SL/R129: Smooth out rear window?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12
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1998 SL500
Smooth out rear window?
I bought an SL500 that basically had the panorama top permanently bolted on, so the soft top was stowed for years in the folded position. As a result, it's wrinkled and distorts my view out the back.
Is there a way to smooth out the window? Can I iron it by having someone hold a towel-covered piece of plywood on the inside while I iron through a towel on the outside? Or will the heat damage the window?
Is there a way to smooth out the window? Can I iron it by having someone hold a towel-covered piece of plywood on the inside while I iron through a towel on the outside? Or will the heat damage the window?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 598
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From: Eastern Kansas
94 SL 600, 98 993, 89 XJS Conv., 85 Daimlier Princess 16 Hybrid Lincoln 16 Chevy crewcab
Warm air gun, was my equipment of choice. Time was the other element. ( days not hours )
IS the plastic still clear? has any of the edges "yellowed" or turned brownish?
I have replaced the back window material in several Benz SL's. I like the new, clean and flexible of the replaced material. Now, I never open the soft top in cold temps!!! That cracking sound is not music to my ears
IS the plastic still clear? has any of the edges "yellowed" or turned brownish?
I have replaced the back window material in several Benz SL's. I like the new, clean and flexible of the replaced material. Now, I never open the soft top in cold temps!!! That cracking sound is not music to my ears
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12
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1998 SL500
Thanks. It's been closed for about a month and is still a little wrinkly. The plastic is still clear with no yellowing but there is a little abraded damage in a small spot.
I live in California so I don't have any cold weather to open the soft top in.
I live in California so I don't have any cold weather to open the soft top in.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 598
Likes: 19
From: Eastern Kansas
94 SL 600, 98 993, 89 XJS Conv., 85 Daimlier Princess 16 Hybrid Lincoln 16 Chevy crewcab
Great! I am in Broken Overshoe, Kansas where men are men and weather is extreme!
With that rant over, it sounds like you are in great shape. I use a bath towel, ( rolled lengthwise ) as a filler in the center of the plastic window. My belief is that soft material between the folded plastic provides a space and soft buffer to limit the vibrations of the road from effecting the plastic.
Since you live in a great weather environment, in Kansas when we are surprised by rain the towel after the top is up can wipe off car and body parts.
With that rant over, it sounds like you are in great shape. I use a bath towel, ( rolled lengthwise ) as a filler in the center of the plastic window. My belief is that soft material between the folded plastic provides a space and soft buffer to limit the vibrations of the road from effecting the plastic.
Since you live in a great weather environment, in Kansas when we are surprised by rain the towel after the top is up can wipe off car and body parts.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12
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1998 SL500
Haha, I never get surprised by the rain here. It rains in December and January and during those months I have the top up, there's no chance of rain outside those months. I'll put the towel in the back like you recommend, and try a warm air gun on the window.
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 391
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From: So California
2000 SL500
If you live in California as I do then all you need to do is put the soft top in the up position and let the sun warm the windows. I would be very careful using any artificial heat to smooth out the windows. I just had new plastic windows put in by an upholstery shop and it still took a couple of days before everything smoothed out to about 95%. Because they are plastic they will never be 100% smooth.
Last edited by lynns; Nov 9, 2012 at 03:44 AM.
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