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Hotheads Headliner / Sound Assassin Strips

B1Toad

B1Toad

TJ Enthusiast
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2023
Messages
972
Location
Arizona
I am installing my Hotheads and I did get the Sound Assassin strips with it but I am debating whether to install them or not. If the headliner fails with my black top in the Arizona sun I don't see too much of a problem removing the Velcro strips that hold it up with some Acetone but the sound strips are just like Dynamat and would be a biatch to remove. Did anyone try the sound strips and did they make much of a difference?
The good thing is I can go without them for now and if I decide to use them the headliner cam be pulled down off the Velcro any time.
 
I saw the Hotheads roof liner but question the glue being able to with stand the heat on a 120+ with a black roof.

I went with a Smitty built roof rack and a sheet of plywood to keep the Rubican cooler during the AZ summer.
 
JPHikr said:
I saw the Hotheads roof liner but question the glue being able to with stand the heat on a 120+ with a black roof.

I went with a Smitty built roof rack and a sheet of plywood to keep the Rubican cooler during the AZ summer.
Click to expand...

I'll let you know after this summer! For the TJ they use Velcro strips instead of 3M double sided tape like on the other models. A roof rack with a piece of sunshade might work too.
 
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Put the hotheads in wife’s JL with sound strips (black hardtop) has stayed in place fine no issues highly recommend product for noise and heat etc.
In Florida so has been through a couple of hot summers
 
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B1Toad said:
I know, I know, I just can't bring myself to do that to my nice, freshly painted black top.....yet. Will see how my first summer goes.
Click to expand...

I was going to get the hotheads, until I did that. I'm quite sure hotheads would be a huge improvement over just my white paint - but the white paint helped enough to were I haven't really felt the need for anything more. YMMV and all that.
 
Zorba said:
I was going to get the hotheads, until I did that. I'm quite sure hotheads would be a huge improvement over just my white paint - but the white paint helped enough to were I haven't really felt the need for anything more. YMMV and all that.
Click to expand...

I'm not so sure, white has a huge effect on heat reduction. We mostly stick with white vehicles for that reason. At least the TJ is not my daily driver.
 
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So, I put in the HotHeads with the sound assassin a couple months ago.
I put in the sound assassin and the velcro strips before the headliner, per manufacturers instructions. I left it there for a week before I installed the headliner itself.
First, the good news.The sound assassin strips o their own made a noticeable difference in the noise in the cabin. It was quite unbelievable.
Now the not so good. As with @JPHikr the glue on the velcro strips didn't tolerate even a mild temperature increase here in Massachusetts.
I ended up taking down the headliner and using contact cement (the 3M version) and all is well. Had a 90F day a couple weeks ago and it held up (literally!!).
That's been my experience so far.
Overall I'd recommend it.
 
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N757KF said:
So, I put in the HotHeads with the sound assassin a couple months ago.
I put in the sound assassin and the velcro strips before the headliner, per manufacturers instructions. I left it there for a week before I installed the headliner itself.
First, the good news.The sound assassin strips o their own made a noticeable difference in the noise in the cabin. It was quite unbelievable.
Now the not so good. As with @JPHikr the glue on the velcro strips didn't tolerate even a mild temperature increase here in Massachusetts.
I ended up taking down the headliner and using contact cement (the 3M version) and all is well. Had a 90F day a couple weeks ago and it held up (literally!!).
That's been my experience so far.
Overall I'd recommend it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that info. Did you put the contact cement between the Velcro and the hardtop?
 
I have issues with the headliner coming detached. The Velcro separates it appears due to the panel being flat and the roof curvature seems to separate the Velcro. I may pull the top and flip it over and use some type of glue (silicone) to hold it down. I just am worried about keeping it clean.
 
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Well with the reports of the failures I have decided to stick it on with the Velcro for now and see how long it holds. When it fails I won't be pissed because I'll be prepared and expecting it. Once that happens my plan is to remove the top and apply Dap Weldwood Landau Top and Trim Adhesive with a spray gun. I did some research and found it to be the best and what all the pros use. Some of the 3M products are good but I found out that most of them fail eventually, as do all of the aerosols. Dap also makes the product in an aerosol but it has the same problems as the other brands, so I'll use the bulk sprayable product. A gallon is near $100 and keeps for about a year, maybe when I'm ready there will be someone else near me that wants to do the same and we can split a gallon and do 2 Jeeps at once.
 
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All I have to add to this conversation is that I installed Hot Heads headliners in my Gladiator and did the top strips as well as the entire floor with the sound assassin sheets. It's been nice, can cruise down the highway at 75 mph on 37" MTs and don't have to raise your voice to have a conversation. Stays cool inside. Different beast, but can vouch for the quality of the product.

No problems so far, but my top is desert tan, not black.
 
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One thing to keep in mine with Velcro strips is they are plastic. The hard top gets REALLY hot with the summer sun beating on it, and the plastic will eventually fail, as in the hooks and loops will disintegrate and not be able to stick to each other.

I have had two sets of sound bar speakers fail due to the heat, two sets of Velcro strap grab handles came apart (the nylon webbing disintegrated), and the wire insulation in my CB mike cord disintegrated after a few years. I now keep the mike in the console until I am actually using the radio.

Arizona heat just kills plastic.
 
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