67 PB booster plating

[John H.]

I am freshening up my engine compartment on my 67 coupe along with suspension. I sent my booster (it was leaking but the orig unit with 100k miles) and my mc lid to the rebuilder in OR. He has done the last 3 for me and I've been satisfied. This time both items came back with some gold and lots of "green" with reddish purple. This is beyond "some rainbow" color. I'm not happy and feel that both items should be redone but now have lost confidence in giving him another shot. Now my question to the forum: can they be replated and whom would you recommend? I need to turn these around fairly soon. He rebuilt the booster so I only need plating. I went thru the current Driveline but couldn't find an ad for anyone. Thought I saw a couple in the last issue but I can't find it. Anyone got a name and number for me? Your thoughts?
Thanks in advance.
John Harp (9049)

[Stephen L.]

Re: 67 PB booster plating

Steve Gregori in California... http://www.brakeboosters.com/

[John H.]

Re: 67 PB booster plating

Thanks Stephen. I had forgot about Gregori. He has done work for me in the past. I called him and he is going to "fix" my problem. Just to add to the facts, the OR company agreed to take the booster back and replate at no charge. I just don't have the turn-a-round time if it comes back the "same".

[Russ S.]

Re: 67 PB booster plating

Have you tried rubbing it out with a soft cloth? I was able to do just that on one of mine that had too much gold color.

[William F.]

Re: 67 PB booster plating

There's some gold stuff in a tube sold at Hobby Lobby that you rub on and some say gives look of the plating.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 67 PB booster plating

The gold stuff in a tube isn't that great.

I've been able to wipe an oil such as PreLube 6 on a gold iridite part, and it toned down the colors notably.
Just something to consider.

[Dick W.]

Re: 67 PB booster plating

Booster Dewey

[John H.]

Re: 67 PB booster plating

He's (BD)the one that started my "problem". He rebuilt the booster but sends all his stuff out to a plater which is where he lost control. I'm surprised he let this go out (if he even saw it finished) It's not too much gold, it's not enough. Too much green and red, big splotches. I would post a pic but I've already boxed both items up to ship out to Gregori tomorrow. I tried rubbing/polishing with a soft cloth to no avail. The PreLube 6 might tone down the colors but they will still be "toned down wrong colors". I wish I had posted a pic in my orig post. The booster looked like a half ripe tomato with 50% gold. Same for the mc lid. I do appreciate the advice and suggestions but I think replating is my best option given what I've got. As stated in my reply to Stephen, BD did offer to replate at no charge. Lightning only need strike me once. I'm not posting to bash anyone but wanted names of someone to help remedy my situation. That was provided, thanks to all who responded.
John

[Stewart L.]

Re: 67 PB booster plating

I just got one back from Oregon and had the same problem, way too gold. I have others I have sent him that are fine, but not this one.

[John H.]

Re: 67 PB booster plating

Same here, he did 2 previous boosters and they came back "nice" and passed judging. I think any "blame" should be directed at his outside plater sourcing. You have to have some final quality control before a finished product (replated and rebuilt) leaves your business because YOUR company's name is on the final product, not a middle man. Sorry to hear that you've got the same problem but your post confirms that I'm not entirely "crazy" but just slightly senile.

[Dick W.]

Re: 67 PB booster plating

Same here, he did 2 previous boosters and they came back "nice" and passed judging. I think any "blame" should be directed at his outside plater sourcing. You have to have some final quality control before a finished product (replated and rebuilt) leaves your business because YOUR company's name is on the final product, not a middle man. Sorry to hear that you've got the same problem but your post confirms that I'm not entirely "crazy" but just slightly senile.

The coloring depends on how clean the plating chemicals. The dirtier they are the duller the finish. New, fresh chemicals will result in more colors. AND to think that all the boosters installed at St Louis were identical in color......

[James W.]

Re: 67 PB booster plating

Mine is due back from Steve at BD today or tomorrow. I hope it looks correct enough for judging.

James West

[James W.]

Re: 67 PB booster plating

Here are some pictures of my PB booster that I just received from Booster Steve/Dewey. What are your thoughts for flight judging?

[John H.]

Re: 67 PB booster plating

I'm not a judge so I can't answer your "flight judging' question, but I can say that yours is 100% better than the one I received just 2 weeks prior from BD. Your colors are more subdued and in my opinion, has the correct "rainbow" appearance desired. I could have lived with that.

[James W.]

Re: 67 PB booster plating

I took Patrick's advise and applied some PreLube 6 with a terrycloth rag on the bottom/back side of my newly plated brake booster and it did tone down the colors. Will most likely apply it to the entire assembly and then wipe off any excess and see how it looks. I'm planning to install it as is and see what some time spent with the under hood heat does.

Thanks for the tip Patrick.

Regards,

James