Sport seat restoration

[Sean d]

Well I finally got a set of sports seats, did a deal with @Low Rider at the Z fest and got them today,
They need a lot of work but no more then I expected, it was pretty obvious that they had been painted with some type of leather paint so that was the first thing that need to be looked at, I started on the worst of the 2 seats, the drivers, the passenger seat isn't to bad and will only require the paint to be stripped where as the drivers seat will need 2 bolsters replaced including the compression foam in the base.
I thoroughly enjoy this type of work and I'm really looking forward to the challenge

I started on the bolster that needs replacing just in case the acrylic thinners had an adverse effect on the leather, I used it sparingly as I didn't want to soak the leather, the coating reacted nicely with the thinners and was quite easy to scrape with a plastic applicator, I had to use a small brush around the stitching.

The base is now fully stripped, it looks shocking but I'm rather pleased with it, nice and porous which will accept the dye, I will be removing both back and base covers once they are fully stripped of the old paint.

I removed the heavy stuff from the bottom as it was breaking my back every time I moved the seats

You can clearly see the collapsed bolster

Thats it for now guys however I will be asking a few questions

 

[littlefeller]

excellent, i like work like this too, very rewarding. keep us posted

 

[Bozzy]

Interesting I'll watch with a keen eye as the drivers seat on mine needs some attention to the bolster as well.
They'll look great when you've sorted them Sean,they're much better than the standard seats .

Steve

 

[Sean d]

Ok guys, first question, I'm assuming this is part of the heating system, how does it come off

 

[Antm72]

I think its an occupency sensor for the airbag system but if wrong i stand corrected not sure on its removal sorry i never striped my seats any further than back off.

 

[Sean d]

I think its an occupency sensor for the airbag system but if wrong i stand corrected not sure on its removal sorry i never striped my seats any further than back off.

Cheers mate, can you recommend a balm @Antm72

 

[Antm72]

To make the leather supple ? Liquid leather do one thats excellent and it adds the new leather smell back too.

 

[Antm72]

That yellow band in the back of the seat is suppose to be a stop switch for the seat mate just found it as wasn't sure

 

[Sean d]

That yellow band in the back of the seat is suppose to be a stop switch for the seat mate just found it as wasn't sure

Thanks pal, that makes sense

 

[Sean d]

To make the leather supple ? Liquid leather do one thats excellent and it adds the new leather smell back too.

Yes mate to make it supple, it is very stiff at the minute

 

[Sean d]

Next question, I have seen somewhere that you can get a wiring harness, so that they will fit to standard seat multi plugs, any ideas where guys

 

[Antm72]

Theres is an adaptation loom which goes from pre face lift wiring to facelift wiring i presume its just cables and works vica versa.... if needs be.

 

[Faheem]

@seand have a look at a company called leatherique they make leather restoration products and they are a tad dear but the results are absolutely mind blowing.

 

[Low Rider]

Ok guys, first question, I'm assuming this is part of the heating system, how does it come off
View attachment 40047 View attachment 40048

@Russell O

 

[Low Rider]

Next question, I have seen somewhere that you can get a wiring harness, so that they will fit to standard seat multi plugs, any ideas where guys

On the underside of facelift seats you'll find one big yellow plug

and under the seat of a pre-facelift car you'll find a different type of plug, and to make it sort of complicated, there's actually three plugs
From here you have some choices, you can either cut the plugs off and join the wires if you can sort this type of thing yourself, or you can buy a couple of BMW purpose made wiring looms. Available from Soper's @Soper Parts Lincoln at £52 each, but it means the job is "plug and go".
BMW Part Number 61106916218

The yellow bit fits into the yellow bit like this

and the other ends fit together like this

Information provided by @Jack Ratt's Thread

https://zroadster.org/threads/insta...eats-into-pre-facelift-zed.13045/#post-207199

 

[Sean d]

Was very bust at work today so didn't get much done on the seat, I removed the base cover and repaired the collapsed bolster

Someone must have had a hot ass in the past as it looks like the heater element has been on fire, its burn't through the heater pad and deep into the foam, also scorched the underside of the leather.

 

[Sean d]

@GazHyde can you clean the thread up please and just leave the relevant stuff thanks

 

[GazHyde]

@GazHyde can you clean the thread up please and just leave the relevant stuff thanks

Done

 

[Sean d]

On the underside of facelift seats you'll find one big yellow plug
View attachment 40078

and under the seat of a pre-facelift car you'll find a different type of plug, and to make it sort of complicated, there's actually three plugs
From here you have some choices, you can either cut the plugs off and join the wires if you can sort this type of thing yourself, or you can buy a couple of BMW purpose made wiring looms. Available from Soper's @Soper Parts Lincoln at £52 each, but it means the job is "plug and go".
BMW Part Number 61106916218

View attachment 40079

The yellow bit fits into the yellow bit like this

View attachment 40081

and the other ends fit together like this

View attachment 40083

Information provided by @Jack Ratt's Thread

https://zroadster.org/threads/insta...eats-into-pre-facelift-zed.13045/#post-207199

Great info thanks pal

 

[Low Rider]

Your welcome Sean but really @Jack Ratt's your man.
I didn't think you were going as far as you are but as you have I would think about replacing the elements that way you wont have to take the seats apart again