Seat Belts....Make The Old Look New Again - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

myoldchevytruck · 05-29-2011, 07:39 AM

About a month ago, I bought a set of stock seat belts from Craigslist. They came out of a 69' Chevy Truck and were really in need of reconditioning. Luckily, the retractor boots were in great shape as were the buckle covers, GM push buttons and chrome ends. I had heard so many good things about RIT Fabric Dye, I thought I'd give it a try. Because the belts were originally parchment in color and stained pretty bad, I used 2 packs of RIT Dye and then followed the rest of the manufacturers directions. For the plastic pieces, I used Rustolem Paint for Plastic. Pictured are before and afters.

Before

After

70 shorty · 05-29-2011, 07:44 AM

Nice job, those look great!

cdowns · 05-29-2011, 08:27 AM

i'd rather have new belts than trust my body to unknown 40year old prettied up ones

99-LS1-SS · 05-29-2011, 08:29 AM

Looks very good!

Sicklajoie · 05-29-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

i'd rather have new belts than trust my body to unknown 40year old prettied up ones

Way to drag a thread down!

myoldchevytruck · 05-29-2011, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

i'd rather have new belts than trust my body to unknown 40year old prettied up ones

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sicklajoie

Way to drag a thread down!

That's what I was kinda thinking. Ya do something and then someone comes along and shoots you in the foot. To each his own i guess

cdowns · 05-29-2011, 09:29 AM

very sorry if my safety concerns arent fashionable and hurt peoples feelings

68short · 05-29-2011, 09:30 AM

You did a great job, dont sweat the negative comments.

dan s · 05-29-2011, 09:46 AM

WOW super job,they look sweet! How did you keep the tags white? As far as the negative comments,I am sure that most of the 67 72 trucks on this site have 40 year old belts.

71sierragrande · 05-29-2011, 10:00 AM

Looks good. I tried to dye a set of seat covers black a few years ago and they came out kinda light purple, must've needed to be more concentrated. Hey, I'll take prettied up belts any day. Did everyone that has a 40 year old truck change to new belts? Highly doubtful. Way to keep OEM stuff in your truck.

Tuff Gong · 05-29-2011, 11:16 AM

Man, those look great! Really nicely done. By the way, keeping GM is the only way to go. I'm glad you went the route you did.

Brian

**leddzepp** · 05-29-2011, 11:46 AM

looks fantastic! i have used rit dye on the belts in both of my trucks, and painted the buckles in the same manner. i did a writeup on it a long time ago, but cant find the old thread. great job!
Posted via Mobile Device

68Mike · 05-29-2011, 11:54 AM

Looks really good!

I have a couple of sets that I want redone the same way so I'll send them to you since your a pro now

Posted via Mobile Device

myoldchevytruck · 05-29-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan s

WOW super job,they look sweet! How did you keep the tags white? As far as the negative comments,I am sure that most of the 67 72 trucks on this site have 40 year old belts.

Dan....to tell you the truth, I dunno why they did not turn black. I used 2 packs of dye and kept them in there longer than the package said to and the labels are still legible. Makes the belts look even better. As far as the 40 year old belts, I'm certain they'll last 40 more years if not more.

myoldchevytruck · 05-29-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71sierragrande

Looks good. I tried to dye a set of seat covers black a few years ago and they came out kinda light purple, must've needed to be more concentrated. Hey, I'll take prettied up belts any day. Did everyone that has a 40 year old truck change to new belts? Highly doubtful. Way to keep OEM stuff in your truck.

I'm with you on that one, I'm sure tons of 67-72 truck owners have the OEM belts in their trucks. As far as the light purple, dunno why that happened. Going from a light colored belt to dying it black is why I used 2 packs of RIT Dye.

fast50ranger · 05-29-2011, 03:02 PM

Nice job

myoldchevytruck · 05-29-2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Atkinson

Man, those look great! Really nicely done. By the way, keeping GM is the only way to go. I'm glad you went the route you did.

Brian

Thanks Brian, I can't wait to get the seat cover from you. I think the combo of the belts and the seat cover will look great in my truck.

myoldchevytruck · 05-29-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

looks fantastic! i have used rit dye on the belts in both of my trucks, and painted the buckles in the same manner. i did a writeup on it a long time ago, but cant find the old thread. great job!
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks Zepp, I really happy the way this stuff has worked on these belts.

myoldchevytruck · 05-29-2011, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

looks fantastic! i have used rit dye on the belts in both of my trucks, and painted the buckles in the same manner. i did a writeup on it a long time ago, but cant find the old thread. great job!
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks Zepp, I really happy the RIT Dye has worked on these belts.

BlackTopMotors · 05-29-2011, 03:40 PM

Man those came out nice, thanks for sharing!

myoldchevytruck · 05-29-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackTopMotors

Man those came out nice, thanks for sharing!

Cant wait to see how they look in the truck. Thanks

Beelzeburb · 05-29-2011, 06:46 PM

Looks great. That's exactly how I did mine 10 years ago, with RIT dye and spray paint. The belts came out black (except for the labels which stayed white) and I sprayed the plastic covers gray. They are still holding up to this day.

myoldchevytruck · 05-29-2011, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beelzeburb

Looks great. That's exactly how I did mine 10 years ago, with RIT dye and spray paint. The belts came out black (except for the labels which stayed white) and I sprayed the plastic covers gray. They are still holding up to this day.

That's a good thing to know. I plan for them to stay like this for a long time. Thanks for the input.

