Abstract: Disclosed is an iron, comprising an aluminum sole plate which is provided with a coating which is provided by means of a sol-gel process and wherein an intermediate layer is present between the aluminum sole plate and the sol-gel coating. The intermediate layer comprises a porous layer of aluminum oxide. Also described is a method of manufacturing such an iron. The method comprises the steps of providing an aluminum sole plate, applying a porous intermediate layer of aluminum oxide by electrochemical treatment of the aluminum sole plate in an electrolyte comprising a solution of phosphoric acid, and providing a sol-gel coating on the treated sole plate. Furthermore, an aluminum sole plate which is suitable for use in an iron is disclosed.