As if I really needed another project.....
wife and I are looking for some back-splash material for the area from the countertop to the bottom of the wall cabinets. We both like the look of decorative metal, but all that Home depot and Lowes carry is plastic made to look like the metal.
I found this on Amazon:
Amazon.com: 0604 PRINCESS VICTORIA BACKSPLASH - Mill Finish Aluminum: Home Improvement

Its mill finish aluminum. IIUC, that means it is not anodized, and so will tarnish. Can I polish and coat it with a clear finish?
Anyone with experience?

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

I put the Home Depot plastic stuff in a rental. Easy to install with spray adhesive. I think it looks good but it's a rental.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

When my dad made our countertop out of Formica a few years back, he made his own backsplash out of the Formica. I'll grab a picture of it so that you see what I mean.

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

I'd use stainless instead of aluminum.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Ceramic tile.

This backsplash area is so subjective. A matter of personal taste. Also depends on the style and colour of the kitchen cabinets and the countertop.

With a dedicated aluminum primer you can probably get good adhesion with a clear coat. That's if a good clear aluminium primer is available.

Or have them anodized yourself. That's what I would do if I was to do what you are considering.

x2

The right tile can look timeless and classic, and theres something out there that will match your counters well.

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If you polish, be careful about denting. They are paintable as they are...but they also offer a clear aluminum finish, which sounds like what you are wanting. That information was found in the Questions and Answer section for the product.

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

I'm a fan of the tile look as well.

My rental house has the same tile (cherry marble) on the floor, the counter top and the backsplash. Took the backsplash all the way up to the bottom of the cabinets, and continued the same brick pattern which is on the counter.
I think it looks great, and it's extremely durable.

My house has travertine as a backsplash above a granite counter. The color of the travertine closely matches some of the beige colors in the granite. Also looks great, but I would probably decide it was too expensive if I had to pay for the material...

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

Backsplash in a public facility is indeed disconcerting --but with the astute tactic its easily minimized,, what i find works is aiming for the right side if the white porcelain unit and ricosheting off sends the stream splashing off the opposite side rather than onesself.
hope this helps--stay safe outthere.

Dude, 'kitchen' !!!!

SWMBO does not want tile, or the time and mess involved in installing, and grouting it.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Then why is this your problem? Let her handle it

Momma not happy; ain't NOBODY happy--or haven't you heard.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Go with stainless steel or my preference these days is copper. Lowe's has got some really cheap/tinny backsplash material. I'd find a more rugged material, than that.