This invention discloses a method of bonding FDA approved pigmented polymeric film forming coatings onto the surface of metallic orthodontic tools and appliances. In the preferred embodiment, stainless steel orthodontic brackets are coated with a functionalized coating that bonds to the metal surface and reacts with the molecules present at the surface as well as functional groups present in the coating formulation. In the present invention, the pigmented coating can be any polymeric material with epoxy, phenolic, carboxylic acid, urethane, or acrylic functionality able to form a continuous film upon curing.