A silly idea

[BenzChas]

I just bought a 2007 SLK280. One thing I don't like about the hardtop is that when it is up, the car looks like a coupe. Convertibles with a soft top still look like a convertible when the top is up. I will never do this but I had an idea. Cover the roof with a vinyl top. I think the contrast in colours would look better. The car looks a little boring as a coupe of all one color.

 

[sausage]

https://www.slkworld.com/attachments/img_9875-jpg.165713/

Hey Chas, as crazy as it sounded, I think it actually looks OK in the link above. It would certainly make it stand out.

 

[BenzChas]

https://www.slkworld.com/attachments/img_9875-jpg.165713/

Hey Chas, as crazy as it sounded, I think it actually looks OK in the link above. It would certainly make it stand out.

Yes. That is what I am talking about. I remember many years ago. A small used car dealer would do that. One of those tiny street corner lots. He would add a vinyl top and mark them up. No idea if he did sell them but I liked how they stood out. Some of them had a pattern to the vinyl. I liked how they looked.

 

[SmartAmg]

When i first read this post I thought god NO!
But after seeing the pic,
it actually looks OK.

 

[Blobcat]

Wellcome to the 70’s…

 

[sausage]

I still wear flares.

 

[sausage]

TBH Chas, this looks like a pretty easy job for the DIYer, I would not want to attempt a vinyl cover, but some of my friends have got very "creative" with vinyl when we go on tour together and it worked well.

My friends all had no issues removing the vinyl either> potential for damage to paint is one thing that has always put me off the idea - i.e. when the vinyl comes off - does it damage the paint? However, I have no idea if that is still a risk like it used to be in the early days.

For the small cost of vinyl wrap you could have a go with little risk or cost. After all it is just the A pillar, B pillar, roof, and if you have pano even less roof to do.

 

[Gazwould]

'Life on Mars'

 

[sausage]

As for patterned vinyl, have some restraint.

 

[JBell]

https://www.slkworld.com/attachments/img_9875-jpg.165713/

Hey Chas, as crazy as it sounded, I think it actually looks OK in the link above. It would certainly make it stand out.

That has had the top wrapped or painted, I like it

 

[00slk]

View attachment 76548

Wellcome to the 70’s…

Trust you Blobcat.........

 

[Peterbrake]

OP do you mean a vinyl wrap roof or a cloth vinyl roof as in 1970s, the former you would get the roof wrapped for £200/400 dunno about cloth vinyl I would guess about £1000 and not removable if you change your mind without damage to the roof. I have wrapped hundreds of vehicles over the years and if you use a professional there should be no damage to paintwork.

 

[SmartAmg]

Wouldn't go for a vinyl roof, but I would certainly consider a Wrap.

 

[sl500amgsport]

Funny it was the Coupe top up look that attracted me to the hard top convertible. Best of both worlds a convertible top down and a nice secure dry coupe in the winter.

In fact it is one of the reasons I am still holding onto my SL, the thought of a leaky drafty soft top that looks like it has a cheap plastic roof bolted on puts me off, I guess it is all subjective....



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[AndySlade]

I still wear flares.

And Cuban Heel boots with a zip?

 

[jp williams]

I just bought a 2007 SLK280. One thing I don't like about the hardtop is that when it is up, the car looks like a coupe. Convertibles with a soft top still look like a convertible when the top is up. I will never do this but I had an idea. Cover the roof with a vinyl top. I think the contrast in colours would look better. The car looks a little boring as a coupe of all one color.

Do make enquiries to determine if the additional layer on the roof will not impact the mechanism or sensors in any adverse way.

 

[LostKiwi]

Funny it was the Coupe top up look that attracted me to the hard top convertible. Best of both worlds a convertible top down and a nice secure dry coupe in the winter.

In fact it is one of the reasons I am still holding onto my SL, the thought of a leaky drafty soft top that looks like it has a cheap plastic roof bolted on puts me off, I guess it is all subjective....



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You need a 129.
Best of all worlds.

Funnily enough the canvas roof doesn't leak, unlike the hardtop.

 

[sl500amgsport]

You need a 129.
Best of all worlds.

Funnily enough the canvas roof doesn't leak, unlike the hardtop.

No happy with the R231, no leaks at all or wind noise up to triple figures, us tbe roof rigidity helps handling.

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[A.J.]

Unfortunately that is exactly what an SLK is, a Coupe Convertible

 

[BenzChas]

OP do you mean a vinyl wrap roof or a cloth vinyl roof as in 1970s, the former you would get the roof wrapped for £200/400 dunno about cloth vinyl I would guess about £1000 and not removable if you change your mind without damage to the roof. I have wrapped hundreds of vehicles over the years and if you use a professional there should be no damage to paintwork.

I was thinking of the permanent version. I have heard of wraps but was not thinking of that. A wrap sounds better. If it will work. Could even get some crazy ones like Sausage showed. But just for the top. I have no idea how removable they are. This is a 15 year old car and will not go up in value. I bought it as a "toy" and if i muck it up. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Yes, the hard top is better than a soft top. Does not need to be replaced periodically and is quieter.