Abstract: A novel process is disclosed for the production of colored coatings on articles of aluminum or aluminum alloys which are particularly adapted to be employed for architectural uses which involves first forming a hard, dense anodic coating on aluminum and aluminum base alloys by anodizing the aluminum in a specific electrolyte comprising sulfuric acid, a polyhydric alcohol of 3 to 6 carbon atoms and an organic carboxylic acid containing at least one reactive group in the alpha position in order to obtain a material having a film thickness of between about 0.6 to about 1.1 mils and thereafter electrolytically coloring said anodized aluminum by passing alternating current between said anodized aluminum and a counter-electrode in an aqueous bath containing acid and a metal salt.