A surface treatment process for a metal article provides a uniform and unblemished surface finish to the metal article. The surface treatment process anodizes the metal article to form an anodic oxide layer on a surface, and the metal article is activated using a pre-dyeing solution. The pre-dyeing solution contains complex organic acid and sodium acetate. The anodic oxide layer of the metal article is dyed for color and the dyed anodic oxide layer of the metal article is finally sealed.