Dont know if I spelled that right, but I have some grey camaro seatbelts that I would like to dye black. Anyone ever tried that... any ideas???

 

I dyed a set of brown belts (T-top straps) black. My wife picked up some black dye at the supermarket (who'da thought to look there). It was a pretty simple job really. Just follow instructions and let the belts sit in the mixture for a while. I think I let mine sit for a few days. Worked very well.

Mark

 

How to dye nylon
Nylon can be dyed with either of two completely different dye classes, acid dyes and disperse dyes. Both require the application of heat to fix the dye to the nylon, so be sure that your garment or fabric can withstand the heat called for in the recipe you choose. (This is a problem for Nylon/Lycra blends, as blends containing the heat-sensitive fiber Lycra, a thermoelastic polyurethane fiber, are best dyed only with cold water dyes .)

Some surface fabric treatments may prevent nylon from 'taking' dye. Dye only nylon that is free of treatments such as Teflon coating.

Dyeing nylon like wool
Nylon is a synthetic fiber, but its unique chemistry means that it can be dyed, easily and well, using the same acid dyes that are commonly used on wool and other animal fibers. A typical recipe calls for dissolving dye and salt in enough water to cover the material and allow it to move freely in the pot, adding the material, heat it to a simmer for ten minutes, add vinegar and simmer another ten minutes, then allow to cool gradually and rinse out. Microwaving or steaming might be used as an alternative form of heat application

All-purpose dyes
All purpose dye, such as Rit dye and Dylon's Multipurpose dye, contains two kinds of dye, mixed together - 'direct' dye which does a fair job of dyeing cotton, and 'leveling acid' dye which will dye both wool and nylon. It is best to use pure acid dyes on nylon, instead, as you can see more clearly what color you will end up with, and you avoid wasting money on the direct dye portion that cannot stick to nylon, and you can choose to use acid dyes about which more detailed information is available. However, if you are in a hurry and do not wish to wait for mail-order, all purpose dye is readily available in many grocery stores and pharmacies.

A source for acid dyes. Many colors. Black is at the bottom. 1/2 oz. is plenty for a set of belts.
http://www.fabricstodyefor.com/jacqu...ts/aciddye.htm

 

I have always heard that you shouldn't dye setbelts because it weakens them. Just a thought.
Jeff

 

I haven't heard this but it is definetly worth checking into. I need to dye a set as well and was wondering if anyone knew of any "Do's and Dont's" in regard to cleaning them first. Such as what detergent type(s) to perhaps not use prior to attempting to dye the fabric?

Also, I really don't want to dissasemble the presently working retractors. Is it just too Bubba to leave them alone and not submerse just the ends in the dye? I am concerned abiout the retractors coming apart and never going back together right and the very end of the belt wopuld never be seen anyway?


Thanks very much
-Andre