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Sagging interior roof upholstery

Old Feb 14, 2016 | 04:02 AM
  #1  
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Sagging interior roof upholstery

Hi

My parents' old C180 now has a sagging roof. Does anyone know if it'd be a big job to have it refitted? Could any garage be able to do it? Here's some photos:







Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks
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Old Feb 14, 2016 | 03:07 PM
  #2  
Russell Ormerod's Avatar
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Take it to trim shop. Roof lining will need to be removed that means all A B and C panels must be stripped front seats removed. New from MB they are pretty pricey I think.
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Old Feb 15, 2016 | 01:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Russell Ormerod
Take it to trim shop. Roof lining will need to be removed that means all A B and C panels must be stripped front seats removed. New from MB they are pretty pricey I think.
Right. But could a spray be used without ripping down the lining?
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Old Feb 17, 2016 | 09:11 PM
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On the site there is a complete photo step by step procedure to fixing it.
It is a common problem, and you need a couple of people to assist. Replacement OEM fabric is not available. Re gluing it is VERY delicate
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Old Feb 18, 2016 | 06:43 AM
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OP. Is that fabric or vinyl? The US cars were fitted with foam backed vinyl. It is available but without the foam backing. You don't give your location but that interior was not available in the US (look at the door panels). If the headliner is fabric the original foam backed fabric is available. Go to www.headlinerexpress.com for info on your options.
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Old Feb 18, 2016 | 10:02 AM
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Great lead...I sent them a message as I need about a yard to redo my front pillar posts.
I searched the web for hours trying to find the fabric, and nothing came up. Your info is now in my "where to get it" file
Much appreciated
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Old Feb 21, 2016 | 08:25 PM
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2007 C230, 1995 C280
Headliner replacement

I took my '95 c280 to an upholstery shop and for $400 it looks like new(color, fabric, fit and finish etc. As you know it can done at home but mistakes are hard to undo so you might consider a pro job.
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Old Feb 24, 2016 | 05:19 AM
  #8  
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We had our entire roof liner (with sunroof!) done at a small shop for about $80 as I remember just a couple of years ago. I didn't expect much but they did an absolutely perfect job. Color and feel of the liner seems just like the original. No errors that I could see. I was truly amazed. Still looks brand new. My girlfriend actually found the place. If you live near Los Angeles I can tell you where. If not near LA, just shop around and call as many places as you can. Those people that do this all the time will probably do a much better job than you could do yourself on the first try, and they'll do it in just a few hours (but it'll take you days). It is a pretty big job.

I tried spraying an appropriate 3M adhesive under the sagging liner to glue it back up without removing it, but that was a total failure. The problem is that the foam layer on the back of the fabric has disintegrated over time and can never be re-glued. Then I did extensive research on buying the fabric and doing it myself and just decided it was PITA hassle (and I do essentially all of the mechanical work on our cars -- benz and bmw). We also checked the price of a "car upholstery" shop, and they gave us a high price (I think it was in the $400-$500 range). My GF found this small shop and just let them do it (although I was warning her not to), and, as I said, the results are just fantastic.

Last edited by benzgs; Feb 24, 2016 at 05:36 AM.
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Old May 10, 2016 | 08:24 PM
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benzes where is this shop located and what type of material was installed for that price?
If it isn't too much to ask, do you have pictures?
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Old May 12, 2016 | 08:22 AM
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W202_00, I will get that info to you. I happened to ask her about it a few weeks ago and the price may have been about $180 instead of $80 (I remembered part of the number anyway ), but as I said before, the results are simply perfect. It looks like a factory job. As far as I can tell, the material seems exactly like the high quality, soft-feeling foam-padded fabric material that came with the car (light tan color in our case). There are no bubbles, no folds or creases, completely smooth (even around the curves and corners of the sun roof opening), no imperfections anywhere. I must say that I never go overboard with descriptions. I'm a scientist and am trained to be super critical of data. I was expecting a real amateur job, but they really did do a fantastic job. Maybe I can take pictures too and learn how to post them, but if I can't get to it (demanding job and kids), I stake my reputation on it that they performed outstanding workmanship.

I'll ask her the name/location of the shop and the price and will reply soon (may take a few days -- we have a busy life). (I assume it is okay to recommend commercial entities here.) BTW, neither I nor my GF have any connection with the shop doing this whatsoever. My GF was just a regular off the street first-time customer.

Last edited by benzgs; May 12, 2016 at 08:25 AM.
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Old May 12, 2016 | 11:38 AM
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As I am in the loop following this post, I am really interest in a name and phone number of the shop. I don't have a sagging roof problem, but I need about a yard of the same fabric and color you got replaced. My front windshield pillar posts need to be recovered, as I was cleaning them, and I guess age created the foam backing to disintegrate a bit, an now it looks wrinkled. I really annoys me to look at them.
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Old May 22, 2016 | 05:54 PM
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99 C230K
I finally have time to get the info to you all. Here it is:

Julio Auto Upholstery
5001 N. Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90042
323-340-4095

It's just off of the 110 FWY, in or near Highland Park.

Out of curiosity, I just checked yelp and they appear to have very high ratings.

When asked very recently, my GF thought the price (from several years ago) was about $120, but she wasn't sure. I do remember, however, at the time of installation that it was an extremely reasonable price and lower than all the other quotes she got. My phone doesn't take pictures currently, but I may try to get a picture of ours and upload it. It still looks and feels perfect, in my very critical opinion. She did say that if you call them and tell them what you need, they will give you a quote over the phone (at least they did when she called years ago -- they probably still do).

Last edited by benzgs; May 22, 2016 at 05:58 PM.
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Old May 22, 2016 | 09:04 PM
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Thank you, I appreciate the info.
I am a looooong way from California, but all I need is a piece of the fabric.
We shall see if they can help.
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Old May 24, 2016 | 04:03 PM
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For those of you following the post. I called Julio Auto Upholstery, and they were super nice people. They don't stock the material, but they gave me the supplier.
It is Veterans Co, and located in LA. I called them and talked to the customer service rep, and the boss Jaime. Their web site shows the colors available, but they couldn't do a cross reference to be sure it was a proper match. They were nice enough to mail me a sample, which I am waiting for, and the minimum order is 1 yard. It has taken a long time to get to this point, as I have been searching, buy this. Thanks to Benzgs and his referral to Julio's, I may have found a source! I suggested he may want to be a sponsor on the site, so this can help a lot of people.
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Old May 26, 2016 | 04:41 AM
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That's great, ptcruiser. Glad that things seem to be working out for you! Hope it helps others down the line too.
Good that you mention the fabric supplier. That'll help some people also.
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Old May 30, 2016 | 05:44 PM
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Thanks benzgs! I appreciate your time and information.
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