I'm looking at painting my a, b, and maybe even C-pillars black. I'll use a low-gloss paint...likely a flat krylon black I heard alex mention recently. I think it'll darken the overall feel of the interior a bit until I can cover EVERYTHING with alcantara. :-D But my question is this: I know for sure that my car has side curtain airbags that MAY deploy from the a and b-pillars. That said, if I'm to pry off (so I can paint it) a panel that has an airbag module behind it, what risk do I run of it exploding in my face if I accidentally get too friendly with my screwdriver? The panels seem to be on there extremely tight...as if they're not meant to ever come off. I understand this is a total n00b question, I just think that would catastrophic (....and loud) on many levels should something deploy. Not to mention expensive. I've also heard that curtain airbags are in the headliners.... Any help is appreciated. Thanks fellers!
I *THINK* you have to hit the sensor for the airbags to deploy....usually, that sensor is somewhere in the side body of the car (door frame, etc..) I *THINK* just carefully prying off the panels wouldn't be enough pressure to set off the airbag.
pull the Neg (-) battery terminal. Then hit your brakes to finish removing any charge. Then you should be good to pull them. **Note** Some airbags keep charges so that they deploy even when the battery is not hooked up. Since you've got an '08, I don't know if they're this type or not.
Actually I'm beginning to think it might not be worth the risk. Just seems like an airbag is something you shouldn't fuck with. Thanks guys!
And also, I've never heard good things about painting over parts that contain airbags. Read some horror stories about dried paint fucking people up when it explodes.
If it is just the module it should be ok.But if there is an airbag behind I am not sure.All of the ones I have seen(usu. toyota) pop out from behind the panel and not through it.Or they tear trough the seat cover/or headliner and pop out.Usu.the clip for the panel gets destroyed if it is hiding an airbag. Also on a side note I do not recommend seat covers if anyone has airbags in the seat.That can mess with their deployment.Unhooking the battery is probably a good idea thought on some cars you have to reinitialize some computers(again toyota)..Personally I have never unhooked the batt. even when removing airbags themselves but Thats me.