This post is in two parts. PART 1 - is if you want to use Home Depot or Hardware Store sound deadener. Part 2 - if you want to use real sound deadener. Both parts if your unsure which you'd like to use. But jump to whichever part is applicable - if you've already made up your mind.
So I wrote this post on a VW forum a few years ago. This is the first post in the thread. And covers everything you ever wanted to know about sound deadening.
The chart is especially helpful. But keep in mind. I updated this thread as I gained more knowledge. I started wanting to use Home Depot Peal & Seal (See PART1.). But I ended up going with Second Skin Audio and EZ Cool (See PART 2.).
So the PART 1 starts off with me praising Home Depot sound deadener. And then changing my mind in PART 2. And praising real materials like Second Skin (Or Noice on Amazon.). But it's still valuable information. As you may decide Home Depot sound deadener or any number of other real sound deadeners is right for you.
Sound Deadening 101:
So here's the long version of my journey:
Some say that the asphalt based ones are bad for you. Like Peal & Seal. Others say they have used it with great results and no fear of off gassing or it melting and oozing out all over the place. Some say not to use any sound deadener on the inside of the roof. As normal heat will make it melt and stain your headliner.
Even Dynamat will do this according to various posts I read. Some have used Quick Roof. Like in the video below. While others have recently posted that the "new" version of it sucks. And that the adhesive is not good.
After lengthy reading I was steering towards Quick Roof. But if the adhesive now sucks. I'm not so sure I would.
I was concerned about the off gassing of asphalt based ones. But am looking for the best - cheap - alternative to Dynamat. Which you'll see is WAY overpriced. I'm not building a show car. Or one to compete in sound system contests. Just a daily driver that I would love to be as quiet as possible. Without spending a ton of money that could be better spent someplace else on the vehicle.
But again, the many topics on here sway between "asphalt is going to kill you" to "asphalt based products like Peal & Seal are the cats meow!".
What currently is being used and recommended? Brand name? Place to purchase? Prices? How much did you use - single layer? Dual layer? Is there anything as cheap as Quick Roof that is not asphalt based? Is Quick Roof asphalt based? How are cheaper products like Quick Roof holding up? Now that you've had it installed for some period of time?
(This is a link to a very good YT video on Home Depot sound deadener.)
If you don't want to read any further. I'm going with Second Skin Damplifier Pro, EZ Cool, and carpet. But please check out Noico on Amazon. It's come up since I wrote this. And may be a better contender than Second Skin. I'll let you be the judge. I don't speak about it in this how to as it wasn't out when I wrote this. Here's one link to it on Amazon. There are many different versions for sale there though. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00URUIKAK/?tag=wranglerorg-20
*********************************************************************************************************************
PART 1:
Home Depot Sound Deadener (What I planned to do first. For those guys on a tight budget. Not a hot climate. And want to use the cheaper hardware store stuff.):
Having researched the hell out of this issue. And read the many comments in here and all the other threads on Samba and throughout the internet. I'm definitely leaning towards one layer of (asphalt based roof repair tape) Frost King/Quick Roof/Peel & Seal - whichever is thickest at the time I buy at my local HD or Lowes.
(I steered away from Dynamat and it's many derivatives. As it was just to expensive. And far to many other people have had success with the cheap asphalt based products at your local big box hardware store. I've read some complaints. Never seen one pic where the asphalt based stuff ruined a car. But many many pictures where it worked perfectly. And reports back years later that it was still working fine.
There just isn't enough hard evidence against this stuff for me not to save the money and use it. Asphalt based stuff will be in the sub $100 range. Whereas Dynamat is in the several hundreds of dollars range.
There are fears of the asphalt off gassing bad things into your car. But my philosophy is we've been driving around with tar boards (asphalt) affixed to the floors and door panels of our rides for years. And driving around in cities filled with petrol burning engines spewing out god knows what into our lungs. I don't think this stuff - covered in other materials - will add that much to what we are already subjecting ourselves to.
But if money is not an issue. Take a good look at the butyl based products. As they don't have those issues. Just my two cents.)
