Originally posted by westcoaststyle
I had a '59 VW bug a while ago. I had the entire pan (frame & floorboards) powdercoated and it was f'n awesome! Powdercoating is very durable as well. You can't really scratch it, but it will gouge.
The way it works is this: the metal is painted with an electrically charged coat of paint (for lack of a better term) and let to dry. Then, painted with an oppositely charged paint in the color of your choice. Then, baked in a huge oven. The baking cures the paint while the electrical charge binds the paint to the medal.
Very cool concept and like I said, very cool look.
It really wouldn't be worth it for such a small piece, but again, i don't think you can do it to aluminum. You could get it anodized, but that's a whole other story. 
hih
ok, so i was right
my friend has a VW, and he's got an assortment of items in his engine powder-coated. they look pretty sweet to, gets rid of that cheapy look.