Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Mercedes-Benz SL Discussion Forum

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-10-2003, 03:25 AM
KenSilver's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 421
SL500 soft top wrinkle removal

Hi all,

I'm finding out more about my week-old 1993 SL500 as the hours tick on, most of it good!

After I lifted the hardtop yesterday for the first time since the pre-purchase inspection, I was ready to explore the soft top.

My verdict - Automatic up & down = 30 secs of extreme happiness!

As I was inspecting the soft top, I noticed a largish wrinkly section both sides just forward of the small quarter lights just below the diagonal elastised seam. Bout the size of a saucer.

I got out our household iron and wafted hot steam over the area for a while without actually touching the surface. The wrinkles seemed to lessen, but I'm not sure.

How can I get them to disappear or reduce? They aren't on a stretched part of the top, so I doubt leaving the top up will ease them out.

Any ideas?

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening black/grey on black leather, due in the shop in 13 hours for facelift painting lower body.
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey on grey leather, best in country! (But unused since SL500 arrived)
~1991 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG on tan leather, wife's (and my polishing)
~1992 Honda US s/wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-10-2003, 09:17 AM
LOWMILE's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Chicago Il.
Posts: 101
Downy fabric softener

I have read on this site that Downy fabric softener mixed in a five gallon pail in the same amount that you would wash your fine washable's. does wonder's. I have tried it and it work's! Smell's good too! I have also used the Meguirs window cleaner and polish to put the sparkle back in the plastic window's that also worked for me! Good Luck!
Attached Thumbnails
SL500 soft top wrinkle removal-alldone.jpg  
__________________
I love low mileage cars!
1972 350SL 23,000 miles
.......Sold...........
Now 1969 280SL
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-10-2003, 03:47 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: roslyn, LI,NY
Posts: 445
plastic window wrinkles

A day or so in the sun wil usually soften and remove wrinkles without any further assistance! Note that everytime you fold soft top wrinkles will appear, and usualy go away (by themselves) when left in warm weather. AbeG PS soft top has to be in up position.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-10-2003, 09:40 PM
KenSilver's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 421
Lowmile and Abe - thanks! If fabric softener doesn't work, I'll leave it out in the sun. Or vice versa.

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening black/grey on black leather, now in the shop for facelift painting lower body.
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey on grey leather, best in country! (unused since SL500 arrived but now in service)
~1991 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG on tan leather, wife's (and my polishing)
~1992 Honda US s/wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-11-2003, 12:22 AM
slsmag's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chagrin Falls, OH
Posts: 77
you're not going to belive this,
but there is actually a product called "Wrinkle Free".



It works the same way that fabric softeners do - it 'relaxes' the fiber allowing the fabric to return to
it's unwrinkled state. It was brought to market (about 15 years ago) by Alan Rypinski - the same guy
who founded "Armor-All". He swore it would replace the iron & ironing board. It didn't - but the stuff
does work (on natural fiber fabrics - like cotton, canvas). You can usually find it in travel and luggage
stores - and specialty catalogs - like Magellan's

- michael
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-11-2003, 03:25 AM
KenSilver's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 421
Hey, that's interesting Michael.

Wonder if it works on tough German soft top fabric, or only on cotton shirts?

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening black/grey on black leather, now in the shop for facelift painting lower body.
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey on grey leather, best in country!
~1991 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG on tan leather, wife's - (and my polishing)
~1992 Honda US s/wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-11-2003, 12:17 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Northern California
Posts: 16
Soft-Top Wrinkles

WOW--I need to trot out and get this product to try out. Another question on a related issue. Does anyone have any ideas how to get the creases out of the soft-top plastic window? A couple of these have proven to be quite stubborn and are still there after a couple of days with the top being up. Thanks for any assistance.

Sel Louis
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-11-2003, 12:20 PM
slsmag's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chagrin Falls, OH
Posts: 77
Wonder if it works on tough German soft top fabric, or only on cotton shirts?

Oh, I imagine it's a lot like alcohol in humans - it's efficacy will be related to body weight. In theory it will work on heavy fabrics... you just have to apply more.

In reality, I doubt there are many obssesive/compulsive folks out their removing wrinkles from their army tents. LOL!

- michael
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-11-2003, 08:26 PM
KenSilver's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 421
Quote:
Originally posted by slsmag
Wonder if it works on tough German soft top fabric, or only on cotton shirts?

In reality, I doubt there are many obssesive/compulsive folks out their removing wrinkles from their army tents. LOL!

- michael
Hey - there's a business opportunity!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-12-2003, 12:04 AM
LOWMILE's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Chicago Il.
Posts: 101
Check other strings

If you do a search you will see Downey works. As your top get's older it get's brittle. The canvas wrinkles at the folds and it will tear if you are up and down with a brittle top. I do not reccomend heat other than sun (no irons) There is a rubber membrane under the canvas and excessive heat will delaminate it. However Downey fabric softener will make it smell nice fold nice resist water better (it beads more so than any thing else i have tried) It will not stain or discolor. Trust me I have tried it and it WORKS PERIOD.

__________________
I love low mileage cars!
1972 350SL 23,000 miles
.......Sold...........
Now 1969 280SL
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:06 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page