73 barracuda cleaning seatbelts..question.

[Flathead31coupe]

What is the best way to clean factory seat belts?Prior to reinstall and them? Any tips are appreciated thanks.

 

[pschlosser]

pinsol.

i have done this a few times. the belts can get stiff, or even sticky from oils and dirt from the hands. soaking the belts (whole, with buckles, and frame fasteners) in a 5-gallon bucket of pinsol (kitchen degreaser) solution for a day or two does wonders. we can see by how dirty the water gets that these belts can take on lots of dirt over the years. agitate and check the bucket every few hours. if the water gets too soiled or gross looking, pour it out and refill with a fresh solution. after, rinse using the same method, fill the bucket with clean water, and soak a few minutes, agitating occasionally. repeat once or twice. once rinsed, lay out or hang to dry.

this does not resolve any belt fraying, but doesn't make it worse, and can be cleaned up using a flame from a bic lighter or propane torch to melt the nylon back and leave the belt edges clean.

if the chrome (particularly on the tips) is rusted or flaking, the soaking will hasten the chrome flaking off. when the chrome is flaking off, thin razor sharp shards can peel off, cut the fingers, or go under the fingernails. when the belts get this bad, it is time to replace or send out for restoration.

 

[Flathead31coupe]

pinsol.

i have done this a few times. the belts can get stiff, or even sticky from oils and dirt from the hands. soaking the belts (whole, with buckles, and frame fasteners) in a 5-gallon bucket of pinsol (kitchen degreaser) solution for a day or two does wonders. we can see by how dirty the water gets that these belts can take on lots of dirt over the years. agitate and check the bucket every few hours. if the water gets too soiled or gross looking, pour it out and refill with a fresh solution. after, rinse using the same method, fill the bucket with clean water, and soak a few minutes, agitating occasionally. repeat once or twice. once rinsed, lay out or hang to dry.

this does not resolve any belt fraying, but doesn't make it worse, and can be cleaned up using a flame from a bic lighter or propane torch to melt the nylon back and leave the belt edges clean.

if the chrome (particularly on the tips) is rusted or flaking, the soaking will hasten the chrome flaking off. when the chrome is flaking off, thin razor sharp shards can peel off, cut the fingers, or go under the fingernails. when the belts get this bad, it is time to replace or send out for restoration.

Awesome thank you