I really want to get my standard 16" Fabia VRS alloys powder coated to a mat black finish. Think this looks wicked on a silver car. Only problem is, I have know idea where to take them to be done. I've done a google & Yell.com searchs for powder coating companies and have found some in my local area. Seems like these places are general powder coating companies not specialising in alloys. Guess this means that they wont be able to properly rebalance and fit wheels after they are done?

Suppose what I'm trying to ask is, are there spacific alloy powder coating companies out there? Possibly places that will put alternative wheels on whilst the powder coating takes place so that the car can still be driven?

P.s I'm in the Bournemouth area so any suggestions of companies would be much apreciated.

Look for an alloy refurb company. These will generally strip, blast and powder coat.

Any bodyshop will be able to spray them up for you.

OK, so the finish wont be as durable as powercoating you might need to wax them a little more often - but I've heard that the powdercoating process can weaken alloys as it involves heating them to high temps.

What you will likely find is one of two options with companies who will take the wheels and hand them back, redone and ready to drive:

1) a company which will do everything in house but charge accordingly as their machines won't be as heavily worked as a specialised tyre fitter.

2) a powdercoater who has a deal with a local tyre fitter who will do the wheels and then just pass on the cost to you of getting the tyres refitted and balanced.

Option 2 is likely to be cheaper and the route that I went down in Edinburgh on my HGT Bravo and Vectra ST200 (with white wheels I might add!). If you're in Edinburgh then BBS (Bead Blasting Services) are fantastic and the guy does a lot of show motorbike frames. There isn't the same number of silvers that he can offer compared to a specialist wheel repainter where they can mix up anything but the quality of finish is second to none and the guy is really enthusiastic about cars and bikes so understands what people are looking for.