what was the correct Power booster plating
 

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??

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

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

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

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

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

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.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSCF6951.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSCF6952.jpg

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

Good pix Mike.

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

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

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

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.

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

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

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

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

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

I've had Steve Gregori do several of the boosters from my past and current projects. He also did the booster on the T/A as well as the hood hinges and some misc brackets. I was quite happy with the results.

http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/r...b/S7004854.jpg

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat...=0&fpart=43

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

Steve has done work on my "junk" in the past, and I'm positive, he'll get the nod in the future too. My Nova project will definitely use his pieces. His work is first rate as far as I'm concerned, and at least in my book, a good guy too.

Wayne Scraba

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

Steve has done most of my plating for close to 10 years. I cannot recall ever being dissatisfied with the results.

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

Steve did my booster a long time ago, and after a couple of years, it started to lose its gold. He redid it for nothing. I call that good service, well after the fact.

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

Steve,

I will call you tomorrow. Our order was less than a year ago, I'm sure you will remember it. We sent in at least five boosters with five very different results. Also sent some other stuff, hinges, latches etc. Problems were with the initial call we got back from you and results two of the boosters, one booster in particular that needs redone. Love to discuss it.

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

For the record, I did receive the wrong upper(male) portion of the hood latch, not sure what car it was for but was definitely the wrong one, holes didn't line up to the hood. Steve, had me send it back and after his next plating run sent me the correct one back, if I remember right he covered the ride too. For this reason I didn't post anything negative earlier.

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

Overall I was very happy with my Booster that Steve restored. I didnt communicate to him that it would be great to still see the Delco m stamp afterwards, so it was polished/buffed out. Most likely because of the pitting. Would i send my next booster to him? yeah.

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

I've used Steve for 10 plus years. He has plated my boosters and Z-bars and hinges/ latches and very satisfied. Quick turn around as well. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

You two that bitched about Steve I'm going to beat with a stick.

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

I was going to handle this between Steve and I but since Charlie is calling me out and saying I need to be beaten for expressing my one and only experience with this vendor. I know you are a big player here and I am just a nobody, maybe I will get kicked off here too. I just was just giving an honest assessment on how we were treated, and I can back it up. I think I am pretty careful not to bash anyone on here, in this case I was just letting people know it's not all roses and sunshine in this case. I will call him today and it things are made right I will let you all know.

Here's some background. We sent in a rather large order 5 boosters, hood hinges, latches and other items to be plated. We were told to send it all in before Steve could tell us what the cost would be. When our shipment arrived we got a phonecall, saying where's the check? Steve was rude and ranting on the phone wanting his money, what were we supposed to do send a blank check, we didn't know what the total was. He threatened to put our crap out on the curb and we could pick it up. Nice, we live in AZ and he's in CA. We got him calmed down and assured him we would send a check if we knew how much to send. We kinda chalked it up to him having a bad day.

When the boosters arrived,(all five were nice AZ non-pitted boosters) two were perfect, one was nice on the front and piss-poor on the back and two were crap. One of the ugly ones went on a driver, the owner was not happy and it's still on the car. The one that was half bad is on my Z, fortunately the worst of it is on the lower back half. The other crap one was to go on a 67Z, it's sitting on a shelf, I can take pictures and post them if anyone is interested. Charlie, I doubt you would want it on your 67Z. It was sent with special instuctions and extra money was sent to ensure it was done right since it was going on a special piece. Extra money was sent to put on a blank front side so no lettering (Delco) would be visible. Again this was a nice dated core. What we got was the original cover with the Delco partially ground off but very visible and a spotty plateing job. It was not what was agreed on over the phone. The owner complained but nothing was ever offered up. I was going to do a post at the time but since my issue with the wrong latch was resolved I chose to not get involved. To Steve's credit the latch was taken care of to my satisfaction.

The overwhelming majority here seem to be happy with Steve's work, I was just letting you know that my experience was a bad one. We tried to resolve the issue and came away dissatisfied. I was just expressing the truth as I see it. Charlie, I have met you and been to your place, I am very suprised you want to beat me with a stick for expressing an honest opinion about your friend. Again I can back up everything I've posted on here and feel I need to stand my ground. Guess I won't be posting on here very much in the future.

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

Dave, Charley has an odd sense of humor. He meant it tongue and cheek. We have a https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...arleySucks.gif icon for a reason. Feel free to use it anytime. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

Geeze Louise...I was just kidding. As far as Steve's work, I consider it the best and have never had a problem. He has always been reasonable on price and usually you could also ship other small pieces to be plated at the same time and there was no charge. There are guys in the resto world that I put on the A+ list. I put Steve for boosters and Eric for carbs on that list. These are the guys I consider all around good guys and I want them to succeed. The problems you had with him are very out of character from what I have seen. I hope you contact Steve and let him try to solve your problems like he has offered. I'm also sorry you thought I was serious about the stick. Can somebody please ban me.

