seat belt cleaning - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1972 C10 · 12-01-2019, 05:16 PM

What's the best product to try to revive 72 Highlander white seat belts. Not horrible, but not "white" either.

Astro-Balls · 12-01-2019, 06:38 PM

Soak the parts you can in Woolite, scrub with a brush, repeat.. Rinse.
If you have grease stains, use Purple Power, rinse repeat..

**LockDoc** · 12-01-2019, 08:35 PM

-
I pressure wash mine after performing Astro's suggestions. Gets them pretty clean.

LockDoc

VWNate1 · 12-01-2019, 10:37 PM

I do a lot of this because factory correct seat belts are nice and work well as well as look good .

As mentioned : Woolite, first run warm water over them in the sink and work your fingers in to release and rinse away the looser dust and sweat residue .

Then work up a tub of warm soapy Woolite and begin at one end and slowly and gently scrub them with a soft bristle brush, do one whole side end to end, flip it over and repeat .

When finished rinse well with warm water and hang up dry, you'll be well pleased at the results .

Most smaller race tracks have adverts for local places that will re web your old nasty rotted away belts that have good unrusted buckles .

This way you can make up effectively new sets with perfect buckles collected from various different colored seat belts found under the seats of junked trucks .

**leddzepp** · 12-01-2019, 10:40 PM

Simple green and a stiff bristle brush works great for me.

VWNate1 · 12-01-2019, 10:51 PM

You're working with 50 year old nylon webbing, be smart and don't use stiff brushes....

**special-K** · 12-01-2019, 10:57 PM

If someone knows a way that cleans as well but doesn't harm the tags I'm all ears. But I have great success with mixing a strong solution of Purple Power in a bucket, drop the belts in, and forget about them a day or more. Then I scrub with a regular scrub brush and power wash. I have had just a garden hose with spray nozzle work just fine. I have done dozens of belts this way to go from looking black to whatever color they are supposed to be

**leddzepp** · 12-01-2019, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VWNate1

You're working with 50 year old nylon webbing, be smart and don't use stiff brushes....

A bristle brush doesn’t cause any damage...if you really want to be smart don’t use 50 year old nylon webbing.

**Steeveedee** · 12-01-2019, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

A bristle brush doesn’t cause any damage...if you really want to be smart don’t use 50 year old nylon webbing.

That right there is the answer I was looking for. 50-year old belts can't possibly be up to the standard of new. I got rid of the old seat belts a couple of years ago. Nylon loses its stretchability after some number of years (10?) and is useless in a wreck. Something to consider.

**68bowtie** · 12-02-2019, 01:32 AM

I have caused some minor fraying (if you look closely) due to using a stiff bristled brush (I use simple green also), so I ditto the soft brush comments if you are concerned about that.

**special-K** · 12-02-2019, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

That right there is the answer I was looking for. 50-year old belts can't possibly be up to the standard of new. I got rid of the old seat belts a couple of years ago. Nylon loses its stretchability after some number of years (10?) and is useless in a wreck. Something to consider.

Actually, unless there is visible wear or damage, there is no reason nylon couldn't last about forever. This might (might not, too) be true for extremely sun faded belts. But they could have half their original strength and be more than ever required. I have nylon web 1' ratchet straps I have been securing loads so tight over edges I can play a tune on that are 25-40 years old. The only time one has broken was where it got a cut in it from being tightened over a sharp edge. Simply placing a piece of cardboard on the edge prevents that. I still used that strap for years until it only had about 1/2" left. Then just for less crucial uses. These straps are rated at 1,500# @ 1" and they are not designed to be a safety device. The material and web weave in seat belts gives them a much greater load bearing rating by design.

**Jcfcamaro** · 12-02-2019, 01:22 PM

I fill up a 5 gal bucket with dawn dish soap and let soak a day or 2 stirring and moving them around several times. You would not believe how dirty the water/soap becomes. I do the bucket thing 2x then hand clean them with a soft brush.

