70 LS1

Just picked up a set of Camaro belts for the 70. Can I safely dye them without weakening the material? What dye can I use? I picked up grey belts, so if I can't dye them, its not the end of the world.

This is for my winter project of re-doing the interior. This time I am going to do things a little different. I am actually going to wait until I have all the parts before I start to take anything apart. Don't worry, I will post plenty of pics.

70 LS1

ttt

Robert N

Not sure, but I found a set in black on Ebay for less than $50. You could always hunt the right color and sell yours.

70 LS1

They are only available in various shades of grey and tan. The "black" set on ebay were actually grey.

MN-Brent

I used Plastikote or Duplicolor fabric spray paint on my resto from tan to black. This fabric paint penetrates the seat belt fabric almost like a solvent, not like a thick paint.

It took a few good coats from each side to get it to turn color which then stiffened up the seat belt material. Try it on a junk yard belt of similar color first to see if you can live with it.

All in all it wasn't a complete failure and I dont mind the stiffer belts, but the wifey wants them softer.

BSeery was talking once about using the RIT type dye for his. Dont know if he ever got around to it.

Brent...

Chuck Gongloff

I've dyed a TON of seatbelts over the past 10 years. Here's the way to do it. First, you completely disassemble them. Remove all the buckles/tongues, and even the labels. You'll have to remove stitching to get this stuff off.

Then go to the grocery store and buy either RIT or Tintex dye REMOVER as well as the corresponding dye. Follow the dye stripper directions (boiling pot of water, strip the old dye out of the belts). When you're done stripping the old dye, the belts will be an "egg shell" color (off white). You can then re-dye them whatever color you want.

Reassemble them. Find an industrial sewing machine, or go to a trim shop and have them resewn (buckles/tongues, etc).

Spraying external dye on them will stiffen the belts, plus you don't get even coverage. Chuck

70 LS1

Why do you have to take them apart to dye them?

Chuck Gongloff

That's the way I usually do it. Why? To get the dye evenly "stripped", and then evenly applied. Otherwise, it's tough to get coverage in the areas of the belts that wrap around the floor mounts, and the "buckle" mounts. Also, same deal with the "jellyrolls". I usually take the labels off too, because if they're "original" Corvette belts, I re-use them.

Don't know what would happen soaking late model plastic/metal buckles in dye stripper either. The belts I've done are for NCRS resto cars, both for myself, and for friends.

Another point....it is technically illegal to resew seat belts. Why? Original belts have been subjected to various FIA/ICC stress and strength tests. So, you need to find a "bud" in the upholstery biz.

I've seen guys use spray dye on seat belts. The belts usually look like it. :) Chuck

Larry B.

You say spraying stiffens the belts? My shoulder belts are very limp (well used) and tend to fold over themselves going into the retractor.. Do you think this would help? I tried siezing.. It helped a little.

Chuck Gongloff

Can't answer that one. I've seen some belts that get a "crunchy" consistency after they've been sprayed. Maybe they've used "spray vinyl" instead of "spray dye". Chuck