Your right on about all the junk that has to be replated on a real restoration.
Here is stuff from a 69 Camaro. I usually spend north of $600 bux on one car. I am lucky to be able to get Cad done here. Much better protection than Zink. IMO.
You are correct about the gold dichromate, dwell time affects the color.
I have been doing my own booster because I do not like the supper shiny finish you sometimes get with the zinc. I do blast the parts, however I then spent X amount of time smoothing surfaces to be plated. Wire brush, scotch bright buffs, and impregnated nylon wheels.
Here is one of Gregoris boosters in Zink..he does very nice work, and is fair priced too.
