Masking before Anodizing

[tmclucas]

This thread is probably the answer to my question, but I just want to make sure. I may have missed reading this in the plating manual.

Masking parts prior to anodizing is good for protecting items that should not hit the acid bath? For example, I have some aluminum motorcycle parts I'd like to anodize, but they have steel pins and bushings pressed into them. Obviously, I don't want to put the bare steel parts in the acid, however I don't think I can remove and replace the steel parts without damaging anything. So masking them first would solve my problem?

Thanks,
Troy