RAL colors on aluminum – what you need to know

What RAL color is aluminum? In the basic RAL Classic palette, two colors are named “aluminum”: RAL 9006 – white aluminum i RAL 9007 – gray aluminum. These are shades with a metallic effect, chosen when a part should look like aluminum while still being protected by a coating.

RAL colors on aluminum are most often achieved by powder coating. Here we explain how the RAL system works, how the aluminum colors differ, which shades and finishes are chosen most often, and how to correctly order a color for castings and other aluminum parts.

In brief

• RAL is a German color standard system created in 1927; the RAL Classic palette includes more than 200 colors with four-digit numbers.
• The aluminum colors are RAL 9006 (white aluminum, lighter) and RAL 9007 (gray aluminum, darker).
• Metallic colors vary between paint manufacturers, so an order should also state the manufacturer and the paint code.
• In addition to the RAL number, you need to specify the gloss level (matte, semi-gloss, gloss) and the coating texture.
• We powder coat castings in RAL colors after degreasing, passivation and primer application.

What are RAL colors?

RAL is a color standard system maintained in Germany since 1927. Each color has a number and a name, so the designer, manufacturer and coating shop all refer to the same shade without comparing samples by eye. The most widely used palette is RAL Classic – more than 200 colors with four-digit numbers. The first digit indicates the color group:

First digit	Color group	Example
1	yellow and beige	RAL 1015 – light ivory
2	orange	RAL 2004 – pure orange
3	red	RAL 3020 – traffic red
4	violet	RAL 4005 – blue lilac
5	blue	RAL 5010 – gentian blue
6	green	RAL 6005 – moss green
7	gray	RAL 7016 – anthracite gray
8	brown	RAL 8017 – chocolate brown
9	white, black and aluminum	RAL 9005 – jet black

Besides the Classic palette, there are other RAL collections, such as RAL Design System, with colors described by color coordinates, and RAL Effect, which also includes metallic colors. In industry and construction, however, the number from the Classic palette is the one most commonly specified.

Aluminum colors: RAL 9006 and RAL 9007

Color	Name	Appearance
RAL 9006	white aluminum	light, silvery metallic – closest to the look of bright, raw aluminum
RAL 9007	gray aluminum	darker metallic with a graphite-gray tone

Both colors contain metallic pigments, so their appearance depends on more than the RAL number. The result is affected by the type of paint, the manufacturer, the coating thickness, and even the angle from which the part is viewed. Two paints described as RAL 9006 can differ noticeably. If several parts are to look identical, it is best to coat them with a single paint from the same manufacturer and to give its name and code when placing the order. For outdoor applications, manufacturers of metallic paints often recommend an additional clear coat, which protects the metallic effect from abrasion and weathering.

The most commonly chosen RAL colors for aluminum

Color	Name	Typical applications
RAL 7016	anthracite gray	windows, doors, facades, fences
RAL 9016	traffic white	aluminum windows and joinery
RAL 9010	pure white	interior elements, joinery
RAL 9005	deep black	architectural details, housings, accessories
RAL 7035	light gray	housings for industrial equipment and cabinets
RAL 9006 / 9007	white / gray aluminum	parts that are meant to retain a metallic look

In recent years, architecture has been dominated by muted shades of gray and black, usually in a matte or textured finish. For machine and equipment components, the color is often dictated by an internal company standard or the manufacturer's corporate identity.

Coating finish: gloss and texture

The RAL number alone is not enough, because the same color can look completely different depending on gloss and texture. Gloss is measured with a gloss meter at a 60° angle in gloss units (GU):

• matte – up to approx. 30 GU; hides minor surface irregularities and fingerprints,
• semi-gloss – approx. 30–70 GU; a versatile choice for technical components,
• gloss – above approx. 70 GU; emphasizes the color, but also every surface imperfection.

Textured coatings – fine or coarse texture – have a rough finish. They mask surface irregularities well, which is why they are often chosen for castings, especially sand castings, whose surface is rougher than that of sheet metal or profiles.

How a RAL color is applied to aluminum

1. Surface preparation – removal of contaminants, degreasing, and chemical surface treatment (passivation or a conversion coating). Paint adhesion depends most on this step. Castings are additionally cleaned, for example by sandblasting or glass bead blasting.
2. Primer – improves adhesion and corrosion protection, especially in outdoor applications.
3. Powder coating application – the electrically charged powder is deposited onto the grounded part.
4. Curing – in an oven, usually at approx. 180–200 °C; the powder melts and forms a uniform coating.
5. Inspection – coating thickness, appearance, gloss and, if required, adhesion.

We explain why preparation is so important in our article on aluminum corrosion and protection methods.

How to order a RAL color for castings and aluminum parts

• specify the RAL number and gloss level, e.g. "RAL 7016, matte",
• define the texture: smooth, fine or coarse texture,
• for metallic colors, specify the paint manufacturer and code, or include a sample,
• indicate the surfaces that must not be painted, e.g. threads, mating surfaces and fits, so they can be masked,
• state where the part will be used: indoors, outdoors or in an aggressive environment.

Do not judge color on a screen, as monitors and printers reproduce colors differently. For comparison, use a physical RAL color chart or a sample painted with the target paint.

Frequently asked questions

Powder Coating of Castings in RAL Colors

We powder coat the aluminum castings we produce in the RAL color of your choice, at the same facility where we cast and machine them. Before painting, we degrease, passivate and prime the castings. You can read more about this service on the page powder coating of aluminum castings. Request a quote.