R129 plastic window replacement (Oregon)

[tonimus]

Can anyone recommend a shop in/around Portland (Oregon) for replacing my soft-top windows? I'm pretty sure they are vintage 1992 plastic, and they are naaaasty!

Thanks in advance,

- Tony

[tecqboy]

Sir, I don't know anything about the Portland area; I'm in Milwaukee Wis. But, I can tell you that you may be better served if you replace the entire convertible top. I've been there. It's all a matter of labor costs. If you can find someone to just remove and replace the yellowed plastic, it will probably cost just as much as a new top because they will take the entire top off anyhow. You'd think that they could do it with the top in place, but no. When you purchase an entire new top, it will arrive "factory" assembled and ready to install. That saves a lot of time. So, a new top can be ordered from many suppliers for between $450 and $750 depending on material type and color. There are some choices here between original Mercedes "canvas" and American sonodeck. Any convertible top shop should be able to get what you need or search the web. You can search this forum for aditional info. too. Good Luck. Tod

[LeaUK]

Tod

Are your windows *really* bad? Are they damaged, split or just yellow and scratched a little?

If they're just scratched and yellow why not try some plastic cleaner first. I use Hindsight and have been 100% happy with the result.

Just a thought..

Lea

[tecqboy]

Leroy:

My windows actually cracked and split; the two smaller ones on the sides. They weren't noticably yellowed until you compared them to new ones. It was a shame to have to replace the entire top, because the canvas was still in pretty good condition. The rear window had, of course, the usual horizontal wear pattern which I did buff out somewhat with mirror glaze. But in the end, I'm happy with a entire new "rag".

[mySL]

I'm in the Washington, DC area and I just had my rear windows replaced in my 1996 SL600. I can tell you that it is cheaper to replace the windows. The 2 top guys I went to to compare prices said that replacing the top with original MB canvas would be around $1600 installed. To just replace the 3 windows, it was $650 installed. They did a good job and I can't really notice the new switching.

My old windows were opaque yellow, so I couldn't really see. I tried the Plexus cleaner that was recommend on this site and it did not work.

[da_vinci_1]

Originally posted by tonimus
Can anyone recommend a shop in/around Portland (Oregon) for replacing my soft-top windows? I'm pretty sure they are vintage 1992 plastic, and they are naaaasty!

Thanks in advance,

- Tony

I'm in this same area, my driver's rear window was slashed and I checked into just replacing the small windows. Everyone i've talked to said to replace the rear section of the top. Reason is if the plasic windows were replaced it would not be watertight and will leak. Nobody shop will garantee waterleaks after replacing just the plastic windows. Its a mercedes and I would not want waterleaks in the rear especially around electronics and battery back there. I've ordered a complete german canvas top off of ebay seller for under $400. I do plan to install it myself, it's a lot of work but It'll be a learning experience.