Seat Belt Cleaning?

Beemerboy

Just One More Coat
Have a car soming up that I have been asked to clean the seat belts. Just want to see what others are doing to clean them?

My local detail suppler has a belt cleaner that I have not used before. I do know you have to be careful with them, as to not strech them out.

Thanks for the help
 
Hey Beemerboy;
Not long ago there was a discussion either on here or Autopia on interior cleaning prod. Someone
mentioned Pro Seat Belt Cleaner. I don't know if I can mention the site. If you want PM me.
 
I asked this question a while back and the answer I got was to try a steamer I never did it though so I cant tell you it'll work but it's worth a try.
 
I'm interested too :)

In the years I've been doing this, seat-belts always seem to be one of the two areas that never really seem to come 100% clean. Many times when you try, they get worse. I think it has to do with either the tight weave or the material they are made of. Usually I explain to the customer that seat belts and foam-cloth type headliners are areas that if cleaning is attempted -- damage may occur, and/or they will not come clean. Here are some things that have worked for me in order of strength:
  • Auto Magic's RTU Window Cleaner (the green type)
  • Auto Magic's Red Hot APC mixed 1:4 with water
  • Alcohol (70% Isopropyl)
  • Naphtha (commonly sold as Zippo Lighter fluid)
  • PreCleano or PrepSolv
  • Mineral Spirits
  • Thinner or Reducer

Pull them all the way out and attach a clothes pin so they will not retract, wipe with one towel wetted with the selected cleaner (start with the weakest), then with a clean dry towel. repeat until when wiped with a clean towel, it remains clean. Wait until they are fully dry before trying the next one. The last three might leave a lingering smell, and/or discolor and/or chemically attack the fibers. In the studio, for those close up hero ad shots you see in new car brochures, the reducer did the trick; however these were picture vehicles that would never be subjected to real life conditions.

AS WITH ANY MATERIAL, TEST IN AN INCONSPICUOUS AREA FIRST AND WAIT UNTIL IT FULLY DRIES TO EVALUATE ! ! !
 
CharlesW said:
You might want to try this link.

http://www.prowax.com/cleaners.shtml

Third item, C-28.

Charles
If you are outside of California, and the above doesn't work, you might try either Pro's POWER-SOL (C-16) or PRO-SOL_(C-61-Q). I know the latter will.

#$%^&* California Air Resources Board !!:beat :angry :moon:

as I said before, TEST FIRST !!
 
While I have never tried it, Meguiar's APC+ might be a good choice. That or my Woolite 6:1 mixture.
There seems to be quite a bit of resistance to cleaning seatbelts because of damaging the material. Most manufacturers seem to recommend cleaning with mild soap and water.
Probably could become a liability issue. :dunno

Charles
 
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