So after a layer of Frost King or Quick Roof or Peel & Seal I plan to put down a layer of EZ Cool. Here's everything you ever wanted to know about EZ Cool (go back to it's homepage for even more info and ordering - there's a faq and customer testimonials. This guy also has over 3000 good marks on ebay from satisfied customers. It's used throughout the auto restoration world) - http://www.lobucrod.com/Sr Project Report1.htm That link takes you to an indepth study of EZ Cool. But EZ Cool is now http://www.carinsulation.com/ So read the info at the first link. And order it at the second.
EZ Cool is a "foam" bubble pack material covered in foil. That cuts 98% of heat transfer and a large DB loss in sound coming through. And it's fire retardant. Or sufficiently enough. Relectix does the same thing for heat retardation. But not so much for sound retardation. As it's just a "plastic" bubble wrap material - not foam - covered in aluminum. So I chose the EZ cool. It's $145 for 200sq ft. Which is overkill. That would do a bug twice over. Meaning two layers. But I do intend to double layer it over the engine compartment (on the inside) and in the doors and rear quarters. Maybe even triple inside the rear quarters. In place of a free floating plastic encased pillow of insulation.
Then headliner and carpet throughout. I think this gives you the best of all worlds. With heat reduction and sound reduction on every part of the vehicle.
I am convinced I will be fine using the Lowes/HD stuff on my roof. IF I PREPARE the surfaces correctly. You can't just rip out the insulation and whatever else is stuck to your floor, walls and roof. And expect it to stay. Your surfaces need to be cleaned and prepped with acetone or some other cleaner. To make it fully ready to adhere to.
I'm also covering it with EZ Cool. So perhaps that will even better insure it against running or dripping onto my headliner. If your fearful you could get just enough butyl based product to do the roof. And then do the rest in the cheaper Lowes/HD stuff.
I hope this helps someone else in the same situation here as I am. Trying to decide how to insulate their vehicle prior to doing a new interior. Do your own research. Butyl vs asphalt based sound deadeners is where you want to start. There's alot of information out there. But I think after reading all of it. You'll come to similar conclusions.
**************************************************************************************************************************
PART 2:
Real Sound Deadener Materials (And why I changed my mind about Home Depots brands):
Here's my conclusion. So you don't have to read the entire thread. Although there is some great info throughout:
So I went to my local Lowes and Home Depot today. To look at various products i.e. - Useal and Peal & Seal (I could not find Quick Roof. Except Quick Roof Ultra Bond.).
And I have to say I was not impressed.
None of them seemed to be even a millimeter thick. Very paper thin aluminum. And very paper thin asphalt. One was even bleeding black asphalt liquid inside the wrapping. Just sitting on the shelf. Or from during storage or shipment. None of them seemed like they would provide very much sound deadening at all. I guess I was expecting more.
I'm spending at least $1500 on a new interior to go over this stuff. And I just don't see myself using it. Maybe they stopped making the good stuff? I don't know. All I know, is that I wouldn't put any of the material I saw today on my vehicle. I'll bite the bullet and spend the extra $225 (Probably closer to $150 if you used Noico.) and put real sound deadening material down.
I was looking at $150 worth of one of them and a bunch of aluminum tape to cover leaky seams. I can get real sound deadener for $375 (112 sq. ft.) shipped to me. That's a difference of only $225. I think I'm going to spend the money. And not worry about whether I'm going to get black gunk all over my shiny new white interior. (Again Noico is even cheaper. Which brings the distance between hardware brand and real sound deadener much closer.)
There's always that old saying that comes creeping back in - "buy once, cry once". And after seeing what I saw today. I definitely felt like I would be crying one day soon. (Again check out Noico on Amazon. PRobably a better deal than all of these. But I have not compared Noico's stats to the chart below. And you don't need nearly this much material for a Jeep. So ignore those numbers above. I think someone stated that you could do your Jeep with about $150 worth of Noico.)
But I wasn't going to let this get me down. Following this turn of events. I went back to the drawing board. And started researching real sound deadeners. And I found this very helpful chart. Basically the thicker the material. The more sound deadening:
My choice is the Raamat BXT II. As it's the thickest with the cheapest price. Sort of a sweet spot. I couldn't find Audio Technix 60. Or I might have sprung for that stuff. It's a wee bit thicker. But I couldn't find it locally. Or even anyplace on line that sells it. And frankly I like the light shade of grey that the Raamat comes in. As if it does leak. It won't be as bad as black.
