refreshing those red seat belt release buttons

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Ed Lyerly
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Location: North Carolina, USA

refreshing those red seat belt release buttons

Post by Ed Lyerly »

I read a tip here somewhere about refreshing the color on those faded seat belt release buttons. These red buttons become sort of a faded pink/orange over the years due to UV exposure. Last winter I refreshed the color on my slightly faded Lama leather interior, and got it looking pretty good. Now the faded seat belt release buttons stick out like a sore toe.
Today I tried the refresh method on the driver's seat release button. It turned out great ..... so I thought I would share my version of the release button color refresh.
My thanks to the OP who identified this Krylon color for this application !!

Products needed:
(1) A small bottle of 91 proof Isopropyl Alcohol.
(2) A spray can of Bulldog Adhesion Promoter (Klean-Strip)
(3) A spray can of Krylon Fusion #2328 Red Pepper/Safety Red for plastic
(4) A tack cloth to wipe any dust off the release button just before spraying.

Procedure:
(1) Thoroughly clean the faded red button with the 91 proof alcohol. Do this 3 times
(2) Carefully tape off the the rest of buckle, leaving only the red release button exposed. Take your time and do this carefully.
(3) Carefully wipe the red button with a tack cloth to remove any dust.
(4) Spray a light coat of Bulldog Adhesion promoter followed by a 2nd light coat 3 minutes later.
(5) Wait 5 minutes, then spray two light coats of the Krylon Red Pepper onto the button. Examine your work carefully, and possibly add a 3rd light coat if necessary.

Here are a couple shots comparing the newly finished drivers seat buckle to the existing passenger seat buckle (which will soon get the same treatment).

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By R_E_L at 2012-03-20

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By r_e_l at 2012-03-20

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By r_e_l at 2012-03-20
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1985 M635 #1998 (gone but not forgotten)
1994 850CSi (also gone but not forgotten)
1985 M635 #589
V

Post by V »

Looks great. Nice work, thanks for sharing.

The button can be removed too, just slides off. Might be easier than masking the rest.
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woody6
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Post by woody6 »

V wrote:Looks great. Nice work, thanks for sharing.

The button can be removed too, just slides off. Might be easier than masking the rest.
I have to do this project as well. Can you enlighten me as to how the button slides off?

--Woody
1985 M635Csi
1985 Euro 635CSi (MIA)
1997 540-6 (sold)
1986 635CSi (sold)
rmorin49

Post by rmorin49 »

woody6 wrote:
V wrote:Looks great. Nice work, thanks for sharing.

The button can be removed too, just slides off. Might be easier than masking the rest.
I have to do this project as well. Can you enlighten me as to how the button slides off?

--Woody
+1, I am also interested as all of my buttons need to be refurbished.
V

Post by V »

They just slide off in this direction. Get a thumbnail or something underneath and push.
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rmorin49

Post by rmorin49 »

V wrote:They just slide off in this direction. Get a thumbnail or something underneath and push.
Thanks, I'll give it a try next weekend. Just put mine away after removing the instrument cluster and replacing the bulbs. Drove to dinner and you might know started raining so I had to give her a quick bath before putting back in garage until next weekend.
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ozbmwnut
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Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: refreshing those red seat belt release buttons

Post by ozbmwnut »

Just found this old post. i need to remove the "red" part of the buckle too, but the posts with showing helpful photos have been removed. Could someone please help with fresh removal instructions? Thanks in advance.
3/1986 Complianced, Aust delivered E24. Bronzit with Pearl Beige.
Garage buddies: E9 3.0 csi Polaris Silver, blue leather ; E34 M5 Alpine White, Black extended leather ; E39 M5 Carbon Black, Caramel Heritage Leather.
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dwcains
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Re: refreshing those red seat belt release buttons

Post by dwcains »

I never did figure out how to get mine apart, so I'd like specifics, too. They don't look bad, but they could look better, and I've got the paint.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

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Ralph in Socal
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Re: refreshing those red seat belt release buttons

Post by Ralph in Socal »

Trying to post a pic from my phone so please be patient.

The pic shows the back side retention. Basically depress the button part way until you can get a thin flat blade under the base of the "E" and pry. It pops off from the base sideways then slides the rest of the way off until the end guides clear

Ralph
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There is a very fine line between "Hobby" and Mental Illness.

85 635csi Zinno Auto
84 528i Euro
83 635 Euro Arktik
81 528i Kastanien 5-speed
88 528e Bronzit (Granpa Car)
86 535i Auto (For Sale)
81 633 csi (retired)
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hornhospital
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Re: refreshing those red seat belt release buttons

Post by hornhospital »

Thank you, Ralph! =D>
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
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dwcains
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Location: Lutz, FL

Re: refreshing those red seat belt release buttons

Post by dwcains »

Thanks from me, too, Ralph. I bought the paint a very long time ago, and now I can use it. One more tiny detail made right.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

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