I looked into anodizing vs paint. It seems, from a shallow investigation, that anodizing etches into the surface, therefor, should not chip. There are aluminum specific paints that also etch as in aircraft paints so, they will chip but leave a residual and are very expensive. I am sure there is more to find, but I did not get too deep.

It looks (to me) as though you have an anodized piece, as the color is wearing down on it. But I'm no expert.