My 76 450sl has discolored headliner, most likely from a PO's cig smoke.
Has anyone found a way to remove the stains without wiping out the plastic headliner?
Terry

Well, it seems that nobody has solved this issue.
I have some ideas and will try them on some not so obvious spots.
I'll post the results---somebody else might be able to use some info.
Terry

Terry
Are you taliking about the headliner on the soft top or the hard top? A differnece exists. I made a mistake in trying to clean the headliner on the softtop. The covering on the rails that run across the top are fabric and tend to be susceptible to dry rot. Cleaning them makes them disintegrate. The hardtop is another story. Let me know and I'll try to help. Sorry you received little responsr to your question.

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1988 560SL
Black Pearl/Palamino

I had some success with the Mr. Clean eraser/sponge and some diluted degreaser (alkaline). No quick way out on this one from my perspective. I tried some foaming spray cleaners but they didn't seem to cut the stain too well.

Good luck

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83 300d - 390k

I'll assume you are talking about the Hardtop headliner?

I bought my car from a heavy smoker. I took the hardtop off sat it up and sprayed it with "Gresed Lightening" I mean really sprayed it! (Sometimes you have to just go for it)

I then rinsed it with wet towels until NO residue. It got rid of all the stain. Stuff rolled off totally soluble and has been great ever since.

Convertible top is a different story. Stains will not come out. The headliner of the convertible top will not clean up. Replacement was all I could do.

Good Luck!

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1988 560SL
Black Pearl/Palamino

Tom, sorry it took me so long to get back--to darn busy.you are right, I'm talking about the hardtop headliner. The above info that you posted is what I needed. I was thinking that some cleaners may be to harsh on the vinyl, but I guess not. I was fortunate that the car came with a brand new soft top and no stains of smell.
Thanks for the comeback
Terry

Mineral spirits .... aka paint thinner works.

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Jim

1992 500E
2007 CLK63
2003 Audi RS6
2001 Audi allroad

I don't have an SL, but on the sedan and wagon headliners, a 50/50 mix of dishwashing liquid and water on a brand new, rinsed out clean sponge got a few spots out of the headliner for me with no trouble.
I was very gentle with the sponge and applied in very light circles.
I had another water-only sponge standing by for the 'rinse'.

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85' 300D No inspection, No registration fees, Cheap insurance
"If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're going to see some serious %$&^."