Inexpensive Sound Deadening

[Bob Bidonde]

Noise reduction is an important goal in my restoration of a 190A Victoria Coupe. However, automotive materials for this purpose are very expensive and excessively heavy. The following is a less expensive and lighter alternative that should make a significant reduction in road and running gear noise inside of the car..

To reduce the dynamic response of the body panels to road and running gear vibrations, and to dampen airborne sounds I have chosen two inexpensive materials to install before upholstering the car: (1) Roofing shingle; (2) HVAC duct insulation.

Roofing shingle has a significant mass (weight). Cut the shingle into 3" x 6" rectangles (dollar bill size), and stick one in the center of each body panel and door panel (interior side). To assure the rectangle sticks, clean the panel with lacquer thinner, and use a thick dab of construction adhesive such as Liquid Nails.

Once glued to a panel, the mass of the shingle adds to the mass of the panel, so it reduces the panels vibration response (drumming noise) to outside stimulus.

Frost King FV516 Duct Insulation by Thermnwell Products Company Inc is a product that thermally insulates and stops vibrations on HVAC ducts. It is available in the big box home goods stores such as Home Depot and Lowes. FV516 is a sandwich of foil and foam with an adhesive backing, and an R Value of 3. The stock size of one package of FV516 is 12" wide x 1/8" thick x 15' long, and it has a unit retail price of $18.77. Two packages will do my 190A, so three packages should do a Fordor.

Completely line the interior surface area of each body and door panel with the FV516 using dabs of construction adhesive in the corners to keep it in place.