Can I scotchguard my top to make it more water resistant. When I get caught in one of those Colorado gully washers, my top seems to get soaked to the bone.
I would suggest that you avoid Scotchgard as it seems to harden the material.
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The following writing is a word by word exact copy of the Operating & Care of SL tops owners manual page 17. I am writing this because I do not know how to insert a picture. I try to attach a scan picture of the page but is to big. I will be glad to scan the whole manual (17 pages) for you guys to see if I am giving a place to upload it because will be quite large as a PDF. I have a 560 SL but the manual should be good for all W107.
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The following information is vital to maintaining the apperance and longevity of the soft top.
Care of the Soft Top:
- Whenever possible, park the vehicle in the shade. Continuos exposure to sun rays ca prematurely detiriorate the soft top material.
- To prevent the edges of the soft top material from curling, always make sure that lies flat in the storage compartment when stowed.
-Besure to tuck the lower lip material of the soft top down and inward all around the perimeter of the storage compartment (seepage 15).
The following writing is a word by word exact copy of the Operating & Care of SL tops owners manual page 17. I am writing this because I do not know how to insert a picture. I try to attach a scan picture of the page but is to big. I will be glad to scan the whole manual (17 pages) for you guys to see if I am giving a place to upload it because will be quite large as a PDF. I have a 560 SL but the manual should be good for all W107.
Cleaning the Soft Top.
The soft top need not be wahsed with detergent every time the vehicle is washed. Rinsing the soft top with clean water should be sufficient.
DRY - Using a soft-bristled brush (strokes to be only in one directio, i.e. front-to rear).
WET - First brush soft top dry (as above)
- Wash with a mild detergent (MB shampoo, part no. ))) 986 15 71). Using ample supply of lukewarm water, wipe with sponge or soft-bristle brush (strokes to be only in one direction, i.e. front-to-rear).
-Rinse thoroughly with clear water.
- Wipe plastic windows with a soft cloth soaked in a mild, non-abrasive detergent, rinse and rub dry.
-Allow top to completely air dry before stowing the soft top in the storage compartment (se page 15).
Minor scratches or a light surface haze in the plastic windows can be romoved with a cleaner/polisher design for use on plastic. Such products are available in auto parts. store.
Well that is the most I have typed in a long time.
How do you get bird shit off it ??
The seagull left a really nice gift, when i washed it off !!
mine has left a ring ... Some people say it is lucky if a seagulls hits on your soft top ~ any suggestions..
Baw
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Vehicle: 1987 560SL Gone but not forgotten! & 1999 SL500 For Now
Location: Bradenton, FL
Posts: 509
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bawbag
How do you get bird shit off it ??
The seagull left a really nice gift, when i washed it off !!
mine has left a ring ... Some people say it is lucky if a seagulls hits on your soft top ~ any suggestions..
Baw
Bawbag,
Here in Florida, seagulls are of course everywhere. Their 'deposits' can be removed if not left in the sun too long!
I've used a couple things that worked.
1) Convertible top cleaner spray available at auto stores. The one I have on hand is BlueMagic convertible top cleaner. Downside is that it appears to be soap concentrate as it foams and you will need lots of water to rinse out.
2) Surprising to me when told about this, but a laundry product, like Spray n' Wash, or Biz, the stuff used to pre-treat stains on washable materials has worked very well without the foaming nonsense and rinses out very easily.
Dampen the top in either case prior to spraying anything on it and use a soft bristle brush to rub the stuff in.
Out of habit, once the top is dry and the stain gone, I always apply water proofing spray to the area.
Has anybody replaced their own conv. top on an SL? I have put one on a dodge and one on a VW bug and it was definitely a 2-person job. I had one put on a BMW 325 by a so-called Xpert and they did such a lousy job i took it back apart and redid it myself (after they charged me $450 labor) So i wonder if i should try putting my own on a 560Sl or just send the car out..Pete Walls
I put a new top on my 76 450SL and it was a one day and some cuss words job.
Watch how you take off the old top and make some notes on anything you see that looks will be difficult to duplicate on the installation.
The key to a successful job is the centering of the top and using the factory premarked chalk line that marks the fold over the front bow. Center the back side precisely before gluing. Glue the rear bow first and then put the front bow into the holes on the windshield frame and then glue the front in place. When you then lock the front and back bows in the down position the top will be stretched nice and tight.
A tight attachment of the front edge of the top at the back edge of the doors will make for a nice smooth wrinkle free installation
Since I finally got my new seats installed on New Year's Eve, I am ready to put the hard top on for the winter. I seem to recall a thread where someone put something in the well to absorb moisture while the soft top was stored. Maybe it was moisture AND odor, I can't recall.
I'm not sure I want an open box of Arm & Hammer bouncing around back there and dryer sheets seem too perfumey. Any suggestions?
Since I finally got my new seats installed on New Year's Eve, I am ready to put the hard top on for the winter. I seem to recall a thread where someone put something in the well to absorb moisture while the soft top was stored. Maybe it was moisture AND odor, I can't recall.
I'm not sure I want an open box of Arm & Hammer bouncing around back there and dryer sheets seem too perfumey. Any suggestions?
Zhenya says:
Whenever a chemical is used in there, you risk damaging the plastic windows. The best thing to do is to make sure the soft top is absolutely dry before you stow it. If it means pulling the car into the garage and going over the soft top with a hair drier, then that's what you do. As long as it's dry and folded correctly, moisture and mold shouldn't be a problem.
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