Saving Seatbelts

For many collectible vehicles, the restoration aftermarket offers almost every imaginable soft part to make interiors look factory-new. Carpet kits, OE-fabric upholstery and various interior panels abound. But after a complete interior resto, one particular loose end can be a glaring eyesore: dirty seatbelts.

DIY Or Buy? After a complete interior resto, one particular loose end can be a glaring eyesore: dirty seatbelts.
We investigated seatbelt restoration options after reupholstering a '66 Mustang to its original Parchment skin. Unfortunately, the once-beige seatbelts were largely black after 35 years of convertible living. Replacement belts are available from parts stores, but they're usually black and often lack the OE webbing pattern or buckle.


To remain original, we researched ways to freshen the factory belts. One option is to go to the junkyard and scour their offerings. Another alternative is a resto specialist such as Ssnake-Oyl, which can re-stitch, re-web, re-boot, re-hardware, and even re-label belts with the factory codes. This professional attention to detail, however, isn't cheap—so we decided to attempt an at-home seatbelt revival.

Soak & Rinse
First, unbolt the belts from the vehicle. Consider using a tap and die on the fastening system if the bolts show signs of rust and corrosion. Next, check the buckles to see if their cross-pins are easy to remove. If not, you'll have to maneuver the buckles up and down the belts during cleaning.


Once the belts are liberated, prepare a steaming bath of soapy water. We cranked up the water heater to its max temp, then filled a bucket with dishwashing detergent. Let the belts soak in this bath, being careful not to burn yourself in the process.