Ritz Die on seat belts?

[1LowToy]

Anyone ever tried it? I found some nice black ones but someone already snagged the driver's side. I have a pretty nice blue one and I'm going to give it a shot.

No real scores at Pick and Pull today, but there is a shortbed fleetside with a sport bumber. (Stockton CA PNP) I'd like to score it but I think I can fix my own for the trouble.

[CentipedePerformance]

I have used Rit dye on a few things with varying success. Did a dirt-bike tank and it turned out great, tried a shifter boot for an old Nissan I had and it turned purple instead of black. If you ruin the blue one will you be heartbroken? If not, go for it.

[Mike Bradbury]

Most nylon fiber (carpet, rope, seat belts, etc...)is dyed from the factory under high heat so the dye gets into the expanded pores of the fiber. I do not think it will come out too well. I tried dying a nylon ski jacket once and it did not take much at all. Cotton, it will soak right in, Nylon is a different story.

[CentipedePerformance]

you are supposed to have the dye at near boiling to get the best results anyway. With a plastic gas tank that's obviously not possible, but with a seatbelt, I don't see why not. Just grease up the ratchet mechanism when your done, if you don't take the fabric off the spool.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

so would you boil a put of the dye and brush it on or dip it in the boil?

[Mike Bradbury]

The pores of the nylon need to be thermally expanded, so it needs to be boiling in the solution. I would do a test run on an old seat belt first to check for color, and for transfer to clothes. Last thing you want is to transfer black dye onto someones white pants.

[rayfinseats]

Why not just spray paint the belt ???

[1LowToy]

I checked the Rit dye website for information. Nylon needs to be in pretty warm water from what I can see and do. They have a microwave dye process but I think the wife may freek I didn't even look (Wife still loves me I don't know why)

I'm going to do a couple of things to get started. I think I have an old set in the stash of C-10 crap and see what it takes tp remove the belt for the dye process. Off to the Salvation Army or another thrift store for some soup pots. The wife will notice if hers turn all black If the belts come appart with reason I may contact an upholstry shop and see what they can do to set new belts into place.

[primrrd]

I did mine w/ decent success on my 81. Tan to black.
I pulled the belt all the way out out and clamped it with 2 vice grips and used them to suspend the reel over the pot while dunking the rest into boiling dye in a big soup pot on the stove 8 years or more ago and they still look good.
(i vinyl sprayed the reel housing)
I will say that the dirtiest spot of the old belts were more dark grey, but the results were passable the buckle housings even dyed ok- they are wearing now after a long time.

[leddzepp]

Ive done it many times. Black works great. If you are trying to match another color, dont hold your breath. Remove the buckles and just follow the stovetop directions. There are a lot of threads here on the board covering the topic.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

now what about carpet? i could imagine renting a steam vac and puting it in the tank or boiling the dye and brushing it on

[N2TRUX]

It can be done successfully as demonstrated by forum member myoldchevytruck. Take a look at this FAQ on the topic- LINK


To read further discussion on this topic go here- LINK


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

[Pop's C-10]

wow..those look good

[INSIDIOUS '86]

wonder how he kept the tags white?

[ozark]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

wonder how he kept the tags white?

I was thinking the same thing. I've been following this thread, I may have to dye some seatbelts too if I can't find the ones I need.

[ozark]

I think I found a new use for the turkey frier. My wife won't yell at me for making a mess in the kitchen I'll do them in the shop.

[Pop's C-10]

Originally Posted by ozark

I think I found a new use for the turkey frier. My wife won't yell at me for making a mess in the kitchen I'll do them in the shop.

I was thinking tha same thing..

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

wonder how he kept the tags white?

The tags stay white....they do not absorb the dye.