65 SEAT BELT RESTORATION

[Keith Seiwell]

Gents, I have now turned to the interior phase of my resto project. My seat belts are beat. I took the paint off the buckles and they look easy enough to do with the standard interior paint(I guess). My belts however, are in rough shape. The fabric and the tags and sticthing are still servicable, but the color (tan) has faded dramatically and there are rust spots all over the belts as well. I was thinking about dyeing the belts close to "tan" as i could. I was also kicking around the idea of painting them with the aerosol vinyl dye as a last resort. Any ideas out there? I am asking because I don't think I really have the right answer. Thanks, as always, in advance.KAS

[Wayne Kever]

Re: 65 SEAT BELT RESTORATION

Don't do it. You need to get new webbing. New seat belts come with specific instructions to not dye the material because it can weaken it. Your webbing may be weakened from age/fading already.

Plus, re-webbing is very cheap, like $30 or $40 per side. I used Ssnake-Oyl Products out of Texas. They will re-sew your labels, or they can also give you new correct labels. They have correct-pattern webbing. There are also other vendors that do this work. Even if this is a non-driven, show-only car, I think correct replacement will judge better than re-dyed original.

- Wayne

[Chuck G.]

Re: 65 SEAT BELT RESTORATION

I agree with Wayne 100%, however, if you want to try it, I've done it many times. First, you must carefully disassemble your belts. Make notes of the stitching pattern (Dr. Rebuild sells stitching instructions). Carefully remove the stitching with a straight razor blade. Remove the tags too, and make notes of their location. Now you should have 4 pieces of webbing. Go to the grocery store and buy RIT or TINTEX rust remover. The rust remover is Oxalic Acid or Oxalate crystals. You should also buy the dye remover/dye stripper. If you don't remove the old dye, when you re-do them, they will not have a uniform appearance. After you have stripped the dye, your belts will be a very light beige/off white color. Also buy the corresponding RIT or TINTEX dye. Follow the directions. It's tough to get rust stains out. Once you've done the rust removal and old dye stripping, follow the dye directions and re-dye the webbing. Take your belts to an automotive trim shop, where they have a heavy duty sewing machine and have them redone with the correct stitch pattern. I might add that it is illegal to do this. Seat belts are subject to stress testing, etc., so go to a shop where you are known. Many shops will not do this for you. Realize that you are doing this for show only. I've had good luck with dark colored belts. Tan would be sort of tough. Chuck Gongloff

[Bill W.]

Re: 65 SEAT BELT RESTORATION

Hi Kieth,

Some things on your '65 are better replaced than restored. Seat belts are one of these. Even if you plan to "show only", what about the next owner? He won't know that the belts could be weak. I have used SUNWEST AUTO SPECIALTIES here in Albuquerque with good luck. He advertizes in the DRIVELINE, call Karl Ropke@ (505) 292-7609.