I agree, steel does not anodize. The oxides produced by that process would
dissolve as they were forming.

The coloration is probably due to the hardeneing and tempering process,
assuming that they were so treated. I suspect they would, being used for a
rigorous application.

Paul
Paul 89 Carat
Very, very close to a decision on a Eurospec or Audi transplant

In a message dated 1/17/99 12:30:32 AM Eastern Standard Time,
tincat@EARTHLINK.NET writes:

>  David if they are steel I don't believe you can anodize them,
>  anoddizing must be done only on non-ferrous metals.  They may have been
>  heated with oil on them or they could have been case hardened, that will
>  leave a purple pattern on the surface.  Feel free to correct me any
>  where  I am wrong , I won't take it as a flame.
>
>      DrRufo
>      SOCal-81 vanagon
>