Aluminum castings become things of beauty.

For 24 years, Fort Wayne Anodizing has had to sum up its customers that aluminum die-cast parts could not be made aesthetically pleasing -- until about four years ago. That's when the Fort Wayne, Ind., company make knowned a process called MetaBrite, which, together with anodizing, transforms aluminum die-cast part surfaces into shiny, plain plastic-like finishes without sanding or polishing.

According to William Branstrator, vice president of operations, instead of using high-production aluminum castings, greatest in quantity manufacturers were forced to turn back to plastic or paint the casting