This paper summarizes recently published results on the mechanisms of chloroplatinate adsorption onto alumina, as revealed by the joint use of Pt-195 NMR and other spectroscopic techniques. Molecular models of solution species and conceivable adsorbed species are presented. It is shown that the adsorption of hexachloroplatinate-derived species is initially electrostatic, but accompanied by weak specific bonding to the surface (probably H-bonding; these are the "specifically adsorbed" ions of triple-layer theory). This initial electrostatic adsorption can be followed by a slow, thermally activated grafting, i.e., by the formation of inner-sphere complexes with two surface (AlOH) groups. Upon drying at elevated temperatures, grafting becomes irreversible. However, modification of the alumina surface by chlorination prior to Pt deposition efficiently prevents grafting, opening the possibility of a chemical control of adsorbed Pt speciation.