Author Topic: Hard top restoration  (Read 2398 times)

silentpsmith

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Hard top restoration
« on: October 24, 2020, 18:13:21 »
Can anyone point me towards a good source of info or a youtube video for restoring a hardtop? I have all the bits but need to be able to put them together..

Pawel66

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Re: Hard top restoration
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2020, 18:30:01 »
I would have thought the best source of knowledge on hard top restoration is our Technical Manual and this forum.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

mdsalemi

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Re: Hard top restoration
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2020, 17:41:37 »
I would have thought the best source of knowledge on hard top restoration is our Technical Manual and this forum.

Technically, yes--but the definitive guide on hard top restoration is Gernold Nisius's article that appeared many years ago, but is available in our tech manual...

...for FULL members, not associates.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid

StevenF

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Re: Hard top restoration
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2020, 23:54:04 »
Another good source is the video https://blackforestllc.com/classic_gallery.html
1971 280sl
Red Metallic
Bamboo MB Tex

dirkbalter

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Re: Hard top restoration
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2020, 01:54:24 »
There is a very good Hard Top restauration guide on the German W113 side. As a member you can download the PDF.
Its in German but lots of pictures.
PM me if interested.
Dirk
66 230 SL
70 280 SEL
53 CHEVY 3100
18 C300 COUPE
05 HD FLSTNI

Tomnistuff

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Re: Hard top restoration
« Reply #5 on: November 25, 2020, 18:43:04 »
Hello All,
I have three questions related to some of the above posts.

Firstly to StevenF:  Something appears to have changed in the Black Forest llc. site.  http://Https://blackforestllc.com/classic_gallery.html takes me to the Black Forest llc. site but I can't find the hardtop restoration video.

Secondly to dirkbalter:  Can you provide a little more information about the "German W113 site"?  Is that Pagodentreff?  If so, I will translate the site using translate.google.com and then download the PDF files (2).  If it's not Pagodentreff, can you provide a little more information for me to find the "German W113" site?

Thirdly to everyone who has restored a hardtop.  Is the putty to be spread really thin so as to only fill the cracks between the body and the chrome trim but thin enough to let the chrome trim fully seat against the body metal?  I'm afraid to put so much putty that nothing will fit after it's assembled. 

Thanks for any help with detailed techniques that you can provide

Tom Kizer
Apparently late 1966 230SL 4-spd manual (Italian Version)
Owned since 1987 and wrapping up a full rotisserie restoration/modernization.
Was: Papyrus White 717G with Turquoise MBtex 112 and Kinderseat
Is: Dark Blue 332G with Dark Blue Leather (5300, I think)

dirkbalter

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Re: Hard top restoration
« Reply #6 on: November 25, 2020, 19:20:53 »
« Last Edit: November 25, 2020, 20:17:26 by dirkbalter »
Dirk
66 230 SL
70 280 SEL
53 CHEVY 3100
18 C300 COUPE
05 HD FLSTNI

doitwright

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Re: Hard top restoration
« Reply #7 on: November 25, 2020, 20:20:42 »
Firstly to StevenF:  Something appears to have changed in the Black Forest llc. site.  http://Https://blackforestllc.com/classic_gallery.html takes me to the Black Forest llc. site but I can't find the hardtop restoration video.

BlackForestLLC.com has several photo galleries pertaining to restorations of W113 and other Mercedes. However, if you do not have the antiquated “Flash” plugin on your PC (Flash not available for Mac’s) you will not be able to find these galleries. Their galleries include details on hardtop, soft top frame, injection pump, rear axle and other W113 related projects. My understanding is that Flash will no longer be available after Jan 1, 2021.
Frank Koronkiewicz
Willowbrook, Illinois

1970 280SL Originally Light Ivory - Now Anthracite Gray Metallic