Seat Belt Restoration

[My S1]

I would like to post my endorsement of Sharon's Web for their outstanding restoration of my seat belts.  They have the identical fabric and they even had a couple of original Kangol plastic parts that needed replacing.  I did the chrome and cad myself prior to sending them the belts but they also offer those services.  They could have replicated the labels but I opted not to do it.  Mine were from a 1970 Europa but they could have faked the date.

https://sharonswebseatbeltrestoration.com/services

[RoddyMac]

I Say Ding Dong has the decals if you need them:  https://www.isaydingdong.co.uk/ourshop/prod_6507615-Lotus-Kangol-Style-Seat-Belts-Lift-Shaped-Stickers-1-Pair.html

[EuropaTC]

Oh that's a good find Roddy. Time to replace the ones I tried to print myself with a laser & baking foil......   

[jbcollier]

Nice work indeed.

[dakazman]

  Thanks S1 and Roddy .
  I just opened my interior box and dug out some needed items to complete my build.
  Looks like it may take longer now .
     Regardless both links should be added to the vendor page. Its good for our passion.

Dakazman

[EuropaTC]

Drifting slightly from the topic, I ordered some of those seat belt decals from the link Roddy posted to "I Say Ding Dong".

They were posted out the next day and came this morning, the quality is excellent. I went for the "chrome" versions rather than the flat silver which was slightly more expensive but they really are superb. 10/10 from me.

Brian

[Nockenwelle]

@My S1: that looks excellent!
I was lucky enough to source a NOS set of Kangol belts on Ebay-UK. Quite expensive but I'm very happy I've found them.

[dakazman]

   I thought I’d give it a little cleaning. Removing all the rust and refinishing to a polished finish. Now to nickel plate and dye the belts to black.  I used some leather dye that seems to do the job .   If all else fails I’ll send it out .
 Dakazman

[My S1]

EuropaTC,  You are absolutely right about the difference in decals.  I bought the lightly brushed aluminum finish which turned out to be a mistake.  My '70 belts were actually a chrome finish.  Anyone know when the switch occurred?

Nockenwelle,  congratulations on your score!  You even got the firewall mounts.  Lucky guy.

[Clifton]

   I thought I’d give it a little cleaning. Removing all the rust and refinishing to a polished finish. Now to nickel plate and dye the belts to black.  I used some leather dye that seems to do the job .   If all else fails I’ll send it out .
 Dakazman

I died mine over the summer. If the leather dye doesn't work out, I used an acid dye for nylon. The link to the company is in my thread. They have a lot of info in there about dying. Pretty easy on the stove. https://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=6047.msg65355#msg65355

[gideon]

D'man, those belts appear to be damaged as well as old.  If they were mine I'd definitely want to replace the webbing, rather than trying to dye them. 

[LotusJoe]

https://www.safetyrestore.com/

I have used these guys on several occasions. Very happy with the results and quality.

[dakazman]

  Thanks Joe ,I was impressed by their site turn time and price quotes. The other site did not offer that until you sent them yours.  I’ll give them a call tomorrow. I was late in reading this post and already dyed the color in after soaking in vinegar to loosen them up. Dye seems to have taken but I now see the defects. Finally getting movement in the raise here section 😂
  I’ll report back soon on the status.
  Dakazman

[Nockenwelle]

@My S1: Unfortunately the bolts that came with the new belts were too long. The belts might have been designated for a Lotus Elan or Elan +2. I will re-use the existing bolts as they are still fine.