How to properly soundproof a car with your own hands? Required Materials and Tips

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41

Even in a new car, the enjoyment of driving can be spoiled by the constant noise coming from tires, other cars, wind, etc. A lot of extraneous sounds gradually begin to annoy even people with a very stable nervous system. To save yourself from annoying noise, you need to do a lot of work on installing soundproofing. Where to make a car soundproofing, and is it possible to do the work yourself? Let's try to figure it out.

Noise isolation in the car

Over time, with constant driving on Russian off-road, plastic and metal elements of the frame begin to loosen and create unpleasant noise, knocking, grinding. The vibrations created by movement cause all poorly reinforced parts to move and make noise, creating a variety of noise. This brings a lot of discomfort. Some drivers may get migraines fromconstant noise, while losing focus on the road. Even the best quality music becomes very unpleasant to listen to, given such a peculiar accompaniment. You have to speak loudly so that the interlocutor can understand the speech, it is impossible to concentrate on anything.

Sometimes, even in a new car, the level of constant driving noise is at a high level. This is especially true for Russian-made cars. Therefore, many are interested in the question, for example, "How to make soundproofing of a VAZ car?". Noise-insulating layers are thin there, and in some places they simply do not exist. Therefore, sound insulation is a problem not only for old cars, but also for new ones. And self-installation of "Shumka" is the most optimal way out. You can entrust this process to professionals, but it will be a rather expensive service, and no one will give you guarantees that over time there will be no problems that arise from improper installation of sound insulation. How do you soundproof your car yourself? First, let's look at the material options that will be used.

Vibration isolation

Vibration dampers are bitumen-mastic elastic layers that are used to soundproof the cabin. Their main task is to reduce the level of vibration that is created due to engine operation, wheel friction on the roadway, etc.

Sometimes noise is created by vibrations of various elements in the cabin itself. To eliminate such vibrations, you can use any vibration-insulating material that is made onrubber base. The rubberized material can be coated with a metallized membrane.

Vibrating material is sold in rolls. One side has an adhesive layer and a marking grid. The material can be lined on the surface in small elements or whole sheets. High-quality vibration material lays down well on the surface. The rubber structure allows it to gently bend around uneven surfaces. This material is most often used in order to make the soundproofing of car doors correctly with your own hands, how to do this, consider below.

After all the vibration isolation elements are installed, the sound insulation is glued on top with a continuous layer. Currently, there are a huge variety of types of sound insulation, let's try to figure out which one will be better.

Anti-creak materials

Squeaks in a car can occur when metal or plastic parts rub against each other. Previously, to eliminate such sounds, foam rubber, fabric and even plasticine were used as lining material. Now everything is much easier, because in the store you can purchase specialized material for eliminating squeaks at a relatively low cost.

Anti-creak pads are most often made on the basis of polyurethane, fabric is less often used. The material has a sticky layer, which facilitates its installation in the right place. The water-repellent outer layer has a decorative monophonic matte coating, which allows the material to be used for treating open surfaces and their joints. Thematerial is available in two colors: black and gray.

Noise insulation material

There is a wide variety of soundproofing materials that have different structures and directions. Consider the most popular options that you can use if you want to do the installation yourself.

1. Vibroplast Silver. The material is very flexible and elastic, which allows it to be mounted on a surface of various shapes without heating. One side of the material has a sticky surface, the other has a foil layer, lined into squares with a side of 5 cm. The weight of the material is 3 kg per square meter. The material is resistant to moisture and corrosion, does not absorb water.
2. "Splen 3004". Soundproofing material that has good thermal insulation properties. One side has an adhesive layer for easy attachment of the material. The thickness of the mat depends on the brand: 3004 - 4 mm, 3008 - 8 mm, 3002 - 2 mm. The material can be operated at temperatures from +70 to -40 gr. Celsius.
3. "Accent 10". This material is sound absorbing. On the one hand, a sticky layer is applied, inside there is a flexible polyurethane layer, outside - a metallized membrane. Such matter allows you to absorb up to 90% of sounds, the operating temperature range is from -40 to +100 gr. Celsius. The thickness of the material is 10 mm, it is most often used on the inner surface of the hood.
4. "Shumoff Garmeton". In its structure, this material resembles foam rubber, only its sound insulation properties are much higher. Takes shapequickly enough, and returns to its original position within 45 minutes. This allows you to easily install it, and then the material will fill in all the recesses and holes.
5. "Harmeton A15". The material is very similar in its characteristics to the previous version, the difference is only in the surface relief. She has bulges. This allows for more productive dispersion of sounds.

The choice of material depends on which zone will be processed. In doors, for example, it is better to use a lighter and more voluminous material; a bituminous sound insulator is suitable for the floor. Focus on the functional features of each zone.

Hood soundproofing

A layer of noise insulation on the hood will not save you from the sounds emitted by the motor. But it can significantly increase heat retention, which is important in the cold season. The material must be of a complex purpose, the presence of an external heat-reflecting layer is mandatory. The heat-insulating coating should not deform and change its shape under the influence of high temperatures.

If there is factory sound insulation, it must be dismantled. The new insulation is laid in one layer between the stiffeners. Do not load the hood too much, this can cause problems with shock absorbers. Choose a lightweight material, 1-1.5 cm thick. When the inner surface of the hood is processed, you can install the standard noise insulation provided by the manufacturer on top of the car.

