A method for producing an article such as a turbine component that is coated with a β-phase, high aluminum content coating, such as substantially stoichiometric NiAl, and which has a surface finish suitable for application of a ceramic topcoat. The method involves heating the coated article to near the brittle-ductile transition temperature of the coating and impacting the coating with particles of a preselected size so that the brittle coating is not adversely affected by chipping or breakage. The impacting produces a surface finish of 120 micro-inches or finer so that a ceramic thermal barrier layer can be applied over the coating. The preferred method of improving the surface finish utilizes heated peening media to impact the heated coated article, thus allowing use of a broader selection of peening media.