A novel, quite flexible strategy for the surface pre-treatment of graphite anodes for lithium ion cells has been developed. The treatment involves a high temperature cleaning step in inert Ar atmosphere before treatment with gaseous reactants such as CO2 or O2. The effects of surface modification on the formation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and the corresponding irreversible charge losses are discussed by way of several examples. Morphology changes due to burn-off of carbon are particularly highlighted.