DIY Alloy wheel refurbishment question

[systemseiko]

Currently restoring my Mk 2 16V to OE,  i have a set of 14" Castelles which are in average condition and will be sending them to get dekerbed and straightened.
The engineering firm only dekerb and will not paint or powder coat etc,  i need to know what is involved in either polishing them or getting them powder coated,   and what you would expect to pay someone for doing this or materials required for you to DIY?

[DarnPB]

Check out www.wickedwheels.co.uk
I've never used them or know anyone who has so know nothing about the company, but the website looks ok.

[roy8846]

these repair and paint -

A.1 Wheels
(01902) 871422
345 Bilston Rd
Wolverhampton
WV2 2NH

quoted me 70 quid for my worst wheel with slight damage and 50 for the rest

[Bluefox]

A refurb's possible DIY, it's basically a prep, prime, paint and lacquer as is with bodywork. Obviously you've got to be good - more so with wheels tbh - and the perperation's the key.
As for polishing, I guess it's possible but it'd be a long drawn out process.

[nunny]

DIY  great if you have the time!

Before


After


I'm new to all this, my mate gave me a few pointers & now i'm hooked! 
If you can afford it then put them in & get them done professionally, but if not then give it a try, if you prep them right you should get a good result.

[Uruk Hai]

I'm in the middle of refurbing 5 BBS RA's and I flatted all 5 of the fookers myself and I'm never doing it again (3 weeks with no finger prints). Having said that I will be pleased when they're finished knowing that a lot of the work was my own and as said preparation is everything and will show in the end result. Mine are in etch primer at the moment and then they'll be painted (when I decide on the colour, suggestions ?) and then have a ton of lacquer put on them and I will only have them on the car during the summer months.

[Golf8vGti]

Ouch bet that was fun on BBS RA's specially all those fiddly little spokes 

[nunny]

  Know what you mean!  its damn hard work, next time i'm definately paying someone else!  But i am glad that i done it, ive learned loads just by simply working away on them wheels, the painting bits so rewarding!  Get some photos uploaded & give us a swatch.  BBS look schweet!

[systemseiko]

Christ would raher keep my finger prints,  luckily enough my wheels will be shot/bead blasted and ready either for painting or polishing,  can anyone tell me is it possible to get a mirror finish on allimium by simply polishing them with compound and a random orbital sander,  or does this have to get done on a lathe?