Washing Seat Belts
 

My original seatbelts are in pretty nice shape, but could use a cleaning. Is there a preferred method for doing this? I was thinking about just throwing them in the washer.

I filled a bucket with OXI-Clean and Scrubbed with an old fashion scrub brush and rinsed several times until the rinse water turned clear. Hung on the clothes rack to dry.

If it were me, I'd just fill the kitchen sink with warm water and dawn dish soap and hand scrub them. Should clean them up nicely.

Woolite works well, you don’t want to wash the color away.

I got good results with Simple Green and a stiff bristled brush. Rinse well and hang them up to dry.

Mine were very dirty and I needed to dye them. But, oxy clean really cleaned them up in the kitchen sink. Rinse well and hang dry. I used vinegar water to lock the dye color in. This might be an option on yours too, so you don't loose the color in the process.

I used liquid Tide in the wash tub with warm water and a nail brush.

Rinsed several times, and on last rinse added a small amount of Downy to keep belts from stiffening up.

x 2

When my wife wasn't around I used the dish washer.

oxi-clean...warm water. once dry..........apply SHIELD H2o ....the help keep them clean.

I am not saying that scrubbing with a brush is wrong. I just soaked mine in Oxy clean and the amount of dirt that came out from soaking was huge! I would be careful that a brush does not make them to be a little "fuzzy"

You can also get a roll on nOS webbing, have pristine new ones sewn. I see webbing at the swaps here in the and. Picked up a big roll of camel and the guy threw in a spool of the thread.

I just happen to have an industrial sewing machine that would easily handle the webbing.

But mine are in nice shape, just a bit dirty.

Looks like my rear belts are pretty much a total loss, hardware is fine except for one buckle. They had been shoved under the seat for decades (off my donor car) and are covered in stains from the tar stuff that is used on the floors. Tried soaking them in degreaser and then the dishwasher ... hardware got real clean, didn't touch the stains on the webbing. Even tried some strong solvents since they were a total loss anyway ... didn't touch the stains ... soaking in gasoline would probably work ... if I wanted dissolved, stinky, dangerous seat belts :)

Shoulder belts turned out great, front belts might be ok after washing.

Mine are the dreaded Ivy Gold ... I see no companies offering replacements in that color .... anyone know of a source of readily available NOS webbing? Are good condition used sets unobtainium .. or do they show up now and then?

If you search ebay, there are several webbing listings. I did this for my 55 Chevy. Cut the length needed, threaded into buckle and had upholstery shop sew the ends up. I did grey, you may have an issue getting your exact color.