Everyone wants a cool hot rod, but heat coming from the exhaust system or engine compartment can transform the interior of the coolest car or truck into a toaster oven. Heat, vibration, and unwanted road noise can reduce ride quality just as much as an improper suspension.
Hot Rods By Dean in Phoenix added heat shielding and sound-deadening insulation from Dynamat to STREET RODDER's Project Shop Truck to ensure that our '47 Chevy pickup (Chevs of the 40's) will ride smooth, quiet, and cool.
After a thorough cleaning to remove all dirt and grease from the interior panels to be covered, the installation started with a layer of Dynamat Xtreme. This aluminum-coated material is an improved version of the original Dynamat that has been popular for years. In addition to the floor, firewall, kick panels, and doors, Dynamat Xtreme can be applied to the roof, trunklid, hood, and even the quarter-panels and fenders. The job continued with the addition of Dynaliner thermo-acoustic liner, to further reduce heat and noise. This was a simple one-day job, successfully accomplished with a few simple tools.
Installing Dynamat insulation...
Installing Dynamat insulation in Project Shop Truck to reduce noise, heat, and vibration is an important part of this buildup and will go a long way to improving ride quality. The installation is a simple job, as Charlie Sullens from Hot Rods By Dean demonstrated. A few tools and techniques make the job even simpler.
These two pieces of equipment,...
These two pieces of equipment, both from Dynamat, were helpful during the installation and improved the end results. Dynatape 1-1/2-inch aluminum tape comes in 30-foot rolls with a peel-off release liner for easy use. The heavy-duty Professional Roller features a 2-inch solid rubber roller. Sullens also used a utility knife for cutting the Dynamat Xtreme; shears would also work.
The Dynamat Xtreme sound-deadening...
The Dynamat Xtreme sound-deadening sheets are available in a variety of sizes for different applications and can be cut for a precise fit. Here you can see the peel-off backing and the self-adhesive underside. That adhesive is sticky stuff so position the pieces carefully when installing them. You might find it easier to remove the backing a few inches at a time instead of all at once. If cutting is necessary, it should be done before the backing is removed.
The insulation should be applied...
The insulation should be applied to a clean surface (the manufacturer recommends a solvent-based cleaner). Our brand-new Dynacorn body, supplied by Chevs of the 40's, had no corrosion, but that probably won't be the case with an original-bodied vehicle, and any rusted areas should be repaired and cleaned. Sullens used a body filler applicator to press out air pockets from between the insulation and the sheetmetal, working from one edge of the sheet to the other.
The Professional Roller follows...
The Professional Roller follows the contours in the floor to further eliminate any air pockets between the surfaces and maximize adhesion. Any remaining pockets can be eliminated by cutting a tiny hole in the material with a razor. Project Shop Truck doesn't have a transmission hump, which would add more contours if this was a car.
For the best coverage, the...
For the best coverage, the insulation runs right up to the corners, and cut with the utility knife where it butts, such as at the rear of the cab shown here. Hang onto any smaller scrap pieces. They will probably come in handy when insulating tight areas of the interior where bigger pieces won't fit.
A separate piece of Dynamat...
A separate piece of Dynamat Xtreme was used to cover the removable plate in the floor...
... which allow access to...
... which allow access to the transmission.
Don't forget to insulate the...
Don't forget to insulate the doors because a lot of sound can come in through there. A Dynamat Xtreme door kit is available specifically for this portion of the job.
The first part of the job...
The first part of the job is finished. As you can see, not every millimeter must be covered for the Dynamat insulation to keep out noise and vibration, but there should be no large gaps. Multiple layers can be applied if so desired. And don't forget to cover the rocker panels and firewall. Any holes in the sheetmetal, such as mounting holes for the seat, can easily be cut into the material when the time comes.
DynaSpray was developed to...
DynaSpray was developed to provide insulation from noise and heat in areas where it is difficult to apply the adhesive insulation. The water-based ceramic coating dries to a flat black finish and it paintable.
For the best results, the...
For the best results, the DynaSpray Spray Gun, used with compressed air, is recommended.
Dynaliner was applied over...
Dynaliner was applied over the Dynamat Xtreme to reduce heat and minimize additional noise and vibration. This thermo-acoustic heat shielding foam comes in 32x54-inch sheets, in thicknesses of 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 inch. Sullens used the 1/2-inch thickness for the floor of the pickup.
Dynaliner, like Dynamat Xtreme,...
Dynaliner, like Dynamat Xtreme, has a peel-off backing and self-adhesive underside that presses into place.
Using a utility knife, Sullens...
Using a utility knife, Sullens cut the Dynaliner the width of the cab...
... in case we need to reach...
... in case we need to reach the transmission access plate in the floor.
The seam was sealed using...
The seam was sealed using the DynaTape.
The Professional Roller was...
The Professional Roller was used again, this time to press the DynaTape securely into place. Once Project Shop Truck is carpeted, nobody will see the work that just took place. We'll have to rely on a cool and quiet cab to confirm the fact that it's there.