(FAQ) Sound Deadening Spray For Cars
Your vehicle, no matter how new, will make some rattling in certain circumstances. Rough terrain and bald tires make for optimal noise-producing conditions. Any space between the metal and plastic layers in your car or truck can allow vibrations loud enough to bother you as you drive.
One solution to reduce road noise is to apply a sound barrier material. While it won’t mitigate every single vibration, a sound deadening spray will go a long way in dampening them, making your ride more peaceful.
Before you run out and get a can, take a look at the answers to these sound deadening spray FAQ.
Page Contents
What is Sound Deadening Spray?
Sound deadening spray is designed to create a layer of absorbent material that will deaden the sound that reaches you in the vehicle.
Sound deadening spray is applied to the curved and flat parts of a vehicle to provide a layer of even sound insulation. Spraying is an effective way to apply insulation in hard-to-reach areas and gaps. It is often used in conjunction with sound deadening mats.
How Does Sound Deadening Spray Work?
Sound deadening spray is applied to the curved and flat parts of a vehicle in order to provide a layer of even sound insulation. Spraying is an effective way to apply insulation in hard-to-reach areas and gaps. It is often used in conjunction with sound deadening mats.
When objects vibrate, they produce sound waves. When the sound deadening spray is applied, it absorbs some of the vibration and the sound waves, reducing the noise.
Most sprays use a binding solution mixed with sound dampening particles, which creates a thin coat. Many sound dampening sprays are made of the same materials as mass loaded vinyl sheets. The amount of reduction in sound transmission depends on how many layers of material are laid down.
How Do You Apply Sound Deadening Spray?
Adding a sound deadening spray layer is not as difficult as you might imagine.
- Remove the top layers
- Sand rust spots
- Mix the spray
- Spray it on
- Let dry
- Repeat if desired
To apply the sound deadening spray to the inside of your vehicle, you’ll need to remove everything down to the sheet metal. That means carpeting, seats, and liners all must come out. Once you’ve bared it all, give the sheet metal a good cleaning. If you find rust spots, sand them down or use a rust encapsulator.
Use a face mask and gloves when applying the sound deadening spray to avoid getting it on your skin and eyes. Some come with a kit that includes a mixing drill tip, wet mil gauge, canister, and spray nozzle. Other sprays don’t, and you may need to purchase them separately.
Mix the spray according to the directions that come with it in a well-ventilated area. Spray the liquid compound at least 8 inches away from your face. The first layer will dry after about 20 minutes. This bottom layer should be about 20 mils thick when you measure it with the wet mil gauge. Allow each coat to dry entirely before applying another layer.
When everything has dried completely, you can paint over the spray if you like. If you’ve painted, allow the paint to dry before reassembling your vehicle.
What Are Some Benefits and Drawbacks to Installing Sound Deadening Spray?
There are some things to be aware of before applying sound deadening sprays.
Sound deadening sprays can:
- Chip
- Have a bad odor
Sound deadening sprays often chip after application. This issue prevents them from effectively absorbing sound waves and heat. You may need to reapply the spray periodically for the best results. Some types also have an unpleasant, rubbery odor, which takes some time to dissipate.
On the other hand, the sound deadening spray is simpler to install when compared to sound deadening mats. The liquid compound is ideal for areas where you don’t want to add weight, like on door panels. They also are more effective in hard to reach areas than a mat.
Sound deadening sprays:
- Are easier to install than a mat
- Don’t add weight to the vehicle
- Effectively reach tight spots
How can I Choose the Best Sound Deadening Spray?
The best sound deadening sprays:
- Are made with low-density ingredients
- Have low emission for VOCs
- Have additional radiant heat insulation
When deciding on which sound deadening spray to use, look for the type with the lowest-density material ingredients. Low-density material will provide more sound adsorption than high-density matter.
You should also consider how environmentally friendly the spray is. You won’t want a silent vehicle that has fumes that are slowly killing you, now do you? Search out one that has a low emission for volatile organic compounds (VOC).
The best options for soundproofing sprays are those that provide both radiant heat and noise insulation. The additional property makes the sound deadening spray more economical in the long run.
What Other Things Might Contribute to Road Noise?
If you’ve applied sound deadening spray and there’s still irritating noise, there are a few other tricks you can try. Add a sound deadening mat will substantially decrease the vibrations that create the sound waves that are bothering you. Consider putting one down in the larger areas such as the floorboards and trunk.
Your tires can either provide insulation against or amplify road noise. Ask yourself:
- What quality of tire does your vehicle have?
- How is the tread wear?
- Do the tires need to be replaced or rotated?
- What are the road conditions of the places I typically drive?
Potholes, large and small, certainly shakes things up a bit. Unpaved roads are often uneven and jarring. There might not be much you can do about the road conditions, however driving slower and more cautiously will save on the wear and tear your vehicle experiences.
In Conclusion
Sound Deadening Spray can be a boon to noise-sensitive drivers. Although time-consuming to apply, it is not as challenging to do yourself as you might think. With these answers to sound deadening spray FAQs, you’ll have a better idea of what to look for in a product.
When deciding on the best spray, the type that comes in the bucket tends to be more robust and easier to apply than that which is already in the aerosol can. You should also check for low-density ingredients and low emission VOCs. If the noise problem persists, check your tires and consider adding a sound deadening mat.
