The thinners won't affect the original anodising but I suggest a layer of white primer in the letters of the stem before you actually 'slap in' some Humbrol Enamel paint of your choice.
You really have to work at the alloy and only use high grade wet & dry paper
for the anodising to look lovely you have got to ensure every scratch is removed or
they will show through the finished part. Just removing the old anodising is no good enough.
Its really worth it in the end mate and costs about £15 to be re-anodised.
The finish of the alloy has to be like this, more chrome like than alloy looking!
Exactly that Richard! You could use up to 10 sheets of wet&dry to get the anodising off and could take some
four hours of rubbing, also if the anodising is hard anodising it will take you hours to remove and in your quest...
''I'll get the f*cking stuff off no matter what''
You reach for the rough paper and then you put even more work in as you badly scratch the alloy :facepalm: