Hard top during Winter

[Kenneth Gear]

I am considering putting on the hardtop for the next 5 moths to get me through winter storage.  I have a nice soft top and am worried about stowing it for that length of time.  DOes anyone else stow thier softtop for long periods with or without creaqting issues with it?

Ken G
1971 280 SL
Silver/red

[BHap]

I use my hardtop for storage - I make sure the soft top is folded smoothly and put a towel underneath it in the well and another inside of the window fold to keep the plastic from scratching....  storing with the soft top up is probably optimal for the canvas - but I like the security (read - rodent barrier) that the hard top provides...

Bob Happe
Pittsburgh, Pa
1970 280SL, white/black 4 speed

[Ben]

The owners manual suggest that the softop be removed when storing for long periods !

I would consider 5 months to be a "long period". Best to remove it by taking the entire frame out. Just mark it where it bolts down and take note of the placement of any shims fitted.

It should probably be stored fully errected !

BTW I have never done this so perhaps someone more experienced could chime in !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.

[Douglas]

One of the issues I have with putting the top down is that it creates little "dents" in the rear window from the folding. When they're new, the window is nice and flat and clear. Unfortunately, it just comes with the territory.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[hauser]

I don"t recall who told me this but they said that when these cars were relatively new the dealer would store the tops for the customer.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[ted280sl]

I have never had a problem with leaving my soft top stored for "long periods" of time. I put my hard top on when it gets cold and I do not remove it until Spring. The softop does not seem to suffer at all being folded into the storage compartment.
Ted 1969 280SL

[Jonny B]

Yes, I have heard that some dealers would store the tops (when I was in Louisville Ky they would do that).

I just plain do not want to mess around with the hard top. For winter storage, I leave the soft top in place, covered with a good cover, and wait for the spring.

I did the same thing with my 107, I would echo Douglas's experience with the window, but judging from the other comments, this may have been a function of the way the top is folded, stowed, etc.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[Cees Klumper]

quote:Originally posted by ted280sl

I have never had a problem with leaving my soft top stored for "long periods" of time. I put my hard top on when it gets cold and I do not remove it until Spring. The softop does not seem to suffer at all being folded into the storage compartment.
Ted 1969 280SL

Ditto here, my modus operendi for the past 5 years. I have some Meguiar's product to keep the window crystal clear and that's about it.

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[bayleif]

As I only like to drive my car on nice sunny days, my soft top rarely sees the light of day. I guess I should put it up when I park the car in the garage, but I don't. However, I do take Bob Geco's suggestion and put a towel over the rear window before folding the top. The towel ends up folded inside the fold of the window. This keeps the window from scratching itself. After 3 years, my soft top looks as good as the day I bought it.

Chuck Bartlett
1969 Signal Red 4 Speed