Is this a valid technique? (Color application to metal)

[Swan217]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

OK, so I got into a discussion about our robot with someone on my team. I was told that we may "ionize" the robot and put some color on it.
I said that ionizing it would put a charge to it and kill our electronics (maybe not to that extent but anywho....)

Here is the conversation and you tell me (if you know) who is right or wrong, or if we are both right.

OK, so I've seen the powdercoating process on American Chopper, so I know what is involved with that.
My question is "Is ionizing a valid process to put color on metal in the way he descibed it?"

Elgin -

The word your teammates are looking for is "anodize," which is a process by which color is bonded to metals. If you look at our robot from this year, the base is anodized blue.