Abstract: A method is disclosed for the painting of aluminum surfaces that provides a highly superior coating than prior methods. The method comprises a controlled oxidation of the aluminum surface, the application to the oxidized surface of an epoxy functional silanol, and coating of the aluminum surface with paint by conventional methods such as brushing, spraying and the like. The useful epoxy functional silanols have the general formula of: ##STR1## wherein: n is a whole number integer of 1 through 3; andm is a whole number integer of 1 through 5.These silanols can be applied to the oxidized aluminum surface by dissolving them, or their corresponding trialkoxysilanes, in an aqueous solution which is applied to the surfaces and permitted to dry or can be incorporated in the coating composition.