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Originally Posted by GregT
Anodizing would make the surface less "shiny". Anodizing itself does not color parts, but is used to protect aluminum by making it's surface harder (puts a coat of aluminum oxide on). Color can be added because anodized aluminum is more porous then normal Al (which is also why it loses some of its reflective properties). [Someone correct me if anything I said above is wrong].
You don’t need special equipment to anodize aluminum, but it involves a strong acid (the sulfuric acid that’s in your car battery would work) so it needs to be done by someone with experience (sort of like welding).
Yan, I think spray paint leaves an ok finish, isn't that what was used on last year's robot?
Greg
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Your right that the process itself does not color the metal however check this link out
anodizing benifits the key section to read is
Aesthetics. Aesthetics. Anodizing offers a
large increasing number of gloss and color alternatives and minimizes or eliminates color variations. Unlike other finishes,
anodizing allows the aluminum to maintain its metallic appearance.
At least with anodizing you get the metallic look unlike gloss paint that will hide the textures of the surface plus paint chips anodized colors do not.
Hope this helps