been created on aluminum made from 99% recycled aluminum of which 80% of the scrap is from post consumer sources.  The new finishes on recycled aluminum are aesthetically pleasing environmentally friendly options for trim and nameplates.   

It takes 95% less energy to recycle aluminum than to work with raw materials.  Eco-awareness is far more than a trend.  It is a primary focus today.  Aluminum is a durable and sustainable metal.  Two-thirds of the aluminum ever produced is in use today.

This series of recycled aluminum finishes takes a more technical approach to the use of patterns.  Fine geometrics structures are screen printed onto brushed aluminum creating subtle texture.  Low gloss texture is contrasted against a high gloss brushed aluminum for one effect while a low gloss texture on a low gloss brushed surface creates a completely different almost etched effect.  All have the look of precision and fine detail.  All take advantage of the natural reflective qualities and color of aluminum to create finishes with the look of high quality and performance.

The recycled aluminum is available in a mill finish surface which can be brushed and decorated using litho printing, screen printing and roller coating.  The aluminum can be embossed and formed for use in nameplates and decorative trim pieces.

This is only one series of finishes on recycled aluminum.  They might be incorporated into a nameplate or used in decorative trim.  What other finishes would you like to see developed on recycled aluminum?