Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: rwmastel on October 08, 2003, 14:53:42

Title: Washing hard top when not on the car
Post by: rwmastel on October 08, 2003, 14:53:42

Has anyone tried this?  I might try it after dinner tonight or tomorrow night.  I was thinking that it could just sit there, leaning forward on the leading edge, and all the water would just run off each side and not get to the interior.  Should I try it?  Has anyone else done it?

Thanks,

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

Title: Re: Washing hard top when not on the car
Post by: Cees Klumper on October 08, 2003, 15:02:55

This is the position that the hard top sits in in my garage. I cannot imagine why it would not work fine the way you describe.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

Title: Re: Washing hard top when not on the car
Post by: dwilli3038 on October 08, 2003, 18:26:50

Hello Rodd,

As an engineer, I am trained to evaluate the risk vs.probability when aplying theory to practice. In theory what you described will work.

The risk is you could get soapy water on the inside. I do not remeber how your headliner looked. Of newly restored this would be a huge risk, but if planned for restoration in the next couple of years the risk is low.

Next the probability of a problem needs to be addressed. When you wash the car, are you one who does not get wet, or are you like me, end up soaked? Because if you are like me it is higly probable you will get some on the headliner.

For me, I would put it back on the car to clean it....but then again I am rather messy at times.



Daryl
'64 230 SL
Serial # 508

Title: Re: Washing hard top when not on the car
Post by: kns on October 08, 2003, 19:37:50

The equation presently assumes that you will use a lot of water in the process. A lint-free cotton cloth, dampened and wrung out, has to be the quickest, most effective and headliner-friendly means of cleaning the hardtop, on car or off! ;)

Cheers,

kns.
1965 230SL, Manual
[1965 220SEb Coupe, Man.]

Title: Re: Washing hard top when not on the car
Post by: n/a on October 09, 2003, 05:06:32

Rodd,
Sounds like a neat experiment. Let us know what happens.

Regards,
Stan

Title: Re: Washing hard top when not on the car
Post by: J. Huber on October 10, 2003, 14:05:29

Hey Rodd.

Your plan sounds do-able to me. I hope you have a way to roll it outside the garage first ...

Personally, I have a longstanding traditon with regard to this: Each year, around the end of November, I enlist lots of help and put the Hardtop on ... I immediately wash and wax it and go for a spin ... It just seems like a different car with that top on. I love it and the way it looks ... But once that top comes off again -- usually around February 15th, it stays off until the next time around ...

Now, once I get a hoist, this may all change  ;)

James
63 230SL

Title: Re: Washing hard top when not on the car
Post by: Jonny B on October 11, 2003, 18:04:18

Rod,

Rather than go the water route, how about using Griot's Speed Shine, or the Mequiars Quick Detail spray? There is not all that much surface to clean, and this stuff works really well for quick clean ups etc.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto