Engine Pully Belt(s) Alternative. Ideas?

I know many of you have the same problem; the plastic pulley belts that are molded to the pulleys don’t look very good. I can fabricate my own pulleys, but having trouble with recreating the belt. I've tried styrene strip, but that has been quite unsuccessful. I've seen cool aftermarket kits, but they're a bit pricey. Can anyone share a cheap alternative?

i was going to suggest the thin styrene strip. i'm planning on that for the belts and pulleys on my corolla project.

I use the scrpas form one of the b;ack vynil roof kits, however a thin strip of masking tape painted black works well.
Someone on the SA bord suggested using an Archery Product called Spider Legs
heres the thread
http://www.scaleautomag.com/sca/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10490

for a non ribbed belt, use masking tape painted black

for a non ribbed belt, use masking tape painted black
Gee thanks for repeating what I just posted

Thanks for the help!

Use very tiny rubber bands sprayed black...very easy to use and look good

Use very tiny rubber bands sprayed black...very easy to use and look good
Someone esle mentioned those, said they found them at Office Max I think
Arrowhead Aluminum makes some real cool turned ones with belt as well as some nice one for blown V-8s and stuff

http://www.arrowheadaluminum.com/files/SPS-06web.jpg

http://www.arrowheadaluminum.com/Pulleys.html

I'll swear by the masking tape method. Cheapest detail you could add! I cut very thin strips, then I run them through the pulleys and for an added but of realism, I paint the top of the belt black and the tooth side black with a touch of rust.

Go to an Art store and get Chart Tape, made by Letra-set. Comes in several sizes, and in black.
Randy

Black electric (vinyl) tape cut in strips....

I actually used embroidery thread on the 90 Mustang I built, it was easy to use but didn't look as good as I wanted it to.

electric tape is what i use, if it's too shiny for your taste, then dull coat it.

I have used black baloons cut into thin strips (the "over the hill" baloons are usually a good source) Depending on where you get your strip of rubber you get different lengths, so you can slip it over the pulleys without splicing 2 ends together.

I use plain old printer paper painted with a sharpie. Looks good enough for me, but probably not thick enough for a v-belt setup.
http://images3.fotki.com/v24/photos/4/43509/266418/P5270044-vi.jpg

I am working on a tutorial that will bring you through the steps of detailing the kit supplied belts to look very real and have some chrome pullies as a side effect. I hope no one has done it before, I wanna have atleast ONE original idea!!!

Good stuff guys! I'm going to give them all a shot. :sunglasse

I have used black baloons cut into thin strips (the "over the hill" baloons are usually a good source) Depending on where you get your strip of rubber you get different lengths, so you can slip it over the pulleys without splicing 2 ends together.


Ooohhhh! I like this one. No paint or glue required....

Murray