13 replies to this topic

[slant6]

I was at the hobby shop today and almost bought some premade seatbelts. I have PE buckles and what not that I use all the time. I generally cut strips of masking tape for the belt itself, cause I can paint it and it sticks itself on. It doesnt look all that realistic though. Is there something that I might find around the house or cheap in bulk that would be more realistic?

[David G.]

I was at the hobby shop today and almost bought some premade seatbelts. I have PE buckles and what not that I use all the time. I generally cut strips of masking tape for the belt itself, cause I can paint it and it sticks itself on. It doesnt look all that realistic though. Is there something that I might find around the house or cheap in bulk that would be more realistic?

I haven't made seat belts for any of my builds yet, so I can offer no personal points of experience. But, from what I've read on this forum, masking tape is one of the two most commonly used materials for making seat belts. The other is cloth medical tape.

I'm sure others will be able to post more detailed information or even a link to a tutorial.

Hope that helps for now.

[LDO]

Lead foil. It takes whatever shape you want. It will lay flat with no problem. Real seatbelts don't bow outward from the seat.

[M0par Jim]

I was at the hobby shop today and almost bought some premade seatbelts. I have PE buckles and what not that I use all the time. I generally cut strips of masking tape for the belt itself, cause I can paint it and it sticks itself on. It doesnt look all that realistic though. Is there something that I might find around the house or cheap in bulk that would be more realistic?

Try this link http://www.modelcars...ic=31030&st=260

[John Pol]

I use every thin masking tape for my seat belts.I buy it at awile surplie auto body paint store.

John Pol

[midnightprowler]

I use 1/16" craft ribbon, comes in a boatload of colors, and can be painted as well. The aftermarket seels it as seat belt material, and charges a arm and leg for it. Much cheaper to buy it at a craft store, or the craft section at wally world.

[Romell R]

the best thing I found for seat belt material is medical tape made by Johnson & Johnson it has the same threaded nylon look as a real belt and the best thing about it is its cheap and can be colored with Sharpie markers. check out my seatbelt tutorial here at this link. be sure to scroll down a bit http://www.modelcars...ic=31030&st=260 I hope this helps you. Romell

[slant6]

the best thing I found for seat belt material is medical tape made by Johnson & Johnson it has the same threaded nylon look as a real belt and the best thing about it is its cheap and can be colored with Sharpie markers. check out my seatbelt tutorial here at this link. be sure to scroll down a bit http://www.modelcars...ic=31030&st=260 I hope this helps you. Romell

Yup, think that'll do the job, thank you. I keep alot of medical tape around...Im a little but of a clutz.

[Karmodeler2]

Yup, think that'll do the job, thank you. I keep alot of medical tape around...Im a little but of a clutz.

I use I.V. tape or medical tape you can get at Walgreens, and you already have some. Here are the belts in my Cunningham.
It looks almost real and this is magnified several times with my camera. It's hard to see the texture with the naked eye. That's a towel it's sitting on.
David

[250 Testa Rossa]

I seem to have problems with the MCG Seatbelt material, but it won't fit the buckles. Anybody have this problem before?

[Art Anderson]

I use 1/16" craft ribbon, comes in a boatload of colors, and can be painted as well. The aftermarket seels it as seat belt material, and charges a arm and leg for it. Much cheaper to buy it at a craft store, or the craft section at wally world.

Look at a fabric store (or Michael's or Hobby Lobby) for the type of ribbon known as "grosgrain" (pronounced "grow-grain"), which is a slightly coarse but tight weave, and in miniature, can be very convincing for racing seat belts. Grosgrain ribbon, due to its weave pattern, is also quite flexible, so it can be made to lay down pretty tightly, with a bit of contact glue on the back side.

Another source for this type of weave is Dermicil Surgical tape (the stuff used in hospitals, and Dr's offices. Some professional pharmacies sell this stuff, but I've not seen it in Walgreen's or CVS for a long time.

Art

[charlie8575]

Dermicil Surgical Tape.....good thing I have friends that work in hospitals. I'll see if someone can grab me a roll if the price is within reason. We also have a small hospital pharmacy here in town.

Looks like I know what a little bit of next paycheck is going towards.

Charlie Larkin

[vypurr59]

I seem to have problems with the MCG Seatbelt material, but it won't fit the buckles. Anybody have this problem before?

Yes it does not work with the detail master photo etch, but works with their brand of photo etch harness kits

[retroguy]

I just got this from hobby lobby:the ribbon boutique,1/16" double sided satin ribbon,#176842,24' @ 2.00 a roll...
perfect size too...