Description: Chrome finish is an actual metal coating electroplated on top of the base metal (aluminum in this case).

Appearance: Chrome is the most brilliant of all the finishes. Highly reflective mirror-like finish with no texture.

Process: Chrome plating aluminum is not an easy or cheap task (especially if the chrome is to last). First, the aluminum part must be hand polished and cleaned. Our parts go through a 20 step electroplating process. This includes acid etching, copper baths, and nickel baths all while being cleaned before the next process.

Pros: Very lustrous, extremely hard finish, scratch resistant, easy to clean, long lasting shine.

Cons: Expensive, shows dirt and water spots if not cleaned, can peel if not plated correctly.

Description: Our anodized finish is a chemical coating and sealing process on aluminum.

Appearance: Polished bright anodize looks like raw aluminum with a slight shine and smooth texture. The brushed finish is the same except for the textured brush lines in the aluminum.

Process: Very much like the chroming process, anodizing requires hand polishing and cleaning then electrochemical baths to coat and seal the aluminum. The "bright" comes from an acid etching step that actually micro-polishes the aluminum giving it a shiny overall finish. This helps the appearance since anodizing usually has a dull finish.

Pros: Classy subtle shine, extremely durable, scratch resistant, cheaper, easy to clean, good choice for salt environments.

Cons: Not as lustrous as chrome, shows dirt and water spots if not cleaned, colored anodizing will fade in sun.

Description: Polished finish is simply polished raw metal. There is no coating.

Appearance: Almost chrome-like shine but with a slight cloudiness.

Process: This is the process that chrome and anodized parts must go through initially. It involves a multi-step process that utilizes buffing wheels and different buffing compounds. This process basically smears the metal into a very smooth shiny finish.

Pros: high luster, cheap, can be maintained and repolished cheaply.

Cons: Will oxidize and dull over time, hard to clean, scratches easily.