Left top down and it rained - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jjrodger · #1 06-04-2003, 02:47 PM

Well, it was looking beautiful and sunny when I pulled up outside Chambers at 4pm, so I left the top down. However during a meeting between 6pm and 7pm it bucketed down. I didn't notice and the interior of the car was soaked by the time I returned to it (puddles on all 4 seats, especially the rear). I immediately dried them down with a towel.

Is there anything special I should do?

Pete Geither · #2 06-04-2003, 03:49 PM

Cry!!!!

G-Benz · #3 06-04-2003, 04:58 PM

I believe MB wisely designed their convertibles to endure some occasional occurences of rain (save for the Noah's ark type of deluge). After all, that's not the first time an open top vehicle got soaked in a rainstorm!

So most interior electrics and harnesses are out of harms way so that an unexpected rainstorm won't cause problems.

If you have standing water however, I would be mostly concerned about the seat adjustment electricals, as they reside under the seats.

jjrodger · #4 06-04-2003, 05:41 PM

None of the dashboard was wet and the console switches (transmission, windows, seat heaters) were also sheltered. the front seats weren't too bad; and I removed all "standing" water as soon as I got to the car. This evening I cleaned the car and dried it very thoroughy, drying (inter alia) behind the roll bar, behind the rear seats and under the hood cover. I have also treated the seats with zymol leather cleaner. It seems OK. I too think it is probably designed to withstand idiots and rain. It won't happen again!

Pete Geither · #5 06-04-2003, 08:50 PM

By the way jjrodger, that is a beautiful picture you have with your signature.

cbdo · #6 06-04-2003, 09:28 PM

Don't know the 129 to speak of, but my 107 has carpet/pad assemblies that are easily removed but would indeed have to come out to be thoroughly dried if wet. You might check; 'twould also be a chance to dry off the floor pans if necessary.

RickM · #7 06-05-2003, 03:32 PM

Isn't there a sensor available to close the top when it rains? Maybe not on Mercedes...but I swear I've heard of it on a production car.

BTW, what color exterior and interior are on the 107 in the pic? I agree, a beautiful image.

jjrodger · #8 06-05-2003, 05:38 PM

The car has survived intact.

My friend's Swiss-registered 1981 500SL is in bordeaux red over tobacco leather. It is in good shape mechanically and cosmetically, although my view is the suspension and breaks need a bit of work. I found the handling pretty scary when I drove it on the French autoroute: I wouldn't venture over 80mph, although he took it way over 100 with alarming regularity!

Here are a few more pics of the 107; I've posted them before, but if you're interested...

cbdo · #9 06-05-2003, 05:54 PM

For RickM--Eons ago there was a technique for building a small open switch unit to activate the top system by a relay; it actually used an aspirin tablet to separate two contacts which came together when rainwater caused the tablet to dissolve. It was the subject of an article in either Popular Mechanics or Mechanics Illustrated, sometime in the late 50's or early 60's. Obviously, it only worked for power tops.
There may have been something more elegant developed since, but I'm not aware of it.

RickM · #10 06-06-2003, 10:00 AM

JJ,

Thanks for the color info. I have a "Light Ivory" exterior with the Tobacco interior. I was fooling with the idea of a changing the exterior color and dark red is what I came up with. Actually Brokade Red came to mind as I had a 77 Porsche in this color and it was gorgeous. BTW, is the soft top brown or black?

Craig, I like the aspirin idea...lol. I'll research this a bit more. I believe it was a totally electronic solution.

Regards,

jjrodger · #11 06-06-2003, 10:19 AM

My friend's soft top is black, but brown might look better. I'd stick with Ivory White, it looks great, really, really classy. Thoroughbred and Classic Cars did a feature on a 1971 350SL manual which was in Ivory White, some of the pics are great. I've just got a scanner, I'll scan them in and post them: you won't be thinking of a re-spray!

RickM · #12 06-06-2003, 11:44 AM

Ok, Rain sensor activated convertible tops are on production cars now. Seem to be most popular on the BMWs.

Other rain sensor activated items include sunroofs and wipers.

Would be an interesting project to put a kit together to retrofit older cars.

Below is a GM rain sensor (kit) part number. Price isn't too bad...the beginning of an experiment?

http://www.glasslinks.com/tips/newtips/gmrainsensor1.htm

This place apparently installs an "auto close" system....
http://www.aaaconvertible.com/convertibles.html