[T^2]

My team considered anodizing/powder coating our offseason bot, and my opinion has been at odds with those of some other members, so I'll add my two cents here.

Generally (and my view is no doubt colored by the fact that I pretty much only do design and fabrication), I abide by the motto that function follows function, and form can go fall in a furrow. I would strongly advise against any cosmetic work on a robot unless it is mechanically excellent. Two days spent on paint means two fewer days for testing and iteration. As for the sponsor argument, I'd wager that my team's sponsors would be a bit happier if we performed well with an ugly robot than if we did poorly with a museum piece.

On the other hand, my boss, who's kind of a sheet-metal nut, liked to say, "If it looks good, it probably works good." If I recall correctly, I replied, "Yes, but does it work well?" To each his own.