Seat Belt Buckle Cover Removal

[70LonghornCST]

For those who want to remove a seat belt buckle cover to replace it, or remove the belts to dye them, here are the steps to do so:

1. Tools: Small flat screwdriver and butter knife

2. Insert the screwdriver beteen the cover and the buckle. You will notice a small plastic tab on the buckle cover that fits into a slot on the buckle.

3. With the screwdriver still in place, insert the butter knife between the buckle cover and buckle--along side the screwdriver. Once the butter knife is inserted, remove the screwdriver.

4. Next, insert the butter knife in the same position on the opposite side

5. Once the knife is in place between the plastic tab and the slot in the buckle that it fits into, begin to carefully pry the plastic cover out of the buckle with the screwdriver.

6. Keep prying slowly until you see the buckle come out about this far:

7. Next, take the screwdriver and repeat the process on the opposite side. BE CAREFUL not to let the plastic cover re-seat itself back into the buckle, or you will have to repeat the previous steps.

8. Pry the second side out the same distance as the first side:

9. Once both plastic tabs of the buckle cover are free from the little slots in the buckle, pull apart.

10. You're done!

[Tuff Gong]

70LonghornCST,

Thank you so much for taking the time to show and document that procedure. That was exactly what I needed. I will be using the technique tomorrow and will let you know how it comes out. I hope that others on the site find it as useful as I did. By the way, great pictures.

[Dieselwrencher]

Thanks for the detail write up and pics. Do you plan on doing one for dying the seat belts by chance?

[Tuff Gong]

I will be dying my recently purchased center seat belt. It is a little faded, so dying it will hopefully bring it back to that nice original black color.

[70LonghornCST]

Originally Posted by Brian Atkinson

70LonghornCST,

Thank you so much for taking the time to show and document that procedure. That was exactly what I needed. I will be using the technique tomorrow and will let you know how it comes out. I hope that others on the site find it as useful as I did. By the way, great pictures.

You are welcome, Brian! Good luck tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Thanks for the detail write up and pics. Do you plan on doing one for dying the seat belts by chance?

Thanks! No, I already dyed the belts that I have now, but if I get any more (to build shoulder belts), I'll post some pictures.

Originally Posted by Brian Atkinson

I will be dying my recently purchased center seat belt. It is a little faded, so dying it will hopefully bring it back to that nice original black color.

If you are dying black with black, they'll come out perfect! However, when dying a light color, like beige, they won't be an exact black match if you are using RIT dye. But RIT black dye works great on faded belts that were originally black.

[Dieselwrencher]

Where's the best place to get the dye at? Thanks Ryan.

[70LonghornCST]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Where's the best place to get the dye at? Thanks Ryan.

You can usually find RIT dye in many grocery stores or large drug store chains. Raley's, Safeway, CVS, Walgreens, RiteAid, or Walmart. If still no luck, try a fabric store.

[screaminchevypickup]

Have you ever dyed green belts black and if so how do the turn out
Posted via Mobile Device

[70LonghornCST]

Originally Posted by screaminchevypickup

Have you ever dyed green belts black and if so how do the turn out
Posted via Mobile Device

Sorry, but no, I have not. However, based on how the beige acted when mixed with black, I would venture to guess that any dark color belt should turn out fine. It's the light colored belts that are hard to get completely black due to the dye not penetrating the fabric completely. I am sure that there is a dye out there that will do the trick for any color, but RIT is not it. If using RIT dye, make sure the belt is already a dark color. I will take some clippings of different color belts at the auto wreckers on my next visit and do some experimenting.

[screaminchevypickup]

Originally Posted by 70LonghornCST

Sorry, but no, I have not. However, based on how the beige acted when mixed with black, I would venture to guess that any dark color belt should turn out fine. It's the light colored belts that are hard to get completely black due to the dye not penetrating the fabric completely. I am sure that there is a dye out there that will do the trick for any color, but RIT is not it. If using RIT dye, make sure the belt is already a dark color. I will take some clippings of different color belts at the auto wreckers on my next visit and do some experimenting.

Thanks
Posted via Mobile Device

[myoldchevytruck]

This is a GREAT WRITE UP! THANKS 70LONGHORNCST. I inquired last week about this. I recently picked up a bench seat set (3) of parchment seat belts and plan to dye them black, hopefully, this up coming week sometime. I will take b4 and after pics. The RIT Dye is at the local grocery store as stated above for about $2.50 a box. The buckle removal procedure will make to outcome of the reconditioned seat belts so much nicer.

