Simple Sound Deadening Choices

[Dex.e30]

Back to a clean slate.

I've read a few writeups about using sound deadening materials, but I don't want to get carried away with high cost materials and uber sound quality concerns; just somethng to help take some the edge off the road noise.

I'm looking for something simple and easy to install since I've got bare the floorboard available and I figure something is better than nothing. I'm thinking I'll might try the peel-and-seal stuff from Lowes/Home Depot. Hell, even a spray-in rubberized, liner type product.

Thoughts?

[ak96ss]

Rhino liner!

http://www.rhinolinings.com/

:D

[StereoInstaller1]

OK, so here is what I did before Dynamat came along.

I used 1/8" masonite, AKA Tempered Hardboard, cut precisely to shape. I glued it into place using urethane windshield adhesive. I then used duct tape over the entire surface.

This was the ENTIRE floor, and glued down on every high spot. I did it initially to make the floor flat. I hate the lumps and bumps of most GM floors.

All of this happened in a `95 Sunbird Turbo. The car was quieter by nearly 6db with the carpet still out compared to the noise level with the stock carpet. With the carpet back in place, it was nearly 10db quieter at 50Hz...a MASSIVE difference.

The car was totaled after about 10 months, so I do not know how it fared long term. It sure worked well soundwise, plus it flattened the floor very well.

Luke

[NomadE30]

i still would recommend dynamat from sonicelectronix.com it's back ordered but it's only like 10$ a square foot which is hella cheap

[StereoInstaller1]

Shit, I can do better than $10/sq.ft (can't I, Curt?), but it really doesn't do much for road noise.

Dynamat (and all other sound damping materials) basically stop metal from "ringing", and that is not what road noise is.

Another excellent alternative (which is what I am gonna do in mine) is called "The Insulator" and is basically a thin barrier made of some fibrous material, covered in either one side or both in an aluminumized foil. Does amazing things for sound, heat, cold, etc.

Not all that heavy, either.

Luke

[Dex.e30]

Going to go with the Peel & Seal from my local Lowes. Pic

Cheap [0.10/sqft], better than nothing, and after my recent carpet-on-top-of-carpet fiasco, I don’t want anything too thick that will prevent proper fitting of factory trim or bolt hole issues, but will have the ability to apply it more heavily in areas exactly where I want.

Here’s the review I mentioned earlier of several products.

[Dex.e30]

Started last night; pretty straightforward. I just wanted to get the big pieces in to begin with. I’ll go back and do the deail work last.

Like all the reviews stated, it’s very easy to cut with scissors, peel, and place. I used a wallpaper seam roller to help mash down a few spaces, but most surfaces I did last night weren’t flat.

It’s very sticky, and with even being careful trying to just barely hold onto it on the edges and wearing nitrile gloves, it took the fingertips off a few sets; no big deal; its easier to handle and press down with bare hands anyhow.

What you see there is ~1.5 rolls. I have plans to do the remaining floorboards, up to the firewall, the trunk [not sure about the trunk lid yet], and lastly the doors.

I need to see about getting the OEM cover for the passthrough, and place material over that as well.

[Dex.e30]

Finished most of the interior today; still need to do door panels and trunk area. What you see in total is ~3.5 rolls.

Link to all pics, so far.

[colombacho]

keep us posted on the resuts!

[Addissimo]

I've heard that you get massive tar smell from that shit in the summer...

I hope for your sake I heard wrong.

[Dex.e30]

It's been pretty warm the last few days, and since its asphalt-based, it of course had a scent of asphalt, but that's excepted, and its nowhere near problematic. As the temps continue to rise, I'll report back.

[ACHTUNG]

did it kill a lot of the road noise?

[Dex.e30]

Only driven it for a few minutes since isntall, with no carpet, and the diff and driveline sound was less noticeable.

[aaron325ix]

what have the final results been like? Sound? Smell? I'm thinking of doing it soon.

[TheEtaUnderdog]

http://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/

I have been on caraudio.com for about 2 years, and we all tend to use secondskin. Its cheaper and better than dynamat. But you choose, the link I provided has all the info you'd need.

EDIT:: not to say we ONLY use secondskin, its just a favorite of a lot of people