I gave mine two tanks of $4+ per gallon gasoline to drink.   I also let
it take me windsurfing twice, to work a couple of times and bicycling
once.  I blew the sawdust out of the inside with my air hose.   I exchanged
loads about 10 times....Out come the tools, in go the windsurf boards,
sails and booms and wetsuits..Out comes that, tools go back in, bike goes
on the tailgate...   I squirted it off with the hose, checked the tires and
oil a couple of times too.  Mostly, I just drove the crap out of it, having
fun in my 'do all' vanagon...

On Tue, Aug 28, 2012 at 7:12 PM, J B <jbever@excite.com> wrote:

> My belts are slow at retracting as well so I'll give this a try - thanks!
>
> I tried my hand at re-upholstering some of the door panels today. Pretty
> happy with the results especially considering the minimal cost
>
> http://1981vwcamper.blogspot.com/
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Roland" [syncronicity1@GMAIL.COM]
> Date: 08/28/2012 08:32 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: What did you do for your Vanagon this week?
>
> Washed the driver's side seat belt.  Easy job.  Simply pulled it out of the
> reel all the way, clamped it so it wouldn't retract.  Then placed a bucket
> of warm soapy water on the little shelf next to the seat, dumped it all in,
> squeeze repeatedly like you are washing a rag, then rinse with clean
> water.  No need to unbolt anything, the middle part of the seat belt is the
> problem, not the ends.
>
> Nice and soft and flexible once again.  It actually retracts now when I let
> it go.
>
> Roland
>