Re: [SilverStreak] Anodized finish

["waymark1@xxxxxxxx" <waymark1@xxxxxxxx>]

Anodizing of aluminum forms a microscopically thin film of aluminum 
oxide, or corundum (what sapphire, ruby and some other gems are 
composed of). It is extremely hard, second only to diamond.
Once it is scraped or abraded away it exposes the bare aluminum 
beneath, which quickly oxidizes. Unfortunately the aluminum oxide 
that forms from exposure to air is not like the anodized version, so 
while it does protect the underlying aluminum from further oxidation 
it does not look like the electrochemically formed film.
Once anodized aluminum has the corundum removed it has to be waxed, 
painted or kept polished or it will turn grayish. 
As to re-anodizing aluminum skin that has had the oxide removed, it 
would require quite a large tank to submerge an entire SS. Or, the 
rivets could be drilled out, the sheets re-anodized, and re-riveted 
together. Making it match the original would be difficult (to say the 
least!).
Al G.