In one implementation, a method of depositing a material on a substrate is provided. The method comprises positioning an aluminum-containing substrate in an electroplating solution, the electroplating solution comprising a non-aqueous solvent and a deposition precursor. The method further comprises depositing a coating on the aluminum-containing substrate, the coating comprising aluminum or aluminum oxide. Depositing the coating comprises applying a first current for a first time-period to nucleate a surface of the aluminum-containing substrate and applying a second current for a second time-period, wherein the first current is greater than the second current and the first time-period is less than the second time-period to form the coating on the nucleated surface of the aluminum-containing substrate.