Removing front seat belts - real time help

[CappyKD]

You DO NOT need to remove your seatbelts to get them clean as new. I just purchase a 98 100 with 265k miles on it. Tan interior and the tan belts in front were almost black with 15 years of spillage, oil from hands, and other assorted spillage. A quick Google search and I found that detailers extend the belts to their maximum length, pull them outside the doors and close the doors so the belts hang outside the vehicle. Simply saturate with a NON-petroleum based degreaser (I used citrus based), let it soak and hose off with high pressure stream of water. My belts look NEW. Sure, my clothes were soaked, but it was worth it. My wife wouldn't get in LC before, now she want to make it her own. What have I done?

Great first post. Welcome!

 

[Geepeater]

Thanks. I've trolled forums like this for years, mostly Audi related, and this is one of the best. I'm as much a gearhead as anybody but hopefully this tip will save someone from pulling apart their seat belt system for no reason. One more thing on the cleaning process, don't be afraid to to soak, rinse, and REPEAT. I did my fronts 3 times. Also, most detailers seem to recommend power washers but my garden hose had plenty of pressure.

 

[Muddy Bean]

Having owned several Toyota's of various vintages, I am not impressed that they made the lousiest seat belt sliders and retraction systems. My current Camry and LC both have the "I don't feel like retracting so feed me back into my retractor manually so you don't slam the belt buckle in the door sill" syndrome. I've considered replacing the slider with one from say a Buick that has the chromed metal slider. Those Buick belts never ever lose their retractability. I know we can wash the belts, but it annoys me that my other cars could have soiled belts and still retract properly. Would like to know more about the slippery tape we can get and apply to the sliders...where can we get this stuff?