If it feels/looks like anodizing, it might be "e-kote"
http://www.metokote.com/coatingTechn...trocoating.asp

The process is about half way between a dip painting and a plating
process. Prduces a very good corrosion inhibitor but it is not as
durable as paint and does not do well when exposed to UV. It makes a
great undercoat/primer for powder coating. Snowmobile (Arctic Cat) and
commercial lawn mower (Toro) use E-kote then powder.

Joe AutoDrill wrote:
Just received a shipment of parts. I'm familiar with the brownish-black
"black oxide" method of coloring steel, but these came in glossy and coated
almost like a black anodized aluminum part... But not as durable as either
anodizing or oxide...

It's not paint... It's more durable than that or even a sharpie marker...

Any clue what the difference is between methods of "blackening" the steel?

Regards,
Joe Agro, Jr.
(800) 871-5022
01.908.542.0244
Automatic / Pneumatic Drills: http://www.AutoDrill.com
Multiple Spindle Drills: http://www.Multi-Drill.com

V8013-R