Abstract: A method of anodizing an aluminum component includes placing the component in an electrolyte solution. A plurality of pulses are applied. The pulses have a pattern that includes three magnitudes. An aluminum alloy component of approximately 3.0% Cu, 9.5% Si, and 1.0% Mg is anodized using a first magnitude of about 6 A/dm.sup.2, and the third magnitude of is about 1 A/dm.sup.2. The electrolyte is about 16% v/v sulfuric acid at a temperature of about 10-15.degree. C. The duration of the high magnitude portion of the pulse is about 30 seconds, the duration of the zero magnitude portion of the current pulse is about 10 seconds, and wherein the duration of the third magnitude portion of the pulse is about 10 seconds. An aluminum alloy component of approximately 4.5% Cu and 17% Si is anodized using about 6 A/dm.sup.2 for the first magnitude, and the third magnitude is about 1 A/dm.sup.2. The electrolyte is about 17% v/v sulfuric acid at a temperature of about 15.degree. C.