Yes, I do agree with you that some parts are ridiculously expensive and the dealer profit margins must be astronomical, hence why I mentioned picking up a good original used set.
I like most other people hate getting ripped off but also can't bear poor quality, there's just too much of it around nowadays and with todays incredible technology, there really doesn't need to be.
I've always thought that the car manufacturers don't make money when they build and sell a car but on the servicing and parts. If you bought the spare parts separately a car would cost you a million pounds.
The lacquering sounds a good idea to get a longer life out of them as long as the fit is good and they are not loose and don't rattle ?