Nah why would bare aluminum do that? There is still much cookware available that is bare aluminum (especially most commercial stuff used in professional kitchens). I cook on it. I actually don't know really if the paint is a serious long term issue. Honestly I think the reason it's not done is they're afraid of lawsuits from someone who may not take the precaution of doing a long burn off of the off gassing solvents. I could be wrong though LOL. Bottom line I would not paint one (internally). Also too, on the bare aluminum thing. Once you do a burn off to get the oils off from production, it will start getting carbon deposits on it from cooking just like say your cast iron cookware does.