How to Dye Seat Belts | 2 Easy Methods

Your seat belts may have faded away and you’re looking at buying a new seat belt for your car. But the color of new seat belts may not match the interior color of your car. So, what will you do now?

The best solution is dyeing your old seat belt. Because you can get your desired color seat belt that can match the interior of your car and also can save a lot of cost in this way. But do you know how to dye seat belts?

All the detailed processes of dyeing different types of seat belts are given here in this guide. So, follow the instructions below and dye your seat belts accordingly to get your desired colored seatbelt.

Can You Dye Seat Belts?

When we plan to dye a seat belt, the first thing that may come to our mind is whether it is possible to dye seat belts or not. Fortunately, the answer is yes, you can dye your seat belts.

However, the techniques of dyeing seat belts can be different as there are different types of seat belts can be found which are made of different types of materials.

If your seat belt is made of nylon, then you can use Acid Dyes. But if your seat belts are made of polyester, you will need the Disperse Dyes or Spray paint for dyeing those.

Let’s move to the point now on how to dye seat belts.

The Process of How to Dye Seat Belts

Here is given the process of dyeing both types of seat belts – nylon seat belts and polyester seat belts. But first, let’s check what you’ll need to gather before dyeing your seatbelts.

Required Materials for Dyeing Seat Belts

To dye your seat belts, you’ll need the following materials –

1. All-purpose dye.
2. Strong acid dye or disperse dye/Spray paint (According to the material of your seat belts)
3. A large non-aluminum cooking pot.
4. Vinegar.
5. Lacquer thinner.
6. Washing powder.
7. Brush.
8. Warm Water.
9. A stove.
10. A tong.
11. Vinyl gloves.

Method 1: Dye Nylon Fabric Seat Belts

If your seat belts are made of nylon fabrics, then follow the steps below to dye them –

Step 1: Remove the seatbelts from your car and remove all the plastic attachments of it.

Step 2: Put some washing powder into warm water and sink the seat belts into it for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Wash the seat belts with a brush and ensure the surface of the seat belts is completely cleaned.

Step 4: Put some lacquer thinner into a bowl and let the seat belts soak for 10 seconds.

Step 5: Wear the vinyl gloves, take warm water into a pot, put the acid dye powder into it, and make a mixture.

Note: 

• You can use the “all-purpose dye” in the mixture so that you only have to use a pinch of acid dye into it.
• You can choose the color of acid dye according to your preferance.

Step 5: Take a large non-aluminum cooking pot, and pour some water into it so that the seat belts can sink easily.

Step 6: Put the seatbelts into the cooking pot, and pour some vinegar and the acid dye mixture into it.

Step 7: Boil the seatbelts in the dye for about 30 minutes. The temperature of the water should be around 180°F.

Once the seat belts are dyed, air dry them properly before use in your car.

You can check this video below to understand the process visually

Method 2: Dye Polyester Fabric Seat Belts

If your seat belts are made of polyester fabrics, then follow the steps below to dye them –

Step 1: Wash your seatbelts as instructed in the previous method and submerge the seatbelts in a bowl of lacquer thinner for 10 seconds.

Step 2: Take the seatbelts out of the thinner and while they are wet, spray paint on them. You can use any pattern or color according to your preference. You can try the tie-dye pattern though.

Finally, let your seat belts dry completely, and once they’re dried, reinstall them in your car.

Some Important Things to Consider Before Dyeing Your Seat Belts

Here are some important facts that you need to consider before dyeing your seat belts –

• Do not reuse dye pots for food preparation.
• Do not dye seat belts without cleaning them properly.
• Do not make the dye mixture too thick. You can add thinner to make the mixture thin so that the fiber of the seat belts absorbs them easily. 
• Make sure the seat belts are entirely dry before they are re-installed in your car.
• As seat belts are one of the most important safety equipment of a car, make sure the seat belts are re-installed correctly. You can seek a profession in this case.
• As the seatbelts will drip wet dye during drying, make sure to hang them in a safe place so that you can minimize the risk of staining anything.
• If the fibers of your seatbelts are already damaged, replace them instead of dyeing them.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Can I Change the Color of Seat Belts?

Yes, you can change the color of the seat belts. You can find new seat belts in various colors on the market. You can replace the seatbelts to change their color. But if you can’t find your desired colored seatbelts on the market, you can dye them as instructed above in this article.

What Do I Spray on A Seatbelt?

You need to use silicone paint spray on your polyester seat belt. But if your seatbelts are made of nylon fiber, then you have to use acid dye. While painting your seatbelts, you need to lightly spray on your seatbelts in a slow-moving process. 

Conclusion

A step-by-step guide on how to dye seat belts is provided in this article and we hope, now you can easily dye your old seat belts in your home for a small cost. If you have any other queries regarding how to dye seat belts, feel free to ask in our comment section below. Good luck with dyeing your seat belts.