Powder coating vs Anodizing

[Langanobob]

I'll leave it to dp to answer the etching question, rather than venture an uneducated guess (a first!).  I have another related question for dp.  Assuming the rims have a good quality paint job on them from the factory and they're going to be re-painted rather than powdercoated or anodized:  Couldn't you  wet sand the original paint, fixing any chips and then seal and/or primer them and put on a color coat without removing the original paint?

I'm just asking this because I know how much work is involved in stripping things, regardless of whether it's done chemically or mechanically.

[Smokescreen]

Does this "etching" differ significantly from the result he'd get from sand blasting?

[Langanobob]

Does this "etching" differ significantly from the result he'd get from sand blasting?

Dunno what happened to dp, this is really a question for him to answer.  I think that aluminum forms an oxide surface that isn't good for paint to bond to, thus the need for chemical etching as a paint prep to remove the oxide layer.  I also think that sandblasting is OK as long as you clean and paint right away.  If you leave it sit for awhile the oxide surface will reform.  But a roughened sandblasted surface seems like it would bond pretty good, even if it did have an oxide coating.  But this is really a question for dp and if I got it wrong I hope he comes back and straightens it out.