**72 tigger** · 05-29-2011, 07:24 PM

Nice job! I think it's always cool to take something that looks rough & make it look new. As far as cdowns (Mister Sunshine) comments go, just keep in mind there's always someone who wants to be negative & put others efforts down- unfortunately. Keep up the good work! Kirk

myoldchevytruck · 05-29-2011, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72 tigger

Nice job! I think it's always cool to take something that looks rough & make it look new. As far as cdowns (Mister Sunshine) comments go, just keep in mind there's always someone who wants to be negative & put others efforts down- unfortunately. Keep up the good work! Kirk

Thanks Kirk

05-29-2011, 07:39 AM	#1
myoldchevytruck Retired Air Force Veteran Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024 Posts: 1,808	Seat Belts....Make The Old Look New Again About a month ago, I bought a set of stock seat belts from Craigslist. They came out of a 69' Chevy Truck and were really in need of reconditioning. Luckily, the retractor boots were in great shape as were the buckle covers, GM push buttons and chrome ends. I had heard so many good things about RIT Fabric Dye, I thought I'd give it a try. Because the belts were originally parchment in color and stained pretty bad, I used 2 packs of RIT Dye and then followed the rest of the manufacturers directions. For the plastic pieces, I used Rustolem Paint for Plastic. Pictured are before and afters. Before After __________________ Harry 69' SWB Step Side 1/2 Ton w/68' Front Clip Swap from Leafs to Trailing Arms (Complete) Swap 6 Lug to 5 Lug (w/ Disk Brakes in Front) 3/6 Drop Help Support The Board Click Here For Information On How To Subscribe Krue's FAQ Page Vendors

05-29-2011, 07:44 AM	#2
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,768	Re: Seat Belts....Make The Old Look New Again Nice job, those look great! __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

05-29-2011, 08:27 AM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Seat Belts....Make The Old Look New Again i'd rather have new belts than trust my body to unknown 40year old prettied up ones __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

05-29-2011, 08:29 AM	#4
99-LS1-SS Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Oak Ridge NC Posts: 957	Re: Seat Belts....Make The Old Look New Again Looks very good!

05-29-2011, 09:29 AM	#7
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Seat Belts....Make The Old Look New Again very sorry if my safety concerns arent fashionable and hurt peoples feelings __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

05-29-2011, 09:30 AM	#8
68short Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: az Posts: 169	Re: Seat Belts....Make The Old Look New Again You did a great job, dont sweat the negative comments.

05-29-2011, 09:46 AM	#9
dan s Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ormond Beach Florida Posts: 156	Re: Seat Belts....Make The Old Look New Again WOW super job,they look sweet! How did you keep the tags white? As far as the negative comments,I am sure that most of the 67 72 trucks on this site have 40 year old belts.

05-29-2011, 10:00 AM	#10
71sierragrande Petroleum User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 928	Re: Seat Belts....Make The Old Look New Again Looks good. I tried to dye a set of seat covers black a few years ago and they came out kinda light purple, must've needed to be more concentrated. Hey, I'll take prettied up belts any day. Did everyone that has a 40 year old truck change to new belts? Highly doubtful. Way to keep OEM stuff in your truck. __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande 2WD 1/2 ton, 350/400 auto 2008 Chevy Silverado 2WD 1/2 ton LT1 5.3L auto

05-29-2011, 11:16 AM	#11
Tuff Gong Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 3,178	Re: Seat Belts....Make The Old Look New Again Man, those look great! Really nicely done. By the way, keeping GM is the only way to go. I'm glad you went the route you did. Brian

05-29-2011, 11:46 AM	#12
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 19,996	Re: Seat Belts....Make The Old Look New Again looks fantastic! i have used rit dye on the belts in both of my trucks, and painted the buckles in the same manner. i did a writeup on it a long time ago, but cant find the old thread. great job! Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 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

05-29-2011, 11:54 AM	#13
68Mike Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Salinas,Ca 93906 Posts: 502	Re: Seat Belts....Make The Old Look New Again Looks really good! I have a couple of sets that I want redone the same way so I'll send them to you since your a pro now Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Mike Currents: '74 Cheyenne Super C30 Camper Special 3+3 aka "Sucia30" Past: '79 C10 BIG 10 (Sold) 69 CST LWB - Always a "Work in progress" true work truck (stolen) 05 GSXR 750 it has a pretty paint job _wrecked 72 SWB full frame restoration -sold! 71 CST K5 Blazer 4x4 (soon to be 2wd)-project - sold! C10 Club 2012 Brothers Show Video http://youtu.be/pUeV2vP7Wpo

05-29-2011, 03:02 PM	#16
fast50ranger Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Marbury, Alabama Posts: 195	Re: Seat Belts....Make The Old Look New Again Nice job __________________ Big Block Powered

05-29-2011, 03:40 PM	#20
BlackTopMotors Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Valencia, CA Posts: 364	Re: Seat Belts....Make The Old Look New Again Man those came out nice, thanks for sharing!

05-29-2011, 06:46 PM	#22
Beelzeburb Devil's in the Details Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southern Utah Posts: 353	Re: Seat Belts....Make The Old Look New Again Looks great. That's exactly how I did mine 10 years ago, with RIT dye and spray paint. The belts came out black (except for the labels which stayed white) and I sprayed the plastic covers gray. They are still holding up to this day. __________________ '70 K10 Suburban - TBI 454, 4L80E, NP241C, Dana 60 & 44 - The 10+ Year Project Thread Datsun 240Z, 510 2 door and an old Honda motorcycle

05-29-2011, 07:24 PM	#24
72 tigger Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Berne IN Posts: 3,226	Re: Seat Belts....Make The Old Look New Again Nice job! I think it's always cool to take something that looks rough & make it look new. As far as cdowns (Mister Sunshine) comments go, just keep in mind there's always someone who wants to be negative & put others efforts down- unfortunately. Keep up the good work! Kirk



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