Re: My 86 build
 

Well I still haven’t done much with Big Red, but I did get some seatbelts restored for someone. Before and After pics on a set of Black Seatbelts. Not much fading in the webbing, but I was able to get the faded section out.

Re: My 86 build
 

Well I felt well enough to spend some time with Big Red today. I swapped out the Dash Pad trim with an OEM looking trim. 5-6 years ago I put a Billet trim on there. My new Door Panels from USA1 Industries, also have the OEM looking trim, so I want it all to match. So here’s what I got done today.
1st pic is the Billet
2nd pic is the new dash trim
Last pic is my new door panels.

Re: My 86 build
 

I do prefer the OE style over the billet. Glad you're feeling up to working on it!

Re: My 86 build
 

Thanks Rick! I still had to take it slow, with some breaks. I wasn’t thrilled about taking the dash pad out. But since I’ve done it once already, it went quite smooth. I needed to get that done, so I can finish putting the dash parts on.

Re: My 86 build
 

I got one door all sealed back up.

Re: My 86 build
 

Got another set of seatbelts done. These are Burgundy. They were in pretty bad shape, wasn’t sure how they would turn out, better than expected.

Re: My 86 build
 

Few more before & after pics.

Re: My 86 build
 

very nice work!!! makes mine look promising to rebuild!!!
..... HHHHHHMMMMMMM????

Re: My 86 build
 

What do yours look like? You can send them to me, and I'll just charge labor & dye and send them back.

Re: My 86 build
 

Late to the show but love your build thread and glad you are doing better, :metal:.

Re: My 86 build
 

I’m getting there, Thank you!!

Re: My 86 build
 

well... they look very like posts 331 & 332. the belts don't have sun damage though.... this is a tempting offer.... I will PM you after some thought...

thanks!!!;)

Re: My 86 build
 

Nice work on the interior! Glad you are feeling better. :metal:

Re: My 86 build
 

Worked all week on another set of Seatbelts, finally got them done today. These are the 79-80 CarmineRed. I’m doing these for a guy that I built a restored seat for. These CarmineRed belts are hard to find. These were in pretty bad shade, webbing faded and the belts would not retract.
So, started off with removing the plastic sleeves off the center belts. They were busted up, and the customer didn’t mind if they were totally removed.
Next, I sandblasted the mounting base, for the retractors. I also hit the retractor wheel mechanism, up inside the retractor casing. These were gunked up with all kinds of dust and god knows what. The wheels were rusty too, which is why they weren’t retracting.
A good soaking in hot soapy water using Dawn and mild scrubbing. Hang to dry. I also blow the mechanism dry with my compressor. I spray a little lube and whalla, the belts are once again retracting!
Prep, mask and dye.
These are all the BEFORE pics of the belts and the seat I built.

Re: My 86 build
 

Now for the AFTER pics of the seatbelts.

Re: My 86 build
 

TK those look great, I didn't think about dying the belts. I'm still looking for a charcoal set but now that everything is on lock down it may be a while before we can go on the hunt.

Rick

Re: My 86 build
 

What is your process on restoring the seat belts? Are you able to pull the plastics off the belts or do you just have to extract the belts all the way out of the plastic?

thanks

Re: My 86 build
 

The only time I remove the plastic, is on the center belts. And that's only if it is all broken. Post #339 & #340, you can see the center belt plastic is broken, so I just removed all of it.
The retractors, I just pull the belts up, and they will have to be clamped off, so they don't retract back in. At that point, I soak the webbing in Hot Dawn Soapy water. Only mild scrubbing if needed. Hang to dry and then dye the plastic parts.

Re: My 86 build
 

thanks, I am going to give It a shot on my nova and c10

Re: My 86 build
 

Please tell us more about this Hot Dawn. Just kiddin. Thanks for all of the detailed info.

Re: My 86 build
 

Yeah that didn’t quite come out right, did it? Lol! I use Dawn dish soap, in very hot water. So hot, I have to let them soak before I can put my hands in that water:devil:
At the moment I’m cleaning another set of Black & CarmineRed.

Re: My 86 build
 

Not much to report on Big Red. Still waiting to get help to hang my door, so I can finish the door adjustment, install the rest of the dash parts. Build and install the seat, and install the door panels.
So in the meantime, I’m getting more seatbelts done. These are the BEFORE pics, and after a thorough cleaning.

Re: My 86 build
 

AFTER pics. Dyed the plastic & webbing. Got the retractors moving freely again.

Re: My 86 build
 

Question, why did you seal directly to the door, vs putting it on the door panel and using foam to seal the panel to the door?

Very nice work on everything, I really enjoy seeing your work and attention to detail you do.

Re: My 86 build
 

I used a square of FatMat on the interior of the door. That helps with the noise. The thin layer of foil/foam on the outer portion, was just to replace the plastic seal it originally had from the factory. I got the idea from N2TRUX, on one of his builds.
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...&postcount=484