Technical How to - dye seat belts - or atleast how I did

My 1963 Ford Country Sedan had really faded seat belts in the front seat - and no seatbelts in back.

I was looking at buying new - but didn't really like anything I found - and the interior color of my car looks awesome otherwise - and I wanted a good match.

So I started researching how to dye seatbelts. The primary method I found was with lacquer thinner and spray paint.

Thankfully I had an old seatbelt lying around from a car I no longer have - so I gave that a try. Didn't like it. They end up really crusty and stiff.

Then I happened upon a video of a dude dying his pants with acid dye - and thought I'd give that a try.

I still had 1/2 of the old seatbelt lying around and ordered up some dyes.

This method works much better. Here's what I did.

 

I like what you did but don't know if I'd put my life on the line and those with me or others without DoT approval and no guarantee that they won't fail when I need them most!

 

looks better, good job.
as i watched that i imagined hearing my wife yelling "don't do that in here. clear out the sink first.get that off the countertops. etc"

 

Interesting... but don't wear white pants for awhile until you're sure the dye won't rub off!! Thanx for the science cl***, too! Gary

 

Seat belt material deteriorates with age and has lost most of its strength and resiliency after 10 years. If you want them to save you in an emergency best replace them. There are places that will sew new belting onto your buckles and hardware.

 

good thread for the just the knowledge of dying material. some guys take things out of stuff the wrong way.
apply this to new belts and and an interior color change good. hey i learned the dye doesn't stain granite [still wouldn't do it in the kitchen or in dress shoes for that matter].

 

I haven't found anything really useful online on how to do this - so I thought I'd put something together. People can use the info at their own discretion. But as I said in the video - my 50-something year old car will never be anywhere close to as safe as my new car. Is what it is.

 

It's really not bad - you just rinse it when you done and let it dry. Doesn't really rub off after that.