Some people take the woodgrain off entirely, and polish the aluminum. Another option is to strip and paint the pieces to match each other. The only caution is that you should use zinc chromate to prime the aluminum. Self etching paint may be an alternative to zinc chromate, but either way, paint does not like to stick to aluminum. Pulling the an having them powdercoated is a third choice, but you can not do most of that yourself as a shade tree mechanic. I have a pair of front spears that have the point on the front, and go around the marker lights. The front spears are difficult to remove without breaking the studs that go through the grommets in the body panels.