Can I replace my soft top fabric myself?

[Jim Donati]

My 1970 280SL soft top is in good working condition, but the original fabric is showing considerable wear and tear.  I would like to replace the fabric with new, but do not know how easy they are to repalce.  I have found a few web sites that sell new fabric softops  ranging from $500 to $950. My two questions are:
1.)  where is a good source to find an authentic replacement?
2.)   How difficult of a project would it be if I elected to replace the fabric myself, or should I have it replaced profesionally?

Jim

[fmen3366]

Hi Jim,

A friend once told me, "If it's made by (wo)men, it can be fixed by (wo)men". I did mine a couple of years ago after a body repaint. I've only owned a convertible once before having the guts to recover the seats, replace the carpet and top for my 280SL. Fortunately for me, a friend who's done this before guided me through the installation.

You will find out that the new fabric needs to stretch and breath before installation. This can be very challenging when fitting top to the frame. Laying the fabric out under a hot sun would help tremendously.

I believe the technical manual has information on soft top replacement.

Good Luck. You can do it. Just be patient.

Andy

[seattle_Jerry]

I agree with the hot sun part. I haven't done an SL but on the MGB I did, I would have sworn the top didn't fit. Lots of stretching. An additional person might help too. Plan on being there awhile too.

[jameshoward]

Jim,

I've done it. Do a search on the site and you should find a lot of information about it. I put up a few posts.

It isn't that hard, but you'll need someone to help.

As for suppliers, I was very satisfied with www.cabrio.de They do a lot of hoods for other suppliers, so you may find you get one of their hoods anyway!

Happy to answer any questions if you get stuck. I'd suggest using the time you have your frame stripped to give it a good going over. Be prepared for some fun and games when it comes to aligning your windows and softtop frame after you've done the job. A new top will change the way the roof sits to a degree.

James

[J. Huber]

Hey Jim. Can't really argue with those who have done their own, since I never have. However, if you choose to have it installed -- I would check local auto upholstery shops and see if anyone has done these cars before. Also check some of the Independent German Repair shops for recommendations. Then insist on GAHH German Canvas. If they are good -- they will agree. Upholstery shops get a better price on GAHH tops -- than if you buy direct. The labor should be about 8 hrs. Installed it should run about 1200. Yes some expense but the finished product is very enjoyable.

PS I am originally from just down the road (SB) -- I know there are shops there that can do this.

[SteveK]

I bought the German canvas from Millers and installed it myself.  I followed the step by step procedure in the tech manual and it was excellent.   It took me around 3 hours to remove the old top, and all of the old glue, staples and tacks. (I have a wood bow)   Used lots of glue remover and plastic bags to protect the car.  It then took the better part of the weekend to install the top and get everything glued and screwed into place.   Overall I suspect I spent at least 12 hours on it.   Not a dificult project, just lots of careful measuring and glueing.  (measure twice, cut once!)   Besides the top you have to buy all of the seals and in my case the wire supports that put tention on the side of the top.   I could have had it done by a pro for $500 in Houston (me supplying the material), but I bought the car to work on it so that did not work for me.  The Miller top fit was perfect.

[Jim Donati]

Thank you for all your suggestions and input.  I have selected a well respected classic car upholster in my areas who has experience in replacing Mercedes (and others) softops. 
We ordered the original German canvas replacement from Germany (I will have to confirm supplier name) and it has finally arrived.

I am nervous the color is original, but he says it should be.  I will have it installed this week.  I will update once the job is done.

Jim

[forrestjordan]

Hey Donati,
How did it go with replacing the softtop?  You haven't posted pictures yet.     What up?
Forrest

[Jim Donati]

Forrest:

Since you asked, I thought I would share pictures of my new softtop.  The quality of the product and the installation are great, but I am not sure I got the color that best compliments the vehicle.    

The original softtop was more of a medium brown and the new sottop has a russet (reddish) color to it.   :'(  Unfortunately I did not snap any pictures of the old softtop before it was removed.

I have included pictures with the top down to compare with the top up views. You can see from the pictures with the top town that my car colors are more the the champagne and browns.  

We replaced all the seals and rubbers when we redid the softtop so what I have is much better that the old torn and tattered one.  I am just not sure I like the new color.  

What is everyones opinion of the new softtop?   I am trying to get used to it, but I am not sure it is working.

Jim

[Dash808]

I think you're thinking too much.   

The combo looks great.  Good match.  Normally when someone points out an "imperfection", then you say "Oh yeah I see that now". But I don't see it.  It looks great in the humongously oversized pictures 

[Peter van Es]

I think your softtop looks fine too... but it would have been nicer if you had resized your pictures to 800x600 or 640x480 before uploading. You would not have had to reduce the image quality at all then to stay within the 250K.

Have a look here for help: http://www.sl113.org/FAQ/items/FAQ-Images.html

Peter

[Jim Donati]

Ok, any better?  I resized and reposted as you requested.

thanks
Jim

[Peter van Es]

Excellent... thanks!

Peter

[forrestjordan]

Jim,
I think I know how you feel about the color.  MB spends alot of $ on design and that includes the color combos.  As long as you have that car with the new top on it, you will second guess yourself about what you picked.  Asking yourself if what you picked is as good as what the original designers picked.  "It is all in the eye of the beholder" as they say.  It is alot easier to pick which one you like better when you have two or more to look at, at the same time.  When they are solo, it is what it is.

Your car looks great with the new top color.     You did a great job on the install and it shows.  If you are like most of us, it is a weekender and hardly ever put the top up outside of the garage anyway. 

I just replaced the top on my '01 CLK and the color of the new top, although original MB fabric color, is way different than the original 8 year old faded top.  I was amazed at how different it was.  The Florida sun does a real number on the fabric.
Forrest   

[Largeowner]

Hello Donati,

Sorry to revive this old thread but I think your new soft top looks great!  In fact I would love to know who supplied it and the color code.

Thanks,

Large

[IXLR8]

I agree.

Looks great.

I'm going to be doing mine, and I hope it comes out half as nice as yours.


Joe

[Bernd]

Doing my softtop as we speak. Taking lots of pictures and taking notes too. Look at James Howard's thread and his link to his flickr page. He has documented the process very well./

[Jim Donati]

Large:
unfortunately, I allowed my upholsterer to order the new softtop material, so I an uncertain where or what he purchased.  I told me it was German canvas for my make and model.  He tried to match the color to the old faded fabric on the top we removed.

If I am still unhappy with the color after the car gets back from the paint shop in another month, I will be replacing the top with brown on Tan German canvas from GAHH color code 107.   

I have been told that this is the proper replacement for my original dark brown softtop fabric listed on the data card as  #746

[Largeowner]

Ok, thanks for the reply.

Large