Seats: occupancy sensor transplant and leather repair

Again, thanks guys! It was a little daunting with the hot air gun, I was very cautious. To be fair I did have the advantage of knowing that they would be stripped a sprayed afterwards.

Guiseley, if it's just a spring clean have a look at the Scuffmasters lot - Gliptone cleaner or Furniture Clinic seem to have specific cleaners for most things, were really helpful EVERY time I called them.

Just make sure the leather is thoroughly nourished after cleaning / heating.
 
Just an update on the occupancy sensor. I had my car in at the local indi the other day for my MOT, got to chatting about the occupancy sensor. Apparently it can be programmed out with Autologic (or whatever it's called) so that basically it will always appear occupied. I know there is the bypass box available on eBay, but for anyone who has set the warning light off and needs to get it reset you could get this done at the same time. I would expect / hope for very little extra cost as they're already plugged in.
 
Enjoyed reading it, always great to see someone taking an effort to do something like this :thumbsup:
 
This is simply amazing. this post has peaked my interest in doing this mod. I have been wanting to tighten up my drivers seat for awhile.

I do have a question though :oops: I currently have normal Z4 leather seats in beige, could I do this and dye them to black and it turn out? Or should I stick to the same color or just get new seats?
 
I'd have thought the lighter seats with black would look good?

If you want a colour change and your seats aren't a complete mess then I'd just swap them for something different. If you're willing to have a go at restoring some seats it does improve your chance of getting a bargain - I don't think I had any competition for these as they were seen as being in such back condition! Normally it's a feeding frenzy when M-Sport seats come up.

To answer the original question though, yes you could use this method to recolour seats - I think the kit might be slightly different, but only in what is used to strip the seats back. Also, you would need to take a lot more care to get every last mm of visible leather... so I would personally just swap them.
 
I agree with PawnSacrifice: I wouldn't go changing the colo(u)r of seats unless they were in less-than-perfect condition. Echo that I think light seats against black is a good combo though?

I used the PawnSacrifice™ method to tighten the leather in my current seats and it worked very well :thumbsup:
 
So, could I just use a heat gun to tighten the seats, without having to recolor? My seats are actually in good condition. May just try the heating method...and look for some black or red m seats :)
 
BettyBmw03 said:
So, could I just use a heat gun to tighten the seats, without having to recolor? My seats are actually in good condition. May just try the heating method...and look for some black or red m seats :)
Click to expand...
Yes, I used a heat gun to tighten the leather on a new set of seats I bought, and didn't recolo(u)r. As long as you're careful with the heat and take your time it's fine to do that. I've got before and after photos on my thread HERE
 
What A11y said. It works a treat, but I'd be especially careful on a lighter colour as it is possible to scorch the leather... although you'd have to be pretty stupid to manage that - which I don't think you are, having seen you recent work. Start with the air gun too far out and gradually work closer to the leather, until you find a distance you're happy with. Keep the air gun moving at all times any check the heat of the leather regularly. Be patient, this isn't the quickest job!

Couple things I may not have mentioned before - give the seats a good clean before hand and leave to dry, I used and 1/10 dilution of Megs APC. I wanted to make sure I wasn't burning any dirt / grease into the leather.

Once the leather had cooled apply a leather conditioner (I was supplied one in the kit). I used this again after a week. Having dried out the leather to an extent, I thought it seemed like a good idea.
 
navid.v said:
Hi there

Was wondering if you can guide me in the right direction :) I have bought a pair of heated m seats for my car but as I have read the passenger occupancy sensor needs replacing. Read your post for when you did yours but a bit scared to take the seat cover off! Did you take the back rest off? Haven't done anything like this so not sure what to do. Any advice for a novice? What parts of the seat do I need to take off?I don' want to take the cover off and don't be able to put it right.

Thanks in advance.
Navid
Click to expand...

navid.v, saw the above on another thread (hijack) but I see you've removed that now :thumbsup:

Assuming the seats are from a facelift or M car then you will have to deal with the occupancy sensor. Not sure if it is 100% necessary, but your life will be a lot easier if you take the backrest off - it's two large torx bolts, can't recall what size. All you need to do then is remove the seat cover from the base, start at the back and work forward until you get past the sensor, there's no need to remove it completely.

Taking the cover off it fiddly but very easy. Likewise for putting it back on, only it's fiddlier! Only a couple pointers... use a pair of needlenose pliers to open the rings that attach the cover to the seat. Also, don't open the rings too far - you want to be able to remove them comfortably, but if you open them right up it makes it difficult to get them back on again.

Don't worry, I was a seat novice when I started all of this.

Good luck, although just be patient and you'll be fine :thumbsup:
 
was using my bloody ipod when I posted, I meant to pm you but it posted it on the forum, so realistically wasn't a thread hijack :P

will probably give it a go monday, as not keen on the idea of the bypass sensor, just in case something happened.

will report back when I am done or got stuck somewhere :roll:

cheers.
 
Took the cover off today from my new seat, the occupancy sensor is out! Tomorrow's task is to remove the old sensor and install the seat.

So far hasn't been easy considering I am useless with this sort of thing :)
 
Take some pics if you can Navid.
Ive got a bypass occupancy sensor that i havent got round to fitting. My seats are from an 09 car and my airbag light although of for a few months is now on and wont go out so im sure its the seat :(
 
There isn't really much that hasn't been covered! As said initially have to be very patient and you'll be fine.

What I had to do was to remove the back rest 1st; then remove the heating pad cable from the base and remove the back rest completely; next was to remove the side plastic covers,e.g electric buttons trim in order to have full access to the cover; then is the rings which are hard work!

I'll post some photos when I am done and good luck with your repair Dreamer :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom