Cleaning Seatbelts

[John in SoCal]

What's the best way to clean an original set of seatbelts?

[DPowers]

Dishwasher

[John in SoCal]

Years ago I had a friend that had a stainless Colt Python revoler. He had a cousin who told him it would be idea to clean his revolver in the dishwasher. Well he did, I guess it worked all right but it took every bit of oil off. Needless to say everything that needed to be oiled was not oiled. After a little while he I ended up with a rusty mess, mostly on the inside. Anyhow, I guess seatbelts who hold up a lot better.

[Lee H]

I let them sit in a bucket of woolite and hot water for an hour or so. Gently brush as needed an rinse. Real bad ones my need another soak. They come out amazingly clean.

[russgoodman]

I did similar to what Lee did, except I sprayed mine with spray n wash and soaked them in the sink in hot water and tide detergent. I also poured a little of the spray n wash in the water. I let it sit for an hour or so, then took a soft plastic bristle brush and put the belt under hot running water and scrubbed with the brush until no dirty water washed off the belt as I scrubbed.

Hung them up to dry and then dyed them with Rit dye. I only did the center belt because at the time they just released repro sets in black, so I bought them.

This was all with the buckle removed.

Some guys have used a power washer on them with good results. I didnt because of water rationing at the time.

Good luck!

[cdowns]

i like cleaning with gojo hand cleaner

[BMERDOC]

I let mine sit in a bucket of hot water and clothes detergent for a day and then hit them with the pressure washer. I took care to stay away from the date tag. The dirt rolled right out of them and once they were dry they were nice and clean and pliable again. Mine could use a dye job and a repaint on the buckles.

[John in SoCal]

Thanks for all of the tips. Haven't started yet but will soon enough. Those bolts are buggers to get out aren't they!!! Hit them with some liquid wrench but haven't gone back to them yet. John

[leddzepp]

I use simple green and a nylon brush. I would guess all of the above methods work great as well.

[snipescastle2]

I took mine and put them in the clothes washer with my jeans, turned out pretty good, just don't put them in the dryer, trust me, you won't like the noise!!! (I hung mine up in the garage and let them air dry)
HTH,
Ben

[PanelDeland]

Originally Posted by John in SoCal

Thanks for all of the tips. Haven't started yet but will soon enough. Those bolts are buggers to get out aren't they!!! Hit them with some liquid wrench but haven't gone back to them yet. John

Loctite or the equivalent on all I've ever removed.

[michael bustamante]

have anyof you guys redyed them a different color?

[thzpcs]

I've dyed mine black, but I've never tried other colors.

[TKCR]

i have a steam carpet extractor and do some detailing on the side. I have used it on some really dirty seatbelts, and you don't have to remove the belts. I just did a car that had tan belts and they really show the dirt. They came out great, I wished i had taken before & after pics to show the difference.

Extractors can be rented for the day. Get one and do your carpets and seats to make it worthwhile to rent. I do have a pic of my carpet & seat, it really brought the color back. You can see the line on the hump, where it is bringing the color back to life.

[tommys72]

I sprayed a set of red 68 belts with purple power, and pressure washed them. Looked like new afterwards.