A method for forming a coating on aluminum by contacting the aluminum with water, at least one multifunctional polymeric organic acid, a monomer of an intrinsically conductive polymer (ICP) and polymerizing the ICP monomer and forming aluminum oxide by imposing an electrical potential between the aluminum surface as the anode and a cathode. The intrinsically conductive polymer salt and aluminum oxide coating that is formed resists corrosion and is resistant to de-doping during immersion in hot water.