How do I fix this hardtop scratch?

[KenSilver]

Take a look at the scratches in this photo. They were caused by the pins in the hard top scratching the surface.

They were done by prev. owner (as I have proper MB magnetic mats that cover and protect the area as I lower the top with my MB ceiling hoist).

What is this material, and how can I have it fixed? It looks like anodised aluminum, not paint. Do I need to buy another one, or can it be fixed? Any ideas?

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)

[Pete Geither]

Ken, No way to fix that , that I know of. It.s definately not a painted surface, so the only remedy is replacement, that I see. I'll bet they are a bit** to replace too. I'll check the cost and time to replace when I go into work later. Pete

[cbdo]

"Proper MB magnetic mats"? Please elucidate, Sir; is there a more elegant approach than the old towels I use on my 107?

[Pete Geither]

Ken, That part is right around $500 new, and around 1 hour to install.

[jjrodger]

Of point, but a part number on the magnetic mats would be most appreciated.

I don't think that part can be repaired. You could always remove it and have it painted, but the present finish is probably anodised, not paint.

[KenSilver]

Thanks for the price and information Pete. It's in line with what I expected. Do you work with Mercedes?

The magnetic mats are part of the MB manual hoist. They look just like the material that fridge signs are made of, so it shouldn't be too much trouble to find separately.

These are black on the bottom, white on top.

There are two, one for each back pin hole - or front I guess, depending on how you lower the top.

After you have lowered the pins into the body holes, the mats can be pulled out - the slit in the mat hole allows this to happen.

The way I have this one sitting protects the boot from damage, but of course they can be put at any angle.

Wish the previous owner had used them!

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)

[KenSilver]

Originally posted by cbdo
... is there a more elegant approach than the old towels I use on my 107?

I remember those days well... also used to put towels and an old eiderdown over the boot of my 107 to protect it and fortunately didn't have any accidents. Jeepers, that top is heavy isn't it!

Fortunately with the hoist I can position the 129 top very accurately, a mm at a time if I want.

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)

[Pete Geither]

Originally posted by KenSilver
[B]Thanks for the price and information Pete. It's in line with what I expected. Do you work with Mercedes?

Ken, We work with Mercedes, Chevy, Dodge, Ford, Subaru, etc, etc, etc,. This happens when you own an independent body shop. The price I got was from an old, 99, parts manual, so the price may differ a bit. By the way,,,, in your sig, you claim a black SL, but the picture you show is a blue one. You have, yikes, two?

[jjrodger]

Originally posted by PJG56
By the way,,,, in your sig, you claim a black SL, but the picture you show is a blue one. You have, yikes, two?

Isn't triple black called blue/black in Europe? It's a classic MB colour, unfortunately now replaced with green/black and almandine/black.

[KenSilver]

Originally posted by PJG56
...in your sig, you claim a black SL, but the picture you show is a blue one. You have, yikes, two?

I wish! Though with the SLK coming in a week or so I guess I can legitimately claim two SL's by stretching a point.

Yes, the picture did show a blue color, but some 'people who know' tell me the SL is a grey-black... but it is so close to black in normal viewing light that I've called it black. However it's not jet black - I would dearly like to have that color. Crisp, sharp, deeply reflective... ahhh, lovely.

I think the camera flash has accentuated the metallic flakes in the paint, making it look lighter.

As for the term 'triple black' I use it to mean black top, black body, black interior.

If there's another meaning more widely known, I'll concur to it.

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]

Originally posted by KenSilver
As for the term 'triple black' I use it to mean black top, black body, black interior.
[/B]

Ah, I hadn't figured that out. I expect your paint is blue/black, then. It looks like metallic black in all but a few lights, when the blue flake shows. It really is an all time classic MB colour. I once saw a Morgan on show and the owner proudly displayed a sign saying the colour was "Mercedes-Benx blue/black". Funny, it didn't look so hot on a Morgan.

[KenSilver]

Originally posted by jjrodger
...I expect your paint is blue/black, then...

I could nail the exact colour on the VIN if I could find it and interpret it.

Ken Silver.