C-2 Seat belt restoration

[Chris L.]

Looking for suggestions for restoring my original belts. The webbing is getting worn, but the buckles are in great shape. As far as judging goes, will it be a deduct for "restored" belts as opposed to "original" but worn? Thanks

[Jack H.]

Re: C-2 Seat belt restoration

If the belt fabric is 'correct' in terms of thickness, weave and color, the ID labels are good reproduction copies and affixed as the factory originals were and the stitching is done with the factory original pattern, you should expect full credit for a restoration WELL done!

The tricks are serveral fold:

(1) Documenting the original stitch pattern BEFORE you tear off the old fabric.

(2) Documenting the original fabric length and direction(s) of material fold.

(3) Documenting the correct placement and orientation of the ID labels and using 2-color stitching (one in the needle and one in the bobbin) when you mount the labels.

(4) Finding where in (*&& to acquire the correct original THICK fabric in proper weave pattern and color.

The last bears further discussion. As seat belt technology progressed, standards changed over time relating to the tensile strength the IC-5000 belts were 5000 pound rated, IC-8000 belts were 8000 pound rated, Etc. In lock-step to standards changing with higher strength ratings, the material manufacturers were improving their fabric process (weave, polymerization, Etc.).

This allowed them to keep up without having to continually add more material and raise costs accordingly. Today's fabric is appreciably thinner in cross section with much higher tensile strength ratings than what was originally used in the era of your car. The judges know this and savvy interior judges have 'calibrated fingers' that easily tell the difference between 'reproduction' belt fabric and the factory original weaves from a given era.

The Dr. Rebuild catalog lists ORIGINAL bulk belt fabric from various eras in some colors. When it's gone, it's gone.... Those who do seat belt restoration for a living typically have original fabric (in some colors/weaves) 'squirreled' away, but they typically reserve it for turn-key belt restoration jobs.

The last alternative is to walk the scrap yards and find donor belts out of GM pass cars and get your correct/original belt fabric that way. With the correct approach, you CAN clean up discolored original fabric and even change its color to match your job....

[Gerard F.]

C2: Two Color Stitching on SB Labels??

What's with the two color stitching. I have my original 67 black belts (7E67)which I'm working on, and the stitching for the ID label is black on both sides. Thinking I was going color blind, I cleaned the threads on the back of the label, and it's definitely black both sides. I can post a picture of the belts and stitching on these belts which were on the car when I bought it in 68.
I checked each one, and once you cleanoff the dust, the stitching is black both sides.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Gerard F.]

Re: C-2 Seat belt restoration

Jack,

Also, is there a product out to restore the shine and slip to old belts?
I've completely redone the buckle, and have brought the belt retainer back to a smooth metal finish (formerly rusted). The belt is easy to tighten, but a pain to loosen.

Jerry Fuccillo