**special-K** · 12-02-2019, 07:27 PM

Swamp water. How about the black residue left in the bottom of the bucket?

TwoFiftyShifter · 12-02-2019, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Swamp water. How about the black residue left in the bottom of the bucket?

Makes for a mighty strong cup of joe.

12-01-2019, 05:16 PM	#1
1972 C10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Amarillo, Texas Posts: 49	seat belt cleaning What's the best product to try to revive 72 Highlander white seat belts. Not horrible, but not "white" either. __________________ 64 Chevy Suburban/Carryall 4x4 72 C10 Highlander LWB 34 Chevy 5 wdo Street Rod 64 Corvette Roadster w/AC 78 TransAm WS6 78 GMC Jimmy 2WD Slammed SOLD!

12-01-2019, 06:38 PM	#2
Astro-Balls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 822	Re: seat belt cleaning Soak the parts you can in Woolite, scrub with a brush, repeat.. Rinse. If you have grease stains, use Purple Power, rinse repeat.. __________________ 1968 C20 Fleetside 396 4sp PS PB AC CST . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWK8GgWD4uA

12-01-2019, 08:35 PM	#3
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,771	Re: seat belt cleaning - I pressure wash mine after performing Astro's suggestions. Gets them pretty clean. LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

12-01-2019, 10:37 PM	#4
VWNate1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: So. Cali. Posts: 2,664	seat belt cleaning I do a lot of this because factory correct seat belts are nice and work well as well as look good . As mentioned : Woolite, first run warm water over them in the sink and work your fingers in to release and rinse away the looser dust and sweat residue . Then work up a tub of warm soapy Woolite and begin at one end and slowly and gently scrub them with a soft bristle brush, do one whole side end to end, flip it over and repeat . When finished rinse well with warm water and hang up dry, you'll be well pleased at the results . Most smaller race tracks have adverts for local places that will re web your old nasty rotted away belts that have good unrusted buckles . This way you can make up effectively new sets with perfect buckles collected from various different colored seat belts found under the seats of junked trucks . __________________ -Nate Geezer '49 3100 235 W/ Muncie SM420 SOLD '69 C/10 shortbed sidemount survivor 250 L6 W/ 350TH

12-01-2019, 10:40 PM	#5
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,031	Re: seat belt cleaning Simple green and a stiff bristle brush works great for me. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

12-01-2019, 10:51 PM	#6
VWNate1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: So. Cali. Posts: 2,664	Re: seat belt cleaning You're working with 50 year old nylon webbing, be smart and don't use stiff brushes.... __________________ -Nate Geezer '49 3100 235 W/ Muncie SM420 SOLD '69 C/10 shortbed sidemount survivor 250 L6 W/ 350TH

12-01-2019, 10:57 PM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: seat belt cleaning If someone knows a way that cleans as well but doesn't harm the tags I'm all ears. But I have great success with mixing a strong solution of Purple Power in a bucket, drop the belts in, and forget about them a day or more. Then I scrub with a regular scrub brush and power wash. I have had just a garden hose with spray nozzle work just fine. I have done dozens of belts this way to go from looking black to whatever color they are supposed to be __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-02-2019, 01:32 AM	#10
68bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 8,795	Re: seat belt cleaning I have caused some minor fraying (if you look closely) due to using a stiff bristled brush (I use simple green also), so I ditto the soft brush comments if you are concerned about that. __________________ Please help my sister in law with her battle with cancer https://gofund.me/902f6fce Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) SOLD Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh) SOLD

12-02-2019, 01:22 PM	#12
Jcfcamaro Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Fairfax, Missouri Posts: 1,049	Re: seat belt cleaning I fill up a 5 gal bucket with dawn dish soap and let soak a day or 2 stirring and moving them around several times. You would not believe how dirty the water/soap becomes. I do the bucket thing 2x then hand clean them with a soft brush.

12-02-2019, 07:27 PM	#13
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: seat belt cleaning Swamp water. How about the black residue left in the bottom of the bucket? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

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