65 Seatbelt paddle

[Jim V.]

I am restoring my 65 buckles and as always could some sage advice/help.

I will be refinishing the paddles (bottom view pictured below) and I am considering using aluminum cleaner and alumi-prep prior to SEM Trim black. Are the paddles aluminum or some other alloy and would that matter? Finishing option two would be SEM self-etch and SEM trim black. Lastly on finish, is the finish a tad splattered from the factory or is that a result of the 40 year aging process?

Is there a trick to removing the wedge from the pivot pin? I was successful with one buckle but the other is giving me fits..

Thanks
JimV

[Mike G.]

Re: 65 Seatbelt paddle

Jim:

You should be able to get a pick on the inside end of the wedge (in the notch) and push it out a bit. Then I've usually just wiggled it out with small needlenose pliers. Maybe a shot of penetrating oil would help.

Is the alloy aluminum? Not sure, but a light coat of self-etch is what I would use.

That spatter texture is factory original. Irving Air Chute used a kind of rubberized paint on these buckles. If you've ever tried to bead-blast one, you know what I'm talking about.

I've never found a way to reproduce this surface texture with any success. If anyone out there has --pls share!

[Mike G.]

Re: 65 Seatbelt paddle

Jim:

You should be able to get a pick on the inside end of the wedge (in the notch) and push it out a bit. Then I've usually just wiggled it out with small needlenose pliers. Maybe a shot of penetrating oil would help.

Is the alloy aluminum? Not sure, but a light coat of self-etch is what I would use.

That spatter texture is factory original. Irving Air Chute used a kind of rubberized paint on these buckles. If you've ever tried to bead-blast one, you know what I'm talking about.

I've never found a way to reproduce this surface texture with any success. If anyone out there has --pls share!

[Jim V.]

Re: 65 Seatbelt paddle

Thanks Mike!

Getting a pick on the inside end...hmmmm...it appears that inside end of the wedge is somewhat blocked by the return spring. Do I follow you?

I was going to try some bristle brush splatter for the buckles...load the brush and then attempt to hand-catapult some fine splatter.

[Jim V.]

Re: 65 Seatbelt paddle

Thanks Mike!

Getting a pick on the inside end...hmmmm...it appears that inside end of the wedge is somewhat blocked by the return spring. Do I follow you?

I was going to try some bristle brush splatter for the buckles...load the brush and then attempt to hand-catapult some fine splatter.

[Mike G.]

Re: 65 Seatbelt paddle

Jim:

First remove the c-clip off the shaft. Next put a drift on the wedge end of the shaft and tap it in. It will move about a quarter inch or so. That will expose the inner tip of the wedge and bottom of the slot. Gives you enough room to use a sharp pick and push wedge outwards.

[Mike G.]

Re: 65 Seatbelt paddle

Jim:

First remove the c-clip off the shaft. Next put a drift on the wedge end of the shaft and tap it in. It will move about a quarter inch or so. That will expose the inner tip of the wedge and bottom of the slot. Gives you enough room to use a sharp pick and push wedge outwards.

[Eugene B.]

Re: 65 Seatbelt paddle

Jim,
There was a great article in the Fall, 1996 issue of the Restorer Magazine titled 1965-66 Seat Belt Buckle Restoration. It explains how to disassemble and reassemble the buckles.

Good luck,
Gene

[Eugene B.]

Re: 65 Seatbelt paddle

Jim,
There was a great article in the Fall, 1996 issue of the Restorer Magazine titled 1965-66 Seat Belt Buckle Restoration. It explains how to disassemble and reassemble the buckles.

Good luck,
Gene

[Jim V.]

Got it....thanks Mike...NM *NM*

[Jim V.]

Got it....thanks Mike...NM *NM*

[Jim V.]

Gene...thanks..... N/M *NM*

[Jim V.]

Gene...thanks..... N/M *NM*