So does Quick Roof and Peal & Seal work? I think it does. For some folks. And I wouldn't be afraid to put it on in a northern climate. But I live in Socal. And I have a black car. Yes. A "black" car. It absorbs heat. And for all the trouble it takes to clean the interior of your car. And to put in a new interior. I just don't see this as a place to cut corners.
I'm going with Raamat, EZ Cool, carpet. And call it a day.
UPDATE - There's a black friday sale on all Second Skin products. So I'm going with Second Skin Damplifier Pro. 80 sq ft for $270. And it's rated higher than Raamat. Still sticking with the EZ Cool and carpet though.
CONCLUSION:
If you've read this far. You deserve a medal. lol. I tried to edit it as best I could. This was a long research project. That started with Home Depot brands and ended with real sound deadener like Second Skin or Noico from Amazon. I would not hesitate to use Noico today. But I have about 40lbs of Second Skin sitting in my garage from my VW project that never happened. And another large amount of EZ Cool. The carpet padding is not necessary in a Jeep. Unless you want some extra padding under your feet.
So to recap I would use Noico or Second Skin, then a layer of EZ Cool or http://www.carinsulation.com/ Same stuff. The EZ Cool goes down on top of your sound deadener with 3M adhesive spray. Then your carpet.
Prices above are WAY more than you need to spend for a Jeep. As all you really want to cover is the tub, firewall and doors. And/or the roof of your hard top if you have one. I have not done my Jeep yet. So I don't know how much it takes. I'm guessing somewhere in the 50 sq ft region. But I could be off on that.
You don't have to use the EZ Cool either. If your not concerned about insulation. Then just do the sound deadener of your choice. But it will help keep the cool or heat in and cool or heat out. Just like any other insulation. Depending on the season. And how much heat your engine, transmission or muffler put off against the tub.
You can also double up on this stuff. MEaning two layers. And Second Skin has a product called "B" grade. It's basically just roll ends and cut pieces. That's much cheaper. But again Check out Noico. I've read very good stuff about it.
The bottom line is guys have been pleased with the sound deadening of both. To what degree real sound deadener deadens vs how much hardware brand stuff does is hard to say. But I am convinced that the thicker real sound deadener in the 80mil range is the stuff you want. It's not that much more than the hardware stuff. And why take the risk of the hardware stuff offgasing or sliding off. Or generally making a mess of things. Remember - once this goes on it's not coming off.
So I wrote this post on a VW forum a few years ago. This is the first post in the thread. And covers everything you ever wanted to know about sound deadening.
The chart is especially helpful. But keep in mind. I updated this thread as I gained more knowledge. I started wanting to use Home Depot Peal & Seal (See PART1.). But I ended up going with Second Skin Audio and EZ Cool (See PART 2.).
So the PART 1 starts off with me praising Home Depot sound deadener. And then changing my mind in PART 2. And praising real materials like Second Skin (Or Noice on Amazon.). But it's still valuable information. As you may decide Home Depot sound deadener or any number of other real sound deadeners is right for you.
Sound Deadening 101:
So here's the long version of my journey:
Some say that the asphalt based ones are bad for you. Like Peal & Seal. Others say they have used it with great results and no fear of off gassing or it melting and oozing out all over the place. Some say not to use any sound deadener on the inside of the roof. As normal heat will make it melt and stain your headliner.
Even Dynamat will do this according to various posts I read. Some have used Quick Roof. Like in the video below. While others have recently posted that the "new" version of it sucks. And that the adhesive is not good.
After lengthy reading I was steering towards Quick Roof. But if the adhesive now sucks. I'm not so sure I would.
I was concerned about the off gassing of asphalt based ones. But am looking for the best - cheap - alternative to Dynamat. Which you'll see is WAY overpriced. I'm not building a show car. Or one to compete in sound system contests. Just a daily driver that I would love to be as quiet as possible. Without spending a ton of money that could be better spent someplace else on the vehicle.
But again, the many topics on here sway between "asphalt is going to kill you" to "asphalt based products like Peal & Seal are the cats meow!".
What currently is being used and recommended? Brand name? Place to purchase? Prices? How much did you use - single layer? Dual layer? Is there anything as cheap as Quick Roof that is not asphalt based? Is Quick Roof asphalt based? How are cheaper products like Quick Roof holding up? Now that you've had it installed for some period of time?
(This is a link to a very good YT video on Home Depot sound deadener.)
