Bicycle Mechanics - Coloring

hello,

i'm going ask for some quick advice and/or a link to a tutorial.

I recently purchased this seatpost (Velo Orange Grand Cru Long Setback) (http://store.velo-orange.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/530x530/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/g/r/grand_cru_seatpost_1.jpg) because of it's generous setback.

Here is my question, can I color it black (either by anodizing or painting) for a fair price <$20 A) by myself or B) at a metal shop?

After searching google, and the forums via google, I've read some tutorials about painting aluminum, mostly frames- but have not been able to locate many articles about painting components. I've contacted a company that does anodizing and am waiting to hear back, but after browsing several other metal companies sites, it looks like it would be about $50 to do it with one of them...

I would greatly appreciate any advice such as -"don't do it, that would not yield a nice look for that amount of money" or "for twenty dollars, this is a process you can do, and these are photos of what it would look like."

Anyhow, i would greatly appreciate the advice/thoughts or tutorials.

Many thanks.

You could scuff and paint it but the paint will scrape off to some extent. Powder Coat is another option - more durable and probably far less expensive than electroplating it (anodize). You could return it and buy a black one. - probably the lowest cost overall in the end. http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=38498

If your handy you can do anodizing at home real easy.

You basically need a battery charger,a plastic bucket,some aluminum wire,tin foil,some battery acid and some Rit dye of your favorite color.

I'm not going to explain it here but it can be done real easy at home.
Look on the internet,you'll see how it's done,takes about an hour or so.

Powder coat will increase the diameter and it won't fit in the frame anymore.

Powder coat will increase the diameter and it won't fit in the frame anymore.True - as will paint and type II and III anodizing.

The home brew type anodizing would be type 2.It will increase the size of the part about .001. or less.

Here are some of the colors possible with Rit dye anodizing:
http://westloopanodizing.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/IMG_04831.jpg

Impressive!

You can also do it without the electicity,use hot water instead.It doesn't etch into the base as well,but still looks good.

I've looked into doing the anodizing by myself but the kits are too much and i don't have the aforementioned materials. I'm trying to find someone, like yourself, who lives near me who can do the anodizing DIY, literally by them self. so it would be a Do-It-For-Me-At-Your-House-For-Someone-Else.