The effect of CeCl3 and CeCl3 + H2O2 additions to a nitric acid solution for desmutting of 2024 T3 aluminum alloy has been investigated using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis, potentiodynamic polarization and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. No S-,theta-phase and Al-Cu-Fe-Mn-(Si) particles were detected on the alloy surface after desmutting with added CeCl3. A similar result was attained with addition of H2O2, although with slower removal of the particles. In contrast, theta-phase, Al-Cu-Fe-Mn-(Si) and dealloyed S-phase particles remained following desmutting in nitric acid alone. The absence of the particles on the alloy surfaces following desmutting in the presence of CeCl3 was also confirmed by potentiodynamic anodizing of the alloy in H2SO4 solution. (C) The Author(s) 2016. Published by ECS. All rights reserved.