Author Topic: My new soft top  (Read 3039 times)

lurtch

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, CA, Santa Rosa
  • Posts: 366
  • " ICON 66 "
My new soft top
« on: June 10, 2018, 21:06:51 »
Hell All,

Check out my new top. I finally got around to replacing the shredded mess that was on the car when I got it in 2004.

I wanted something out of the ordinary, so I had to special order and wait two months (GAHH was the vendor). The interior is Burgundy leather. They want me to sun-soak it a few times and let it stretch for two weeks.

Then I go back in the shop and they will show me how to get it to crease correctly so it goes down in the well like it is supposed to. They also recommend tucking a micro-fiber towel in the crease where the window doubles back on itself, to prevent chaffing.

Larry in CA

Larry Hemstreet  in  N. Cal.

1966  230SL  Met. Anthracite w/ Maroon leather
1981  300TDT (Concours, 86K w/ GETRAG 5sp)
1982  300TDT (rough and rusty)
1986  560SEC (totaled)
1991  300TE (gifted)
1998  E320 (sold)
2004  E320 wagon (gifted)
2008  CLK550 cabriolet

doitwright

  • Full Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • USA, IL, Willowbrook
  • Posts: 644
Re: My new soft top
« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2018, 21:19:36 »
Looks good. Where did you have it installed?
Frank Koronkiewicz
Willowbrook, Illinois

1970 280SL Originally Light Ivory - Now Anthracite Gray Metallic

lurtch

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, CA, Santa Rosa
  • Posts: 366
  • " ICON 66 "
Re: My new soft top
« Reply #2 on: June 11, 2018, 02:24:43 »
Hi Frank

I see we are Anthracite Metallic brothers - - -

A local shop here in Santa Rosa did the job and the lead installer told me "I've been doing this kind of work for 50 years - - ." So far, so good.

Larry
Larry Hemstreet  in  N. Cal.

1966  230SL  Met. Anthracite w/ Maroon leather
1981  300TDT (Concours, 86K w/ GETRAG 5sp)
1982  300TDT (rough and rusty)
1986  560SEC (totaled)
1991  300TE (gifted)
1998  E320 (sold)
2004  E320 wagon (gifted)
2008  CLK550 cabriolet

cfm65@me.com

  • Associate Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • Mossel Bay, South Africa
  • Posts: 701
Re: My new soft top
« Reply #3 on: June 11, 2018, 05:03:03 »
Looking great, Larry
28 Ford Model A Pickup
29 Chevy Phaeton
67 E Type FHC
67 250SL 5 speed
83 911SC
2015 VW T5 California Pop Top

dpreston Virginia

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, VA, Salem
  • Posts: 271
Re: My new soft top
« Reply #4 on: June 11, 2018, 14:36:05 »
Larry
Looks great.
On my car I have a 100% cotton bath towel rolled up long ways tied together with cotton strips. I then place it in the fold of the rear window when storing the top.
I also have two 12" by 20" thick plastic sheets that I place between the top and body near the folding mechanism for the top. the plastic keeps the canvas from being scuffed each time the top is lowered.
David
190SL 1960 Sold
280SL 1969
280SE 1969 cabriolet
Vette 67
Porsche 912 67

Jonny B

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, San Marcos
  • Posts: 4108
Re: My new soft top
« Reply #5 on: June 11, 2018, 15:13:11 »
I used a plastic milk jug. I cut off the bottom and top then cut the remaining piece so that the angle of the molded part would fit over the side of the car as the top was being folded into the well.

Very good idea to use the towel/microfiber/etc/ in the window as it is folded.
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

Jordan

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Canada, ON, Jordan
  • Posts: 1396
Re: My new soft top
« Reply #6 on: June 11, 2018, 22:25:14 »
Larry, very nice.  I like the colour combination.

I use a 5 or 6" pool noodle in the window when it is folded.  Cut to the correct length.
Marcus
66 230SL  Euro 4 speed

68_white

  • Full Member
  • Senior
  • ***
  • USA, TX, Houston
  • Posts: 154
Re: My new soft top
« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2018, 05:13:14 »
I would be greatfull if you can post photos of the towels, milk jug, pool noodle or anything else when folding the top.
HARRY

1970 280SL RED
2002 E430 SILVER
1996 911 BLUE

Delvis

  • Full Member
  • Regular
  • **
  • Canada, British Columbia, Delta
  • Posts: 81
Re: My new soft top
« Reply #8 on: June 13, 2018, 02:19:09 »
New top looks fantastic! Well worth the wait.
1970 280SL auto.
1989 560SL
1979 911 SC TARGA
1961 Dune Buggy
2015C63 507 Edition

neelyrc

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, AL, Birmingham
  • Posts: 1205
Re: My new soft top
« Reply #9 on: June 13, 2018, 07:26:52 »
I used a plastic milk jug. I cut off the bottom and top then cut the remaining piece so that the angle of the molded part would fit over the side of the car as the top was being folded into the well.
Here is a picture which represents what Jonny B is talking about.  Gernold Nisius demonstrated this at PUB Virginia last year.  This is in fact a plastic antifreeze bottle cut to suit.
Ralph

1969 280SL, 4 Speed Manual, Dark Olive (291H), Parchment Leather (256), Dark Green Soft Top (747)
1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
2007 BMW 328xi (E90)
Italy
2004 Toyota HiLux D4D Pickup
2008 BMW 330xd Futura Coupe' (E92)

Jonny B

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, San Marcos
  • Posts: 4108
Re: My new soft top
« Reply #10 on: June 13, 2018, 15:28:51 »
That's it!
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

ja17

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Blacklick
  • Posts: 7308
Re: My new soft top
« Reply #11 on: June 14, 2018, 05:23:39 »
Be aware that the two arms which support the soft top hatch "saw" against the soft top fabric when the hatch is closed. Damage occurs to the soft top fabric as time goes on. The surface of these arms become rough or abrasive over time and cause more damage in less time. Owners should feel the rubbing surface of the arms with their fingers. If it is rough, use some fine 800 grit sandpaper on the rubbing surface to smooth it out so it will not damage the fabric. Many tops on these cars have damage and rub spots in the fabric from this "sawing action" when the arms become rough.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

UJJ

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, CA, Grass Valley
  • Posts: 326
Re: My new soft top
« Reply #12 on: June 14, 2018, 21:30:59 »
Looks good Larry.
From your other anthracite (no metallic) brother.
Urban
Urban Janssen
Grass Valley, CA
1968 280 SL - 4speed manual
173 anthracite grey

Koolmarca

  • Guest
Re: My new soft top
« Reply #13 on: October 30, 2018, 21:49:10 »
Hi Larry!

I'm in Berkeley and will need to get my soft top replaced - can you give us the name and number of the guy who did your top?  I am hoping I can get my top replaced when I finally get my car back from an Engine rebuild, which is taking forever and I miss my baby!

Marca in Berkeley