Removing the Seats

My Detailing Guys

My Detailing Guys

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Do you remove the seats? I can see the benefits in the cleaning process. However, has anyone had any issues by removing the seats?

Thanks, Greg
 
Only in very extreme cases and with the owners approval and signing off on any issues that may happen because of it....
 
I will not remove seats or anything for a customers car besides the license plate.
Always worry something could go wrong, however I'll help the customer remove the seats but only in his presents.
However for those that do sure goes a long way pleasing the customer.
 
Only in extreme cases. Like @HateSwirls said, I am worried about something going wrong. If seats need to be removed, I will have the customer sign a waiver.
 
In my own vehicles, yes. But not in someone else's.
 
Things that could go wrong when removing seats:

- Wiring or harnesses could get jacked up
- Wiring clips and attachment points could get jacked up
- Triggers seat belt warning light (or some other warning light)
- If removing battery: GPS or stereo gets locked if security anti-theft code is unknown by current owner
- Bolts could get stripped or snap in half
- Plastic trim covering the anchor bolts could get cracked or otherwise break
- Other parts of the vehicle could get damaged while removing the seats

If all of that is worth it to you to clean some part of the vehicle that will never be seen GO FOR IT!

I prefer compressed air and contortionist like moves to reach the hard to get areas. If there is a weird smell or stain that goes under the track I will remove the seats but only as a worst case scenario.
 
I will only do it in older cars (90s early 00s) where typically only the drivers seat has one connection and the car is extremely neglected. I charge extra as well. Sometimes it's quicker to remove everything than fight for positions.
 
Nicholas@Autowerx said:
Things that could go wrong when removing seats:

- Wiring or harnesses could get jacked up
- Wiring clips and attachment points could get jacked up
- Triggers seat belt warning light (or some other warning light)
- If removing battery: GPS or stereo gets locked if security anti-theft code is unknown by current owner
- Bolts could get stripped or snap in half
- Plastic trim covering the anchor bolts could get cracked or otherwise break
- Other parts of the vehicle could get damaged while removing the seats

If all of that is worth it to you to clean some part of the vehicle that will never be seen GO FOR IT!

I prefer compressed air and contortionist like moves to reach the hard to get areas. If there is a weird smell or stain that goes under the track I will remove the seats but only as a worst case scenario.
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Or more importantly you could injure yourself while removing the seat. 70lbs at an awkward angle = herniated disk
 
I removed seats from BMWs before and its hit or miss wether or not it will trigger the SRS light (airbag). Even when you d/c the battery, you can still trip the SRS light. I believe the reason is because the module senses a temporary open circuit in the seat sensors and thinks there is a malfunction.

Resetting the light is not as easy as resetting the SES light either. I BELIEVE it can only be done by BMW. At least that was the case a few years ago, as there wasn't an aftermarket scanner that actually worked at resetting the light.

Ask me how I know.
 
Rarely do I ever remove seats, but I do have some clients that have been customers for years that requested I remove the seats. But then again, I share a space with an upholstery shop and they remove seats of cars all day ever day, so at least I have some guidance if I run into any issues. :xyxthumbs:
 
One of my local car club buddies had a detailer remove his seats, and he dropped one coming out. Seat rail touched the car and left a pretty good gouge that will need repaint. I've had someone ask me to do it and I just decline.
 
HateSwirls said:
I will not remove seats or anything for a customers car besides the license plate.
Always worry something could go wrong, however I'll help the customer remove the seats but only in his presents.
However for those that do sure goes a long way pleasing the customer.
Click to expand...


Presence , presents are what you'll be getting at Christmas :props:
 
Only if it's an older model car, say 50's or 60's, would I even consider taking the seats out.
 
Completely depends on the situation. If I'm called in due to a smell or a spill that necessitates it, I'll do it gladly with the understanding that I can't and won't be held responsible for ANYTHING that may happen as a result of disconnecting ANY ELECTRICAL COMPONENT associated with the seat. If I gaff and accidentally scratch the paint or God forbid I somehow tear the fabric/leather, then that's on me. I've yet to have an issue and I offer it as an up-sale with the provisions listed above. I don't get that particular up-sale very often but I'll do it.

Here's another situation that happened this past weekend.
I was cleaning the rear carpets and ran into a massive amount of soap all the sudden. We're talking the water in my sight-glass went from normal brown liquid to pure white foam! The more I went over the specific area, the more suds I got. I followed the trail which disappeared under the passenger seat. Suspecting laundry detergent had gotten spilled or something like that, I called the owner who had forgotten about that spill some months back. He tried to mop it up as best he could but didn't have a wet/dry vac. I told him the situation and suggested he allow me to pull the seat to completely remove the soap which he immediately agreed to. It took me damn near half an hour to get all of it. I charged $50.00 for the time and the extra labor of removing and installing the seat. He was more than happy to pay it because in his mind, he bought peace-of-mind that it was done correctly and wouldn't have to revisit the Oops at a later date.

Now, do I like to remove seats? Not even a little bit. As someone mentioned above... awkward, heavy, un-normal body movement.... Not fun.
 
I had a customer ask the other day if I remove the seats when cleaning the interior, I told him it's not part of my cleaning process, that I clean under & around the seat areas. He continued to tell me over the years he's had other detailers that would remove the seats as a standard part of detailing. I express the reason I don't was the liability issues involved, and even though I'm capable, I prefer not too. The customer said he would get back with me. To date, he hasn't called back.

A lot of good points by everyone. I asked this question because with this guys comment, I thought maybe it something I need to be doing.

Greg
 
My Detailing Guys said:
I had a customer ask the other day if I remove the seats when cleaning the interior, I told him it's not part of my cleaning process, that I clean under & around the seat areas. He continued to tell me over the years he's had other detailers that would remove the seats as a standard part of detailing. I express the reason I don't was the liability issues involved, and even though I'm capable, I prefer not too. The customer said he would get back with me. To date, he hasn't called back.

A lot of good points by everyone. I asked this question because with this guys comment, I thought maybe it something I need to be doing.

Greg
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There are just way too many things that can go wrong to even risk it with today's cars.
 
My Detailing Guys said:
A lot of good points by everyone. I asked this question because with this guys comment, I thought maybe it something I need to be doing.

Greg
Click to expand...
Greg,

NEVER let a customer intimidate or influence you into doing ANYTHING you're not comfortable with - even if it's a deal breaker in the customer's mind. They're not the one who's reputation, insurance premiums, health, etc. is at risk. Better to bow out gracefully and miss the opportunity than to take the risk and have it be the day that the 1 in 1,000 chance that something will happen, happens. Now, if they offer you an extra grand for doing it... :laughing:
 
Coach Steve said:
Greg,

NEVER let a customer intimidate or influence you into doing ANYTHING you're not comfortable with - even if it's a deal breaker in the customer's mind. They're not the one who's reputation, insurance premiums, health, etc. is at risk. Better to bow out gracefully and miss the opportunity than to take the risk and have it be the day that the 1 in 1,000 chance that something will happen, happens. Now, if they offer you an extra grand for doing it... :laughing:
Click to expand...

Never felt intimidate, it just made me think should this become part of my service. I've read/seen other detailers via forums, youtube doing this service as if it were routine. Believe me this is not something I want to do.

I don't have a problem if he doesn't call back, if he does, he already knows I won't remove the seats.

I do like the extra grand idea :dblthumb2:

Thanks,
Greg
 
My Detailing Guys said:
Never felt intimidate, it just made me think should this become part of my service. I've read/seen other detailers via forums, youtube doing this service as if it were routine. Believe me this is not something I want to do.

I don't have a problem if he doesn't call back, if he does, he already knows I won't remove the seats.

I do like the extra grand idea :dblthumb2:

Thanks,
Greg
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Some vans and SUV's have removable seats (Not the 2 front seats), just have the Customer remove those before you begin....

Other than that... NOPE.....
 
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