greetings sage,
I have seen this problem occur in many instances with machine
shops having parts repaired through filler tig welding, re-machined
and then anodized. Didn't work out so well.
But then I have myself received anodized rims from Buchannan's
(maker of Sun rims in CA) had them stripped of the anodize and
personally looked straight at a machine made butt weld!
But I could not have believed this before I stripped the anodized
layer. I think Buchannan's use an anodizer who has figured
something out . . . . .
Secondly, there is a professional finisher's forum on the internet
www.finishing.com and these guys might have some answers or suggestions for you. This is the first place I found some of Fibergeek's discussions regarding the genesis of the LCD system while I was doing my own research. So it seems a pretty
knowledgeble resource. 2 areas of interest would be to write a letter of
inquiry and/or review the letter's archives. Those archives can be very
interesting and rewarding, if you have the time -- there's a lot 'em!
hope this helps,
archi