Thanks, that helps a bit. Basically I have unfinished aluminum bars, and I need to finish them. Sounds like you are knowledgeable about shot peening, wheras I am not. I understand basically how it works I think - sort of like sand blasting, but where does the color come from? Is it applied after the process? Are stock bars (like profile design) shot peened and then powder coated or something?

I guess the short question is, is there anything I can do to finish the bars economically, that won't chip away after a week?