Date:         Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:31:57 -0500
Reply-To:     Jarrett Kupcinski <kupcinski@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jarrett Kupcinski <kupcinski@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Question about sound-deadening alternatives
In-Reply-To:  <CAFnDXk1wuCarp7kKYOynN=bzdzYYVJixR16j+TCEAn7Nhf4bpQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252

Jim,

I'd first recommend a quick trip to http://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/ . It's pretty informative and agrees with most of my own anecdotal experience with regards to sound proofing my '89 camper and my previous '73 camper. He also sells his own sound deadener products which are much cheaper than some of the brand name varieties. I have used some of his stuff on my van, and can vouch for the quality and service.

The point of the peel and stick stuff is to reduce the vibrations of the sheet metal, basically to keep it from behaving like the head of a drum or top of an acoustic guitar. It doesn't take a lot of material to eliminate the "gong" effect of the metal, and the material doesn't need to be super thick. Most auto acoustic products for the purpose are from 1-2mm thick.

Some people advocate getting the cheapest material they can find (usually at the hardware store) and covering every interior surface with the stuff. Those flush with cash get the expensive stuff and do the same. I did this on my '73 with a mix of "real" auto acoustical tiles and cheap stuff, and I don't think there's much point to covering everything. First of all, to dampen the metal vibrations you don't need to cover the entire panel. Secondly, if you ever need to access/inspect the body for repair, you're going to have to pull it all up, which is impossible. Don't think moisture can get between an asphalt tile and the body? Think again.

The second step in soundproofing a car comes from creating a sound barrier, and I've seen people use everything from closed cell foam carpet padding to fiberglass insulation. I used carpet padding on my '73 and it arguably made more of a difference than all the adhesive sound tiles I added! This is the step that really makes a difference in reducing the road noise. 

In a vanagon I'd pay particular attention to the floor, seat pedestals, and engine firewall. If you've got the interior paneling off or cabinets out, you can get at the walls pretty easily too. The roof is a PITA, no two ways about it.

Good luck and keep us posted.

-Jarrett
89 Westy




On Apr 29, 2012, at 5:51 PM, Jim Felder wrote:

> Alternative for lack of a better word—meaning an alternative to the
> expensive products made for the purpose, that I have to order and
> can't get more of if I run out.
> 
> Over the years I have heard people refer to a peel and stick
> asphalt-based product they got at the home stores. I was poking around
> today and found various sizes of rolls of peel and stick flashing. I
> was not impressed with how thin it was.
> 
> Is this what people are using? Is there another product I should be
> looking for? Is it just not worth it, and I should be ordering the
> real deal?
> 
> Those with opinions, please share.
> 
> Jim