Author Topic: Found a hardtop!  (Read 2456 times)

Lorsar

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  • 1968 280SL (US)
Found a hardtop!
« on: September 11, 2022, 18:47:10 »
So I came across a hardtop on Facebook and the location was about 4 hours from me.  It's in pretty decent shape and usable without much work.  Just replaced the rubber and cleaned up the paint.  Owner said it had been sitting for probably 20 years.  I followed this website to restore the paint and it came out way better than expected

https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-to-articles/25304-secret-removing-oxidation-restoring-show-car-finish-antique-single-stage-paints.html
« Last Edit: September 11, 2022, 18:52:04 by Lorsar »
Lori
1968 280SL (US)

austinado16

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Re: Found a hardtop!
« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2022, 19:23:20 »
What a great score, and beautiful job polishing that original paint!  Well done!!

Jordan

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Re: Found a hardtop!
« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2022, 21:12:15 »
Now all you have to do is remove the wood trim and handles, tape off the headliner and spray it with a white vinyl paint and it will look brand new.  Looks great.
Marcus
66 230SL  Euro 4 speed

stickandrudderman

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Re: Found a hardtop!
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2022, 10:20:04 »
Now all you have to do is remove the wood trim and handles, tape off the headliner and spray it with a white vinyl paint and it will look brand new.  Looks great.
Headlinings are not white.

Jordan

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Re: Found a hardtop!
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2022, 01:47:21 »
Headlinings are not white.

Maybe not but for the 999 out of 1000 people that look at it, doesn't make a difference.  For the cost of 2 rattle cans and an hour of work you have a new looking headliner.  So what if it's not white. It's close enough for the cost of 2 rattle cans that 999 out of 1000 people won't notice.
« Last Edit: September 14, 2022, 01:55:03 by Jordan »
Marcus
66 230SL  Euro 4 speed

Pinder

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Re: Found a hardtop!
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2022, 02:56:49 »
SEM vinyl paint comes in several  colors. I think one of those will match close. Very good paint for vinyl.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.
1997 Corvette C5 Silver. automatic
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austinado16

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Re: Found a hardtop!
« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2022, 03:44:15 »
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« Last Edit: September 18, 2022, 23:21:59 by Todd »

AdelaidePagoda

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Re: Found a hardtop!
« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2022, 07:05:58 »
What colour are the headliners meant to be? Mine is a cream, either through years of sun and age, or that was its original colour? It does have a few marks and could do with a refresh.

To those that have attempted this, Please tell me more about the best way to restore the original headliner, stain, cleaner (what type), paint (what type) or other?
Dave
January 1964 230SL 4SPD Power Steering
050 050 Black Soft top, Red Leather interior
Italian delivered/ Germany/ Florida/ Boston/ Sydney/ Adelaide (5th owner)

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Vespa

austinado16

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Re: Found a hardtop!
« Reply #8 on: September 14, 2022, 19:42:14 »
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« Last Edit: September 18, 2022, 23:22:21 by Todd »

Jordan

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Re: Found a hardtop!
« Reply #9 on: September 14, 2022, 20:37:08 »
I think I did mine while it was on a stand.  I used a vinyl cleaner first to remove all the particulate matter that had collected on the surface over the previous 40+ years.  Then soap and water (wrung out, not dripping) and finally a damp cloth to remove any residue from the cleaner and soap.  Remove wood and hand grabs and tape everything else off.  This is the most time consuming because tape has to be tight to the edge.  I put maybe 5 light coats on.  You do not want the paint to run.  Once dry the vinyl remains pliable and looks brand new.
Marcus
66 230SL  Euro 4 speed

perry113

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Re: Found a hardtop!
« Reply #10 on: October 20, 2022, 23:01:51 »
Awesome find!
I would carefully clean it. The factory glue on the backside is normal to bleed through..
Be careful trying to dye as the original of it now will shine through with each cleaning.
Peter Perry
1970 911T Bahia Red
1972 911T Albert Blau
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1966 230SL Havana Brown 4 speed Barn Find
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rwmastel

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Re: Found a hardtop!
« Reply #11 on: October 21, 2022, 20:15:43 »
I followed this website to restore the paint and it came out way better than expected
Great job!  And a bonus, you now have proof of attending Emory College.   ;)
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
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