Soft-top brushup tip - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

KenSilver · #1 09-22-2003, 08:31 PM

Quite by accident I discovered the best way to bring my R129 black soft top back to pristine condition after washing.

It gets a lot of small hairs and particles from goodness-knows-where, and I've been using a lint brush without much success. This would take some of the hair off, but really only was effective in aligning the rest of the hair in the direction I was brushing.

Then I thought I'd use the lint roller we use for our clothes, and to my surprise it was just like magic - every hair came off and left the fabric lint-free, like brand new.

Obviously the top would have to be in new condition first because the roller doesn't rejuvenate the color. But for a clean surface it works wonders.

I also tried it on the door jambs - the felt area that the window sits against, and again it worked a treat.

These lint rollers are very cheap at about US$3, and has about 9ft of disposable sticky roller with each section about 4" wide and 5" long. That's enough to do the top about 20 times at least. I'm buying one just for my MB detailing.

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening blue-black on black leather, xenons, no headlight wipers (from choice).
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey on grey leather, best in country!
~1991 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG on tan leather, wife's (but my polishing)
~1992 Honda US s/wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)

Bruce Hat · #2 09-22-2003, 09:23 PM

Hi Ken, That is a great idea, I just tried it. WOW - works great.
BTW, I just purchased a really nice 1998 E320 (couldn't resist). Attached is a picture. I'll tell you, this is a great car. I traded in my 1996 Maxima. The "E" series is one nice handling and performing car.

KenSilver · #3 09-23-2003, 04:14 AM

Nice car Bruce! In case you didn't know, the lint roller won't work on that roof at all

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening blue-black on black leather, xenons, no headlight wipers (from choice).
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey on grey leather, best in country!
~1991 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG on tan leather, wife's (but my polishing)
~1992 Honda US s/wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)

Bruce Hat · #4 09-23-2003, 09:40 AM

Ken, LOL. I use a California Duster for the top on the E320. But the lint roller idea does work great on the SL300.

Gregy · #5 09-23-2003, 12:20 PM

Yes works great... and to rejuvenate the color of the top I did found this:
buy shoe boot-polish in the same color as your roof, buy it in liquid spray and waterproofing. This works great.

Spray the waterproofing, colored liquid polish on the softtop. But do avoid the plastic screens and other surfaces: the polish color marks into the peinture !! Do not applic (too) much, otherwise the color will penetrate the softtop and will make colored marks at the inside of your ceiling.
Now rub gently the top with a soft cloth to spread out evenly over the whole top.
It's done.

Like new...and waterproof.

Let me know.

KenSilver · #6 09-23-2003, 05:21 PM

Hi Gregory,

Nice roof you have there, and the SL too. My roof won't need rejuvenating for a few years, but I'm interested in your process.

Do you put the waterproofing on first?

And do you have no streaking or colour runs with this product at all? How long does it last?

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening blue-black on black leather, xenons, no headlight wipers (from choice). Hardtop off for summer.
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey on grey leather, best in country!
~1991 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG on tan leather, wife's (but my polishing)
~1992 Honda US s/wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)

Gregy · #7 09-23-2003, 05:28 PM

You can find shoe polish that has color pigments, but that also waterproofs your shoe, all in one (used to clean velours shoes). It costs 1 euro, this is aprox. 4 dollars....joking.
You can buy it in almost every shoe-shop.

Gregy · #8 09-23-2003, 05:41 PM

....and no, no strikes, spots or whatever. Works great.
I ve done it 6 months ago and it still lasts, also the color remains as new.
It also exists colorless, without color pigments.

KenSilver · #9 09-23-2003, 06:25 PM

Thanks Gregory, I now understand the waterproofing and colour is one product.

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening blue-black on black leather, xenons, no headlight wipers (from choice).
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey on grey leather, best in country!
~1991 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG on tan leather, wife's (but my polishing)
~1992 Honda US s/wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)

KenSilver · #10 02-17-2004, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gregy
....I ve done it 6 months ago and it still lasts, also the color remains as new.

Gregory,

Now that you've had it on for a year since you last posted, how is it standing up to the weather? Does your top still look good, or does it need more on it?

I want to get the new look back to my roof - there's some shiny spots where it rubs against the compartment too. Will your shoe polish trick cover that too?

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons: http://www.kensilver.com/SL
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey / grey leather, best in country!
~1992 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG / tan leather, wife's (soon to be replaced with a silver SLK)
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)

jjrodger · #11 02-18-2004, 04:27 AM

You can use parcel tape for the same purpose. Simply roll of a strip of tape, stick on the roof (or interior carpet, or whatever), then tear it off. It picks up any and all particles on any fabric surface. A roll of parcel tape costs pennies.

maheath · #12 02-20-2004, 03:59 PM

Or just make a circle of tape that fits around your hand and roll it across the top. That's a modified tip that I picked up while in the Navy.

DavidSoine · #13 02-22-2004, 10:22 PM

Well this thread has to be the tip of the week! Thanks for posting it.

I used the lint roller yesterday and it worked great! Of course after getting the car cleaned up I lowered the top and took the kids to Sonic drive-in for a burger...we had a great weekend here in KC.

best,

Dave
87 560SL