Early Seat Belt Resto Options

[db9146]

I want to restore a spare set of early (1970) seat belts to improve their appearance and also to make them easier to adjust since they are not retractable. It seems that there are different finishes on the belt mounting ends and the belt latches that are a more natural metal appearance as opposed to the chrome on the adjusters and the belt latching tabs.



I have taken one latch apart and cleaned it up via bead-blasting, a vibratory cleaner/polisher, and some elbow grease with metal polish and a brass bristle brush (you can see how it started off). The finish of the latches (once the covers are removed) and the anchoring ends appears to be some sort of a flat metal finish. Does anyone know what finish it is? Or how to achieve it?



I think the chrome will clean up well enough once the belts are removed and the chrome can be cleaned/polished a little.

Has anyone sent out an early set of belts to a restorer and been happy with the results? Who did you use? What was the cost? Any pics?

What about the dated fabric tags stitched to the belts? Anyone have a source on these?

Comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

[burton73]

This is a 2-step deal. I cannot find anyone that puts new webbing on the belts that re-places the Repa label. I found a guy in the UK that makes labels but only shows 911 numbers for 1969 and that date is the right one for my 6. $20 from the UK Delivered. So, I just paid him and we will see.
The people that I was told make labels to would not answer my email. You want new webbing and to have the metal parts refinished and plated.
Part are shiny finish/polished chrome and part is satin look from the plating on not polished
metal. The red rubber plastic looks bad on yours and it is better if you can get a match on those.

When I first got my 6 it had racing seat belts and Bruce Stone got me a set of early seat belts but the red rubber plastic parts are a different look from each other. I got a different set from a 70 914 that have the red rubber matching. I see that George at AA is selling some recevers from early belts with matching red. It cost. Not full sets just parts.

Bob B

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

we have so many new old stock receiver heads that it is not worth trying to restore ones. We have also used snakeoyl products to restore the webbing buckles and end loops

[mepstein]

I would hit the red plastic with some brake clean. I used some on the red plastic knob on the air controls and it made it look almost like new.


Snakeoyl has some terrible reviews.

[Targa70]

So my seat belt resto was not perfect and I would have done a couple of things differently, but I felt like snakeoyl did a great job on the labels and stitching on the new webbing (I supplied it). The dyed or replaced some of the plastic pieces and I would say they are worth a phone call. Mine are on page 3 or 4 of the build:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=335629&hl=

[rgalla9146]

Is there a source for the sewn on white cloth labels ? The ones that have the
part number and the date ?

[burton73]

Is there a source for the sewn on white cloth labels ? The ones that have the
part number and the date ?

I could not find a place that sells 914 numbers but 911 numbers on eBay UK.

I am sure that the parts are run through an ink jet printer on the fabric and then cut.
I ordered the 1969 one because that is what was on my car.

Yes 911 is not 100% correct but what the hell.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Porsche-911-Classi...-1973/621438728




Bob B

[bbrock]

Is there a source for the sewn on white cloth labels ? The ones that have the
part number and the date ?

I could not find a place that sells 914 numbers but 911 numbers on eBay UK.

I am sure that the parts are run through an ink jet printer on the fabric and then cut.
I ordered the 1969 one because that is what was on my car.

Yes 911 is not 100% correct but what the hell.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Porsche-911-Classi...-1973/621438728




Bob B

Thanks Bob. I just sent a message to the seller to see if they can do 914 part numbers. FYI, ebay won't let you send a Porsche part number with dot separators. Their stupid system thinks it is a phone number and they threaten to restrict your account if you keep trying to send phone numbers.

I also came across this on the 911 registry. http://www.early911sregistry.org/forums/sh...label-1968-1973 Not sure if he still does them. Might be the same guy as on ebay. See also this post by @Larmo63 recommending the same guy: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&...t&p=2666576

[burton73]

Hi Brent Buddie,

I sent the guy in the UK an email through EBay asking for a 914 number and he never replied.
I just bought a set anyway. $25.

The guy on the 911 registry is the same person.

Regards,

Bob B

[bbrock]

Hi Brent Buddie,

I sent the guy in the UK an email through EBay asking for a 914 number and he never replied.
I just bought a set anyway. $25.

The guy on the 911 registry is the same person.

Regards,

Bob B

Well, I got a reply but no es bueno. He says he doesn't do 914 labels because the market is too small. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[burton73]

Hi Brent Buddie,

I sent the guy in the UK an email through EBay asking for a 914 number and he never replied.
I just bought a set anyway. $25.

The guy on the 911 registry is the same person.

Regards,

Bob B

Well, I got a reply but no es bueno. He says he doesn't do 914 labels because the market is too small. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Well if you can get the right fabric and mount it on paper stock then it can go through my printer and cut them but it will need a topcoat to waterproof the ink. Or silk print it with a vinyl ink.

The layout is easy on a computer with the right program like Quark of Illustrator that I have.

The skilled guys at 914rubber have the skills and connections to get this done.


Bob B

[bbrock]

Hi Brent Buddie,

I sent the guy in the UK an email through EBay asking for a 914 number and he never replied.
I just bought a set anyway. $25.

The guy on the 911 registry is the same person.

Regards,

Bob B

Well, I got a reply but no es bueno. He says he doesn't do 914 labels because the market is too small. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Well if you can get the right fabric and mount it on paper stock then it can go through my printer and cut them but it will need a topcoat to waterproof the ink. Or silk print it with a vinyl ink.

The layout is easy on a computer with the right program like Quark of Illustrator that I have.

The skilled guys at 914rubber have the skills and connections to get this done.


Bob B

@Mikey914 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[UROpartsman]

Folks have probably seen these receptacle covers but not realized they're URO. 901 803 017 KIT is the part number for the left side, 901 803 018 KIT is the right. Fits '70-'72 914 and '69-'73 911 without retractable belts.

[Mikey914]

Tanks guys,
We can do these, just a few details we need to figure out to do them correctly. If someone could send me a vector file I would be way ahead. Also, sourcing the correct material to print onto. PM me I have the capability to print onto cloth in UV stable ink. but it's typically done in bulk so I'll be running 1000 or so to make it worth while. PM me the file when you can.

As far as plastic there's plenty of correct OEM parts out there. When there's not we will make them (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[burton73]

Just thought I would post this. seatbelts from early 1970 car. Note that one is 1969 and one is 1970. These where the original belts from a car 6 month 1970


Bob B

[Biggles]

Is there a source for the sewn on white cloth labels ? The ones that have the
part number and the date ?

Yes I got a load made. Very slightly wider than OEM but otherwise the same.

Can post some if required. Say £10 a pair + postage.