headliner replacement 280SL

[Richard Chesnick]

Does replacing the headliner on a 1969 Mercedes 280SL require removal of the windows?  And what type of padding is required for replacement?   

[lreppond]

It’s a somewhat complicated job replacing the headliner. The side windows require removal, seals, wood trim, padding, etc.  it’s certainly doable but from what I’ve been told, tedious.  If you go this route I’d check out using sounding deadening material rather than foam. Not sure it’s possible but perhaps others can comment. 

Another option is painting the liner.  Here’s a link to what Pinder did with his car.  His results are certainly impressive.   

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=35663.0

[dirkbalter]

Does replacing the headliner on a 1969 Mercedes 280SL require removal of the windows?  And what type of padding is required for replacement?

Replacing the headliner is not a quick and easy task. All the windows and most of the chrome as well as handles ….has to come of. The foam due to its age is brittle and falling apart but easy to get and replace. I believe its 8 and 5mm in thickness which you can get in multiple places. Personally, unless you are planning to restore the hardtop, I would try to save and clean what you have. If you search the forum, look for the hardtop restauration posts and guides, these will explain the liner change as well.

BTW, welcome to the group.

[Pawel66]

You have the procedure here: https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Tops/HardTop

Once you are there, look for rust areas to take care of them and apply rust protection overall. Also: search the forum typing "hard top" or "hard top restoration" (with parenthesis). if you search for "hard top restoration", you will also see some hits.

I am enclosing what I used as a guide doing mine.