This is probably going to be a silly or basic question to most but I have very little experience actually working with aluminum. I have some purchased parts for some of my hobbies that are machined from 6061 and anodized. As the colors start to fade or wear they look like shit. Does the anodizing provide any structural integrity to the aluminum? I know there's several types ( 1, 2 # 3 and hardcoat) but excluding the hardcoat if I remove or polish the piece to bare aluminum will I be weakening the parts in any way? I also thought I read somewhere that they can heat treat aluminum. I've only HT tool steels and I know it can't be the same process. Any help or referrals to some reading is greatly appreciated. thanks