Storing the Folding TOP assistance

[StevenF]

I just purchased a new soft top for my 280sl.  It has been up for 3 weeks ( the shop said to keep it up to stretch)
I want to to put it down, but I want to protect the new window from scratching.
I have heard of placing a a microfiber towel over the window--
1-inside window?
2-outside window?
3-how do you get it to stay on?

Any other suggestions?  What is the "noodle" thing?

Best Regards
Steven

[66andBlue]

Steven,
this a "noodle" my wife designed. Mircotowel with three pockets for air-filled pocket cushion that is used in shipping.
It is placed inside the fold when you pull up the rear bow before locking it.

[zoegrlh]

I put a swimming pool noodle rapped in towel across the back window fold just make sure you cut the noodle the length of the window, then fold down into the boot.
Bob

[Pawel66]

I took about 10cm diameter hot water pipe insulation with felt glued around it. You may also look for clues here on pieces of foil/plastic used on both sides of the soft top compartment to protect edges of the soft top and seals on the sides.

[neelyrc]

At PUB one of the technical sessions concerned the pagoda soft top.  Gernold Nisius, pagoda restorer and soft-top guru of SL Tech, provided another tip.

On each side of the car, place a piece of thin, semi rigid plastic cut from an anti-freeze or similar container over the body work at the extreme forward end of the top stowage cavity.  Soft tops  tend to frey first at this corner area from scraping on the body work when folding down.  Once the top is tucked in, stow the two pieces of plastic in the cavity for future use.  See demonstration picture below.

[Cees Klumper]

That last tip from Ralph is for me the best one. The window on my soft top doesn't scratch and I have never protected it in the 18 years I've had the car (I think it may be the original soft top). What I have done halfway through that period is polish the plastic with the Meguiar's plastic polish. There's two products I used, one a bit finer than the other, and that brought the plastic back to like-new condition. Haven't had to do it since. But the corners are a bit frayed and I do take care to guide these edges into the boot when I put the top down. Same with the rear corners, that I fold underneath the frame so that they lay flat when the top is up, rather then curl upwards.

[cfm65@me.com]

Hi Steven,
Another little tip which you might not be aware of.
It will take some time for your soft top to settle into it's new job. When you put the top up for the first time, you might find that it will not fit. Miraculously, shrunken about two sizes too small.
Don't fret, it is quite normal. Lift out the top and push the assembly as far forward as possible. Do not lower the rear section, yet.  Hook up the front locks without locking them down and carefully close the horse shoe cover, taking care not to damage the soft top rubbers with the horse shoe front ends. Gently unfold the rear section and let it just hang for a while to allow the 'cold' plastic window to warm up a bit before hooking up the rear centre lock.
Leave it standing in the sun for a little longer before locking down the front locks.
Sometimes the lower rear corners of the soft top (above the 'hips' of your SL), might flare or curl up. Gently press, massage and fold them down every time this happens and hopefully, they will develop a 'memory' and stay down after some time.
Regards
Chris

[Pawel66]

Aha, also: please remember that the rear soft top lock is adjustable! Lots of blood, sweat and tears can be saved if you keep it in mind.

[Harry]

I didn't realize the soft top pawel was adjustable?  My top latches but requires a strong effort.  I usually latch the rear then stand on the door jambs and pull the front latches into position.

How is the adjustment done?

[Pawel66]

It is the rear lock that is adjustable - you can move it up and down when you unscrew the 4 screws that are holding it to the soft top compartment back wall. The holes for those screws in the lock casing are oblong to allow adjustment.

[UJJ]

I also put a towel in the bottom of the compartment in order to protect the inside of the window.
Urban

[Pawel66]

Urban, this is one I have not thought about and it sounds like a very good idea...

[Jonny B]

Another soft top recommendation came up during PUB Virginia. Joe Alexander was going through his list of items for those folks that have recently acquired a Pagoda. I listened in to see if there was a tip or two I had forgotten (which of course there was). Joe noted that the top cap hinges, the funky curved ones that the lid of the soft top case is fitted to can have rough edges. He suggested checking these, carefully, with your hand and then using a fine grit sand paper or abrasive pad to smooth these out. Over time this presents a wear area for the top as the top is closed and these hinges ride along the back side of the canvas top.

The edge of the hinge toward the outside of the body is the one that rubs against the canvas.