My attempt at restoring/cleaning a set of seat belts

[leddzepp]

Here's the write-up I did a while back: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=309433&page=2

[Thealien]

I tried doing a search and never found your post. Search only goes 100 posts deep? Looks good. I am surprised that the buckled bleached out so white?

[Thealien]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Great write up on restoring these old belts.

I have a question, when you scrubed the belt itself, did you notice the fabric losing its factory appearance? (It's tough to explain, but did you notice the belts became a little more "fuzzy" after scrubbing?)

Not at all, they look new!!

[Neal Molder]

Nice job!!!! I never thought that was possible.

[Thealien]

Just bumping this up in case anyone is interested.

[swamp rat]

I think they look great! Very nice job.

I'm not a neysayer but for me after growing up without seatbelts and then after the law changed here in Washington, i just don't feel comfortable with only a lap belt anymore so i bought a 3 point system. for me saftey first unless i was going for an all origional restoration, if that were the case i'd be doing the same thing.

[LEEVON]

They look great! Can I ask how did you re-wind the retractors? I did my belts just like yours last year and thought I had done the retractors right but now they just flop out of my doors, DOH!

[67chevylongbed]

Those look great, thanks for the write up. I'm going to do mine tomorrow.

[nasqar]

We are all driving 30+ year old trucks, with older brake technology, no air bags or fancy crumple zones. The racing industry has regulations because they drive slighly faster than 65 mph. I believe the belts will have much more damage from the UV/heat than the cleaners or dye. I don't think any of us picked these rides for their safety features!

This is a fantastic job of using a little elbow grease and ingenuity. These are definitely something to be proud of.

[special-K]

Mark,those look fantastic.Nylon was a well developed material by the late-60s and about indestructible with only flame and sharp edges/abrasion being the enemy.I have cleaned dozens of seat belt sets using Lestoil,so I'm sure something as mild as Simple Green is harmless.They were made to be cleaned.Is there an upholstery cleaner that is any milder?40 years of cleaning is proof.Besides,didn't the NHTSA deem lap belt inadequate when they mandated lap/shoulder belts in "all" cars and trucks?Something about severing the lower spinal chord.You may want these belts to snap once they've taken the initial impact.I wear my shoulder belts and leave my lap belt retracted.

[nasqar]

We have a newer set of 3-point seat belts. How in the world do you take these apart to dye them and yet put them back together? They are dk blue and need to be black. Can anyone lead me to a site/link to show me the steps to take them apart?

[highliner]

I dyed my belts black last summer. Looked awesome but I kept getting this horrible black powder that would get all over my hands, shirt, everything. Even after a year it still does it. So I just tucked them under the seat and only pull them out for car shows!

[Thealien]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

They look great! Can I ask how did you re-wind the retractors? I did my belts just like yours last year and thought I had done the retractors right but now they just flop out of my doors, DOH!

That is a little involved for trying to describe without a full tutorial and pictures. If you look at the retractor mecanism there is a slot or something to hold the spring tensioner in place. You also have to preload (wind the spring just enough) for them to work properly. It is not too hard once you look at it and give it a little thought. Maybe I'll do a write up on that part?

[1956cameo]

I am glad this thread got brought back from the dead. This is very helpful for those of us that need to do the same thing.

[GMCjunkie]

Wow! Beautiful job! They look awesome!!
Im getting ready to do that to mine, my only concern would be the dye comming off on your clothes with sweat, moisture etc? Any one else had any problems with that??

[Thealien]

Originally Posted by GMCjunkie

Wow! Beautiful job! They look awesome!!
Im getting ready to do that to mine, my only concern would be the dye coming off on your clothes with sweat, moisture etc? Any one else had any problems with that??

I have not had any problems with dye transfer or leaking into clothes. That being said they are also not used very often.

I was asked in a PM how you get the webbing out of the buckle. Once you have the plastic cover off and take the button out you will see the knurled bar that the belt goes around. I work the belt so that the folded/sewn part is against that knurled bar with some slack on the other side (not pulled tight against the knurled bar. Then with a little work you can work the belt out of the buckle. Pay attention to which way the folded/sewn part is for when you put it back together.

You can also remove the retractor end. You first remove the plastic cover. You will then see the belt wrapped around the retractor. When you pull the belt out you will see a clip that secures the loop in the belt to the spring/drum part of the retractor. Make note of which way the belt wraps around the retractor (clockwise/counter clockwise) and then remove that clip with a screwdriver. Then take the nut off the end also paying attention to which direction the bolt goes through the retractor/spring assembly. Putting it back together can take a few tries. You have to get the clip on the belt and then wind the spring, bolt, retractor assembly until you have enough spring tension to roll the belt back up.

I will try to add a pictorial in the coming weeks to make it easier to understand.

[Sicmaro]

What is the easiest way to remove the plastic covers on the belts?

[bosco200]

Those look Great!