what was the correct Power booster plating

[1cool13L78]

Does anyone know what the correct power booster plating should be???

Every single original car I have seen has more of a silver cad tint yet all the reproductions and restorations are bright gold cadmium plating.. looks pretty but I don't think GM made them this way...

and if I am right about this is there anyone doing it correctly that I could send mine to for restoration??

[RamAirDave]

Often, the original plating has faded to a more silver color after 40 years.

I've used Steve Gregori for many years, always had good results: www.brakeboosters.com

[Kurt S]

Open any booster up and you'll see the original plating. It's gold.

[m22mike]

Here is the inside of a 69 Camaro booster. Same part, one taken with flash. As you can see parts of the gold is faded and silvery. The same happens to the out side too, over time.
The Gold Iridite is just a final chemical wash over the clear zinc or cad plating, and is very thin ! You can wipe it out with even a fine gray scotchbright.

[Mr70]

Good pix Mike.

[SSRSBOB]

Used Steve before and we were not happy. Too much gold and too polished, looks more like jewlery than a car part. Hard to deal with too.

Bob

[Ngtflyr]

Bob,
I concur, he was rude to us and we got mixed to poor results. I will be using a different guy, but I can't promote him one here, pm me if you want my recommendation.

[micky69396]

I do them, original finish, booster, PV bracket and cap. $145 plus ship.

[Steve Gregori]

Hi there. Steve Gregori here. I'm very sorry that SSRSBOB and Nytflyr were not happy customers. If you guys would care to contact me, I would be happy to discuss your needs and to try solve any problems. I've been doing this for going on 27 years now and try to make all my customers happy, but being human, I can make mistakes too, but happy customers is still my goal. I'm sure on this board I have many prior customers who've returned again and again to me for their restoration needs. Maybe I can help you two guys too.

Just a note about shine on boosters. Years ago the boosters that had to be polished to remove pits were coming out a little shinier than I would have liked, but still better than being pitted. A few years back, I found a better way to texture the finish after the needed polishing to produce a more textured finish that didn't have such a gloss. Now my booster pieces that needed polishing have a more agreeable finish. There is no way to make them new again, but at least we're able to remove those pits that no one would accept. Always remember that even the finish inside the booster will age after 40 years exposure to engine heat, oxygen, etc. The original finish I've seen inside the 10,000 plus boosters I've taken apart varies from nice to terrible. Back then, no one cared if the finish on the booster was show. They cared how fast their Muscle Car would go. I know. My first car was a brand new 1969 Camaro. The gold zinc finish I offer is what I believe to be the optimum quality finish that you would have seen when these cars were new.
I hope this clears up a few things. I look forward to the chance to help the two guys I mentioned above.
Steve Gregori www.brakeboosters.com