Removal of stains inside hard top liner?

[Michael D.....]

Has anyone had success in removing those yellowish stains from the inside of the headliner of the hard top.

I was told they are from the glue that was placed.

[awolff280sl]

What I did was spray a matching Leatherique vinyl paint. It covered the stains and refreshened the entire headliner. It has lasted well.

[w113dude]

They are rust stains that have come through from the steel hard top, if the stains are not too dark you can use bleach, wipe it off a few times, let it dry for a while then try again, for small patches this technique has worked for me.

[Kemal]

I used a little soapy water and it did the trick, however, I found that while rubbing the roof with a damp cloth ..... there were little dry bits coming through the perforations like dandruff or tiny snowflakes !!
Is that the sponge lining from 69 coming through?

Kemal
280SL
Manual LHD69

[w113dude]

Is that the sponge lining from 69 coming through?

Yes, that is a 40 year old sheet of sponge that is falling apart.

[Kemal]

Yes, that is a 40 year old sheet of sponge that is falling apart.

Thank you.
Do we need to replace it? If so, is it a major job?

Thanks again.

( Michael, please excuse the slight change of subject. )

Kemal
280SL
Manual LHD69

[J. Huber]

Hey Kemal. Mine also "snows" -- usually only when touched. I believe replacing the foam padding would mean a complete restoration of the hardtop -- something I am not willing to do (just now)... instead I just try not to bump the liner and sometimes do a quick dust of the interior if needed.

[w113dude]

Yes, in order for the sponge sheet to get changed the headliner has to come off and replaced, the back window needs to come off as well in order for the headliner to get glued to the side lips of the top. I would say it's a half a day job for the first timer but definitely a DIY er.

[Kemal]

Thank you, Gentlemen.

When I next remove it in the spring, I will give it a good rub on the grass to get out as much as possible, or maybe I will vacuum it gently!

Merry Christmas.

Kemal
280SL
Manual LHD69

[Witt]

What I did was spray a matching Leatherique vinyl paint. It covered the stains and refreshened the entire headliner. It has lasted well.

.....really like that idea and will try it next summer. Do you still have the specs on the type of paint you used? My data card shows the name of the original color was "bamboo light".
Thanks,

CHEERS !
WITT !

[awolff280sl]

I used their "off white", but they sell all colors and can custom match, but it would probably not be possible to send them a sample of the headliner.

[Witt]

I used their "off white", but they sell all colors and can custom match, but it would probably not be possible to send them a sample of the headliner.

....thanks' Alf, "off-white" is probably much better than what I have now....

CHEERS !
WITT !

[Atazman]

My sun visors were badly discolored.....the top of them was especially bad.  I took sand paper to the top to get some of the "brown" deposit off.  And then I sprayed the whole visor with Meltonian Nu-Life Color Spray for vinyl, plastic, and leather; Code is 649 Vanilla; no bar code, but bottom of 4.5 oz spray can says “08178 Vanilla” .  The cost of this 4.5 oz was $7.00 through a shoe repair shop.

The visors look very nice now, and the color is a close match to the underside of the hard top.  Have not done it yet though.

[DavidBrough]

I sprayed my headlining a couple of years ago and it still looks great, have a look here:-

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=7000.0

Mine had a lot of discolouration which was completely eradicated although the photograph looks much whiter than it actually is with the finish is a very original looking off white.

[jameshoward]

David,

I don't suppose you can remember the name of the product you used? If so, can you post it here. This job is on my list of things to do come Spring.

JH

[DavidBrough]

Hi James,

I purchased the vinyl paint from Woolies Trim at http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/p-1551-vinyl-paint.aspx

The code on my can is 402317 but if I remember rightly they knew what colour I needed when I told them what car it was for.