If you don't want to read any further. I'm going with Second Skin Damplifier Pro, EZ Cool, and carpet. But please check out Noico on Amazon. It's come up since I wrote this. And may be a better contender than Second Skin. I'll let you be the judge. I don't speak about it in this how to as it wasn't out when I wrote this. Here's one link to it on Amazon. There are many different versions for sale there though. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00URUIKAK/?tag=wranglerorg-20
*********************************************************************************************************************
PART 1:
Home Depot Sound Deadener (What I planned to do first. For those guys on a tight budget. Not a hot climate. And want to use the cheaper hardware store stuff.):
Having researched the hell out of this issue. And read the many comments in here and all the other threads on Samba and throughout the internet. I'm definitely leaning towards one layer of (asphalt based roof repair tape) Frost King/Quick Roof/Peel & Seal - whichever is thickest at the time I buy at my local HD or Lowes.
(I steered away from Dynamat and it's many derivatives. As it was just to expensive. And far to many other people have had success with the cheap asphalt based products at your local big box hardware store. I've read some complaints. Never seen one pic where the asphalt based stuff ruined a car. But many many pictures where it worked perfectly. And reports back years later that it was still working fine.
There just isn't enough hard evidence against this stuff for me not to save the money and use it. Asphalt based stuff will be in the sub $100 range. Whereas Dynamat is in the several hundreds of dollars range.
There are fears of the asphalt off gassing bad things into your car. But my philosophy is we've been driving around with tar boards (asphalt) affixed to the floors and door panels of our rides for years. And driving around in cities filled with petrol burning engines spewing out god knows what into our lungs. I don't think this stuff - covered in other materials - will add that much to what we are already subjecting ourselves to.
But if money is not an issue. Take a good look at the butyl based products. As they don't have those issues. Just my two cents.)
So after a layer of Frost King or Quick Roof or Peel & Seal I plan to put down a layer of EZ Cool. Here's everything you ever wanted to know about EZ Cool (go back to it's homepage for even more info and ordering - there's a faq and customer testimonials. This guy also has over 3000 good marks on ebay from satisfied customers. It's used throughout the auto restoration world) - http://www.lobucrod.com/Sr Project Report1.htm That link takes you to an indepth study of EZ Cool. But EZ Cool is now http://www.carinsulation.com/ So read the info at the first link. And order it at the second.
EZ Cool is a "foam" bubble pack material covered in foil. That cuts 98% of heat transfer and a large DB loss in sound coming through. And it's fire retardant. Or sufficiently enough. Relectix does the same thing for heat retardation. But not so much for sound retardation. As it's just a "plastic" bubble wrap material - not foam - covered in aluminum. So I chose the EZ cool. It's $145 for 200sq ft. Which is overkill. That would do a bug twice over. Meaning two layers. But I do intend to double layer it over the engine compartment (on the inside) and in the doors and rear quarters. Maybe even triple inside the rear quarters. In place of a free floating plastic encased pillow of insulation.
Then headliner and carpet throughout. I think this gives you the best of all worlds. With heat reduction and sound reduction on every part of the vehicle.
I am convinced I will be fine using the Lowes/HD stuff on my roof. IF I PREPARE the surfaces correctly. You can't just rip out the insulation and whatever else is stuck to your floor, walls and roof. And expect it to stay. Your surfaces need to be cleaned and prepped with acetone or some other cleaner. To make it fully ready to adhere to.
I'm also covering it with EZ Cool. So perhaps that will even better insure it against running or dripping onto my headliner. If your fearful you could get just enough butyl based product to do the roof. And then do the rest in the cheaper Lowes/HD stuff.
I hope this helps someone else in the same situation here as I am. Trying to decide how to insulate their vehicle prior to doing a new interior. Do your own research. Butyl vs asphalt based sound deadeners is where you want to start. There's alot of information out there. But I think after reading all of it. You'll come to similar conclusions.
**************************************************************************************************************************
PART 2:
Real Sound Deadener Materials (And why I changed my mind about Home Depots brands):
Here's my conclusion. So you don't have to read the entire thread. Although there is some great info throughout:
So I went to my local Lowes and Home Depot today. To look at various products i.e. - Useal and Peal & Seal (I could not find Quick Roof. Except Quick Roof Ultra Bond.).
And I have to say I was not impressed.
