Another metal refinishing question

I have been checking out info on anodizing, I at least have a crude
understanding of what anodizing is now. What about an alternative to
anodizing? A thought I had was to just have a body shop professionally clear
coat the strips after I've sanded and polished them, would this work? Or what
about these places that "jet coat" or "powder coat" metals, would that be an
acceptable substitute, or won't look right at all?
Dan