when I worked at a seating manufacture doing production sewing the seat cover installers used Stoner Urethane Mold Release
I would be careful with silicone I've heard that silicone is bad for plastic and vinyl surfaces. It is a big cause of many cracked dashboards being rubbed down with Armor All for years. (so I was told when attending Wyo. Tech.) I don't know this for sure but I don't take the chance. Its definitely not good to have in the air if you do any painting.
Dry silicone spray works great for helping slide covers on. Andy is correct in that you don't want to be spraying it anywhere near where you will be doing any painting.