None of them seemed to be even a millimeter thick. Very paper thin aluminum. And very paper thin asphalt. One was even bleeding black asphalt liquid inside the wrapping. Just sitting on the shelf. Or from during storage or shipment. None of them seemed like they would provide very much sound deadening at all. I guess I was expecting more.
I'm spending at least $1500 on a new interior to go over this stuff. And I just don't see myself using it. Maybe they stopped making the good stuff? I don't know. All I know, is that I wouldn't put any of the material I saw today on my vehicle. I'll bite the bullet and spend the extra $225 (Probably closer to $150 if you used Noico.) and put real sound deadening material down.
I was looking at $150 worth of one of them and a bunch of aluminum tape to cover leaky seams. I can get real sound deadener for $375 (112 sq. ft.) shipped to me. That's a difference of only $225. I think I'm going to spend the money. And not worry about whether I'm going to get black gunk all over my shiny new white interior. (Again Noico is even cheaper. Which brings the distance between hardware brand and real sound deadener much closer.)
There's always that old saying that comes creeping back in - "buy once, cry once". And after seeing what I saw today. I definitely felt like I would be crying one day soon. (Again check out Noico on Amazon. PRobably a better deal than all of these. But I have not compared Noico's stats to the chart below. And you don't need nearly this much material for a Jeep. So ignore those numbers above. I think someone stated that you could do your Jeep with about $150 worth of Noico.)
But I wasn't going to let this get me down. Following this turn of events. I went back to the drawing board. And started researching real sound deadeners. And I found this very helpful chart. Basically the thicker the material. The more sound deadening:
My choice is the Raamat BXT II. As it's the thickest with the cheapest price. Sort of a sweet spot. I couldn't find Audio Technix 60. Or I might have sprung for that stuff. It's a wee bit thicker. But I couldn't find it locally. Or even anyplace on line that sells it. And frankly I like the light shade of grey that the Raamat comes in. As if it does leak. It won't be as bad as black.
So does Quick Roof and Peal & Seal work? I think it does. For some folks. And I wouldn't be afraid to put it on in a northern climate. But I live in Socal. And I have a black car. Yes. A "black" car. It absorbs heat. And for all the trouble it takes to clean the interior of your car. And to put in a new interior. I just don't see this as a place to cut corners.
I'm going with Raamat, EZ Cool, carpet. And call it a day.
UPDATE - There's a black friday sale on all Second Skin products. So I'm going with Second Skin Damplifier Pro. 80 sq ft for $270. And it's rated higher than Raamat. Still sticking with the EZ Cool and carpet though.
CONCLUSION:
If you've read this far. You deserve a medal. lol. I tried to edit it as best I could. This was a long research project. That started with Home Depot brands and ended with real sound deadener like Second Skin or Noico from Amazon. I would not hesitate to use Noico today. But I have about 40lbs of Second Skin sitting in my garage from my VW project that never happened. And another large amount of EZ Cool. The carpet padding is not necessary in a Jeep. Unless you want some extra padding under your feet.
So to recap I would use Noico or Second Skin, then a layer of EZ Cool or http://www.carinsulation.com/ Same stuff. The EZ Cool goes down on top of your sound deadener with 3M adhesive spray. Then your carpet.
Prices above are WAY more than you need to spend for a Jeep. As all you really want to cover is the tub, firewall and doors. And/or the roof of your hard top if you have one. I have not done my Jeep yet. So I don't know how much it takes. I'm guessing somewhere in the 50 sq ft region. But I could be off on that.
You don't have to use the EZ Cool either. If your not concerned about insulation. Then just do the sound deadener of your choice. But it will help keep the cool or heat in and cool or heat out. Just like any other insulation. Depending on the season. And how much heat your engine, transmission or muffler put off against the tub.
You can also double up on this stuff. MEaning two layers. And Second Skin has a product called "B" grade. It's basically just roll ends and cut pieces. That's much cheaper. But again Check out Noico. I've read very good stuff about it.
The bottom line is guys have been pleased with the sound deadening of both. To what degree real sound deadener deadens vs how much hardware brand stuff does is hard to say. But I am convinced that the thicker real sound deadener in the 80mil range is the stuff you want. It's not that much more than the hardware stuff. And why take the risk of the hardware stuff offgasing or sliding off. Or generally making a mess of things. Remember - once this goes on it's not coming off.