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

I think in light of recent situations on this board everyone is a little edgy and am sure Charley meant no harm by that comment. I can assure you if it was a serious comment he would not have been using a stick. I believe right now everyone on here is a little leary about posting much regardless of good or bad for fear of reprisal or negative comments. It is the main reason I have all but quit posting as it is not worth the repercussions. It is a great site but headed in the wrong direction due to a lot of peoples' misunderstandings and negative comments directed at each other. Hopefully things will change in the very near future as this has been my home page for MANY years and I have done nothing but promote this site and it's people over the last many years. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

[/ QUOTE ]Can somebody please ban me.

[/ QUOTE ]

No thats the easy way out. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif I hope we can all move on and start focusing on fun and informative issues. We have a great site here so lets take advantage of the wealth of knowledge, and the collective humor this group has.

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

Charlie, you and me... cage fight during the auctions next year. Better start training.

Don't worry guys I have a thick skin. We called Steve and have worked out a resolution for the booster gone bad. Will keep you posted on the outcome.

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

Sticks to be distributed to everyone with paid memberships beginning 4/1/10.

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

Thanks guys for all the kind words about my services. I try to keep all my customers happy. Dave, Thanks for the chance to fix your problem.
Steve

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

[ QUOTE ]
Sticks to be distributed to everyone with paid memberships beginning 4/1/10.

[/ QUOTE ]

Vintage Chevy Yardsticks? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

[ QUOTE ]
I think in light of recent situations on this board everyone is a little edgy and am sure Charley meant no harm by that comment. I can assure you if it was a serious comment he would not have been using a stick. I believe right now everyone on here is a little leary about posting much regardless of good or bad for fear of reprisal or negative comments. It is the main reason I have all but quit posting as it is not worth the repercussions. It is a great site but headed in the wrong direction due to a lot of peoples' misunderstandings and negative comments directed at each other. Hopefully things will change in the very near future as this has been my home page for MANY years and I have done nothing but promote this site and it's people over the last many years. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Amen brother.

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

[ QUOTE ]
Charlie, you and me... cage fight during the auctions next year. Better start training.

Don't worry guys I have a thick skin. We called Steve and have worked out a resolution for the booster gone bad. Will keep you posted on the outcome.

[/ QUOTE ]


"...don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I'm training to be a cage fighter. "

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ynamite_13.jpg

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

I'll chime in here and say that in over 10 years of using Steve's services I've always had outstanding results with boosters,phospate coatings and zinc finishes.
His attention to the details make my projects first class.
Keep up the great work Steve.

Shaun.

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

Did you know Steve's a retired USAF Chief Master Sergeant? Only 1% of the total enlisted force make it to that rank.

Thanks for your past service Chief and your service to muscle car restorations. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

My mistake. Actually Steve is a retired Master Sergeant. Thanks again for your service and for correcting my glaring mistake.
john

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

Thanks everyone.. learned a lot and now know what to do... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: John S.</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Overall I was very happy with my Booster that Steve restored. I didnt communicate to him that it would be great to still see the Delco m stamp afterwards, so it was polished/buffed out. Most likely because of the pitting. Would i send my next booster to him? yeah. </div></div>

I got one back that still has every pit in it, doesn't even look like they sanded the damn thing.

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

firstgenaddict,
Sounds like you were not happy with your booster. Did you call me to discuss this after you received it? I'd be happy to talk to you about it if you care to call. I would check your paperwork to see what notes I wrote, but I have no idea who you are.
Part of the procedure when I restore a customer's booster is to first discuss what they are expecting the booster to look like when completed and then I tell them what we have to do to get it to that point. If a booster will be pitted when completed, the customer is advised of this and then a decision is made as to whether they want to spend the extra money to polish out the pits or just do it as is. I don't sand on boosters to get the pits out. They are taken to a chrome shop, where they have the proper equipment to remove pits prior to plating.
Usually when a customer gets a booster back that has all the pits still in it, it's because they opted not pay to have them polished out.
I await your phone call.
Steve Gregori (559)875-0290 8-8 PST

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

Steve does Great Work....he has done many boosters for me....never once had a problem. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Steve, I`ll be shipping you another booster soon.

Dan

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

-----What Steve has just posted here is exactly what happened with all the boosters that I have had him re-do for me. Jokingly, I sort of dread that call because if the booster wont meet the customers demands when done I have to start looking for another core if Steve doesnt have one in stock. I always get that call back. Seems like you should have too.....Bill S

Re: what was the correct Power booster plating
 

Ditto here as well. Steve has ALWAYS called and discussed the condition of the booster with me and whether I wanted to pay the extra to have the pits removed. I don't ever recall NOT getting a call from him prior to him starting the work.

I also send him a complete inventory list as well as photo documentation of what is being shipped and what types of plating I am requesting. Even with all this information, he has always called me.