Door soundproofing

Most cars do not have door soundproofing from the factory, or it is thin and primitive. But a lot of noise enters the cabin through a metal door, so its isolation is a necessary procedure that will significantly reduce the noise level. Below is an instruction that will allow you to understand how to make soundproofing car doors with your own hands.

Choose lightweight material for soundproofing doors. Otherwise, you risk getting the door to sag or the hinges to break. Release the door from the protective decorative cover. When processing the surface, make sure that the sound insulation does not interfere with the operation of the mechanisms. Cover the inside of the door with a layer of vibration isolation, then paste over the surface with sound insulation. Such a layer will provide not only noise protection, but also thermal protection. How to properly soundproof a car with your own hands so that the music becomes better and more voluminous? The place where the speaker is built into the door can be covered with vibration dampers, thanks to which the sound quality will be better, and the music will become more voluminous.

Insulation of arches and trunk

The place where the spare wheel is stored should be completely pasted over with vibration and noise insulation. The same applies to all plastic parts of the trunk. Vibration sounds must not be generated when moving.

During the movement, the tires come into contact with the roadway, making an unpleasant and rather loud sound, this is especially noticeable in winter, when studded tires are used. To reduce noiseit is necessary to make soundproofing of the arches of the car and the surface of the trunk.

To process the wheel arches, you need to remove the plastic fender liner and carefully clean the surface to be treated. If there are no fender liner, then immediately proceed to the processing of metal arcs. The most suitable material for these purposes is liquid sound insulation. When applied, it forms a protective layer that is resistant to temperature extremes, alkalis, acids and s alts.

The application itself is carried out in several layers. Detailed instructions for using liquid noise insulation are provided on the product packaging itself. Follow all manufacturer's requirements, only in this case you will be able to get a layer that meets the desired requirements.

Roof soundproofing

Roof soundproofing significantly reduces outdoor noise during rain or hail. Due to the dense structure of soundproofing materials, the roof surface will give off less heat in cold weather. The thermal insulation of the roof will become much better due to the low thermal conductivity of the material. How to soundproof your car roof Let's try to answer this question.

Remove the roof lining and assess the condition of the standard noise insulation. If it departs in some places, then it is better to remove it completely. Bituminous insulation materials are best left on if they are holding tight. Clean the metal surface and remove any remaining adhesive or dirt.

First we apply vibration isolation. We try to cover the entire surface of the roof, leaving uncoveredonly stiffeners. If they are closed with insulation, then the ventilation of the amplifiers will be disturbed and condensation will accumulate. The next layer will be soundproofing material. You can use "Shumoff Garmeton" or "Garmeton A15". We fasten the layers butt-to-butt, covering the entire surface with the exception of the stiffeners. In conclusion, put the skin in place.

Floor soundproofing

The floor is one of the biggest sources of noise in a car. At the moment of movement, the noise from the wheels with poor sound insulation is very clearly audible in the cabin. The first step is to prepare the floor for the installation of soundproofing. Chairs need to be removed. We detach the decorative layer of fabric from the body and remove it. The metal elements of the frame must be cleaned of dirt and degreased.

First place the vibrating material. It is better to do this with several separate cuts. We connect the material butt to butt. In the place where the legs of the driver and passenger are located on the right, you need to bend the regular soundproofing and lay several elements of the new "shumka" under it, trying to glue the surface at the highest possible level under the dashboard.

A sound absorber is applied as the second layer. It should be laid out with a continuous carpet. You can use a material that has a heat-insulating membrane. And finally, a soundproof film is glued.

Advantages and disadvantages of noise isolation

Without a doubt, noise isolation is a very useful component of a car interior. If the "shumka" is installed correctly,then while driving it becomes comfortable to be inside the car: there are no extraneous noises from outside and inside. Nothing vibrates or knocks. Your favorite music will play in volume. If you do the whole process with your own hands, then you can get by with a small amount of 2000-3000 rubles.

There are also negative sides when installing additional noise insulation. Some materials reach a weight of 3 kg per square meter. If you add up the entire surface to be treated, then you get an impressive weight. In total, sound insulation can give an additional load of 40-50 kg. This may affect the operation of some parts and components of the vehicle. When using heavy and bulky soundproofing materials, such as when processing doors, sagging or even tearing off of the hinge can occur.

Useful information

Be careful when installing soundproofing. If you make mistakes, then some parts may be deformed when you put them in place. To properly soundproof a car with your own hands, dismantle the parts with the utmost care, remember that most of the interior design parts are made of plastic, they are very easy to damage.

Do not use too much insulating material. More doesn't mean better. Laying "Shumka" in several layers is not only pointless, but also undesirable. After all, the total weight of the car is increasing.

If the Shumkov is installed incorrectly, condensation may occur, which will cause corrosion of the body. The gluing must be of high quality, no gaps are allowed andholes in body cavities such as doors or roof.

In closing

Installing noise insulation is a long, painstaking process that requires great responsibility and accuracy. Doing this work yourself can save you a significant amount of money if you do it right. Otherwise, when making mistakes, you risk getting corrosion on the body, some parts may deform and sag. Therefore, before starting the installation of sound insulation, carefully plan the whole process in order to avoid mistakes in the future. To properly soundproof your car with your own hands, follow the instructions and be careful.