Again, Thanks

A Staff Member should forward this to the FAQ Section.

[dave2953]

Originally Posted by myoldchevytruck

A Staff Member should forward this to the FAQ Section.

Definitely!

[Tuff Gong]

70LonghornCST,

Worked just like the thread. I dyed my belt (twice) and with any luck will have it installed tonight. Thanks again.

Brian

[myoldchevytruck]

Originally Posted by Brian Atkinson

70LonghornCST,

Worked just like the thread. I dyed my belt (twice) and with any luck will have it installed tonight. Thanks again.

Brian

Brian, how did dying it twice do? What color were your belts originally? I called RIT today and inquired on the light color fabric belts opposed to a darker color and it was suggested to follow the stove top directions but to use (2) packs of RIT dye instead of 1 with 3 gallons of water (I have parchment color seat belts). I'm going to dye mine over the weekend, i'll take before and after pictures. I am going to follow the procedures posted above by 70 LonghornCST for the buckle removal.

[myoldchevytruck]

WOW!!! Thanks for the easy removal procedures 70LonghornCST, a lil' patience and WALA.....All three are easily removed and no breaks, Amazing!

[68Mike]

Is there a specific way to dye these with the RIT dye. I've used it for dying clothes in the washer but never anywhere else. Thanks
Posted via Mobile Device

[myoldchevytruck]

Originally Posted by 68Mike

Is there a specific way to dye these with the RIT dye. I've used it for dying clothes in the washer but never anywhere else. Thanks
Posted via Mobile Device

Here is the link to the RIT Dye "Stovetop" Method. This is the best method for dying seatbelts according to RIT

www.ritdye.com/dyeing-techniques/stovetop

[Dieselwrencher]

Thanks for that link Harry!

[Jacfourteen]

I don't know how much truth there is to it, but I heard on another thread on here that it's not a good idea to heat the belts (stovetop method) because it can weaken them. Like I said I don't know if true or not, but figured that I'd throw it out there. At any rate let us know how they turn out, as I have mismatched seatbelts in my truck now and I've been considering dying them so they match.

[Tuff Gong]

Originally Posted by myoldchevytruck

Brian, how did dying it twice do? What color were your belts originally? I called RIT today and inquired on the light color fabric belts opposed to a darker color and it was suggested to follow the stove top directions but to use (2) packs of RIT dye instead of 1 with 3 gallons of water (I have parchment color seat belts). I'm going to dye mine over the weekend, i'll take before and after pictures. I am going to follow the procedures posted above by 70 LonghornCST for the buckle removal.

Dying it twice worked good for me. I was only dying black on black. The belts I dyed were a little faded. With the first pass one of them came out kinda purple. After the second time it was good to go. I did not use the stove top method, but I added way more dye then the directions noted and just enough hot water to submerge the belts completely. Let me know how it comes out, I'm very interested.

[myoldchevytruck]

Originally Posted by Brian Atkinson

Dying it twice worked good for me. I was only dying black on black. The belts I dyed were a little faded. With the first pass one of them came out kinda purple. After the second time it was good to go. I did not use the stove top method, but I added way more dye then the directions noted and just enough hot water to submerge the belts completely. Let me know how it comes out, I'm very interested.

Brian, What method did you use to dye your belts? Harry

[Tuff Gong]

I basically followed the directions on the bottle, but I use more dye and less water. Put the dye in a tub of very hot water and stirred it up. I also left the belts in the dye for a few hours. Hope it helps.

[myoldchevytruck]

Originally Posted by Brian Atkinson

I basically followed the directions on the bottle, but I use more dye and less water. Put the dye in a tub of very hot water and stirred it up. I also left the belts in the dye for a few hours. Hope it helps.

Thanks Brian, Hopefully by the weekend, I'll have mine done. I'll post b4 and after pictures.

[grs]

I plan to dye my blue belts black. I will use a 5 gallon bucket of hot water. Do I have to wash them off with warm water when they are done?

[myoldchevytruck]

Originally Posted by grs

I plan to dye my blue belts black. I will use a 5 gallon bucket of hot water. Do I have to wash them off with warm water when they are done?

start off with warm and then cold water. Run them under the water till the water is COMPLETELY clear to assure all of the excess dye has been removed