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I have read some of the past threads on cleaning seat belts and they were very helpful. My rear belts were under the seat between a mastic pad and the floor and were a mess when I got the car 3 and a half years ago. I soaked them in simple green, scrubbed, and rinsed several times. It made a big improvement, but did not get them completely clean. Per some of the other threads I ran the three non-buckle belts through the dishwasher, using simple green and dish soap. It took 3 times but they turned out very nice.
I would like to run the rest of them through, but am worried about the buckle mechanism. Has anyone run the buckle through the wash and was it OK? Also, how do you get the buckle covers off to clean the mechanism, or replace the cover?
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Rob (Lady72nRob71) did his seat belts a number of years back. I believe he soaked his in a solution of Tide laundry detergent. From his description he soaked the whole thing including the buckle.
Someone asked the same question about buckle dis assembly before, but I don't remember who. Apparently they can be taken apart. The replacement covers are available from Ames Performance parts (Pontiac mostly). Someone who will be able to give you fantastic advice about the belts is Ben. (RAMBOW on this site). He does seat upholstery and has likely run into this issue many times over. Here's a link to his business: Classic Seat Restorations
Allan, Thanks very much!
Yes I asked about cleaning the belts a while ago. This question was primarily for how to handle the buckles, as I am making a much bigger effort to get mine clean after pricing repros. Also, my fronts are in nice shape except for the buckle covers. So I thought I could kill "two birds" with one question. Thanks!
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
I don't know what kind of buckles you have, Deluxe small or large? Here's a pic of the replacement parts you can get from AMES. (sorry, .pdf s always seem to come out a bit blurry.
Bumping this old thread because this is one of the final things I've yet to do on the car and have a question: The rear belts on the car have apparently been under the seat since 1969. Really no clue on the time, but they look that way. Has anyone used Tuff Stuff on the belts? I prefer it to Simple Green because it has that scrubber on the end.
Tape the ends/buckets with duct tape and run them through the washing machine with a few towels. Spray them with some kind of cleaner,409,mean green etc.before hand. Run the machine on deep clean,double wash,sanitize etc. I've done several sets with good results. The retractor/covers/buckets will not come off with unless you remove the webing.
Last edited by 66-3X2 442; August 31st, 2016 at 01:17 PM.
If they don't clean to suit you (and are black as they appear in Picture) 1 Spray can of SEM trim black under $15, will make them look new agaln! You could spray them in the car by taping the buckles and covering the seats with thin plastic (like dry cleaned clothes are hung in)! Larry
Working on it. I don't want them to look too perfect, but to match the rest of the car. Kind of the same reason why I'm not changing that washer fluid reservoir out. Although that is a good tip to make old look new, Rocketowner.
Looking at my pic, I need to get a soft brush to get the cleaner down in the seams of the seat too. Hard to see everything in that black interior when it's in the garage.
The buckles like the ones in the pic come apart easily. You need 1 or 2 small screwdrivers (like the free ones from Snap-On). You pry the cover off at the bottom of the corners at the rear. You pry until it just snaps over the small notch, then do the other side. It's easy. The retractors come apart, too....although not easily.
The wife's clothes were still getting a little dirty riding in the car. I finally caved and bought a replacement set. I saved the old ones to try to finish them at a later date.
June 1st, 2014, 11:38 AM
