Method of plating and pretreating aluminium workpieces

A method for applying a metal layer onto at least one surface of an aluminium or aluminium alloy workpiece, including the steps of pretreating the surface and applying the metal layer by plating, wherein the pretreating step includes a non-electrolytic treatment by immersion of the workpiece in a single acidic solution, preferably a sulphuric acid solution, having a temperature of at most 100° C. A brazed assembly comprising at least one component of an aluminium workpiece made by this method is also disclosed.