The Upholstery Forum

So I determined I need to recover the backrests on the Mini Copper (I was just going to do the cushions). However, looking at this forum I have learned that the side air bags are an issue. Dang! This is my own car, not a customer's. But I still don't want to create a problem there, and may want to sell the car some day.

Before I planned on just covering over it, but now I know better. So I had a few ideas

One, I could just create a "slip cover" that has an opening on the side, exactly over the piece that covers the air bag. To make it look better, I could also create a piece the same size as the opening just to hide the opening, but not stitch it on. Just glue or Velcro it right on the piece that covers the air bag. I can;t imagine just having that stuck on there would be an issue since the original break-away threads are still in tact and not blocked.

My other idea was, what if I do it like a regular re-upholstery thing... except for the piece that covers the air bags, cut it out of the origional 1/2 inch BEYOND the original breakaway seam (leaving that as it is.) Then stitch the old piece into the new cover, but rather than replacing the original stitching, add a second stitch just beyond the original. (in that 1/2 extra material I cut out.)

So if the air bag went off, the new stitch would probably stay as it is, but the original break away stitch would still be free to do its thing, unobstructed.

I hope those explanations make sense? Easier to visualize than to explain in words. Any thoughts on either idea? It seems as long as the old stitch is free to break away without obstruction, it should be good. Right?

Thanks muchly!
Cervantes

Its really hard to give advice on this topic. Its a very legally iffy subject and no one wants to be liable for the malfunction of an airbag. I personally wont do any cars with airbags unless extensive release of liability documents are signed and notarized. The real problem is that car companies wont disclose any information on how to properly repair or replace their seat covers. So no one really know a correct answer... Sorry.

What about heated and air conditioning seats. What is take on reupholstering these.

@Cervantes,

As much excitement I have had for anything seating I just walk away from anything SRS. There is so much to the recalibration of even seat cushion cover repairs that have to be done at the dealership once that cover has been altered that I wont even touch it. It is just a topic that is not up for discussion and something as a trimmer I have accepted and am content to stick to the classic cars.

On factory heated seats the heating element is usually not reusable and you will have to use an after market heating element. Make sure your customer knows this and the performance of the heating may be different. With air conditioned seats you just need to use perforated material in the areas you want the air to blow.