Rubber instead of MVL ?

[rockondon]

Stripped my interior today. Not just to apply rammat. [I have some but not much]

I got sheets of rubber 3/32 thick ,aprox 50sqf.
And some compressed cotten sheets. 5/32 thick.
Laying the two together looks a hair over 1/4 in
Curious what others think about the results i might get.??

While i can im using 3-4 cans of foam in,around the rear tire wells. To lock them from vibrating. [Why did the OEM put the compressed cotten stuff in plastic baggies.? ] This area will get some rammat.

[Rudeboy]

I'd expect the rubber to be very useful. The only important question is how much it weighs (per ft² for easy comparisons - MLV is generally 1 lb/ft²). One of the easiest noise abatement techniques is installing those heavy rubber, "all weather" floor mats that many car manufacturers offer.

I'd worry a little bit about the cotton sheets. They're likely to hold moisture and that can be a problem. Depending on how tightly it is compressed, it may not be very effective at floating the rubber over the substrate. I'd consider some sort of closed cell foam for that task. It's very important that the barrier (rubber) be separated from the substrate (car) by as much air as possible and hopefully in a form that won't compress over time.

[rockondon]

Well my method of weighing it is ,me on a bathroom scale. Then add the sheets. It says I'm around 45-50lbs for 51sqf of rubber.
And the CCF is not readily available in thin sheets. But OCF is.

I should note ,both rubber and cotton sheets [absorbent sheets used around machinery] were FREE. Seems like a great price.

While i do not expect results like i used Vertex or SSA barriers. I just hope to approximate as closely as possible. As i want a barrier instead of just adding a CLD. Did that on two other cars. The results were positive. Just not what i wanted.

[Rudeboy]

Originally Posted by rockondon

Well my method of weighing it is ,me on a bathroom scale. Then add the sheets. It says I'm around 45-50lbs for 51sqf of rubber.
And the CCF is not readily available in thin sheets. But OCF is.

I should note ,both rubber and cotton sheets [absorbent sheets used around machinery] were FREE. Seems like a great price.

While i do not expect results like i used Vertex or SSA barriers. I just hope to approximate as closely as possible. As i want a barrier instead of just adding a CLD. Did that on two other cars. The results were positive. Just not what i wanted.

CCF IS readily available in thin sheets. Look for 1/8" Ensolite, Neoprene, etc. Not very expensive since you already have the expensive part, likely much more effective and will almost certainly save problems in the future.

[rockondon]

Originally Posted by Rudeboy

CCF IS readily available in thin sheets. Look for 1/8" Ensolite, Neoprene, etc. Not very expensive since you already have the expensive part, likely much more effective and will almost certainly save problems in the future.

Thank you for the advice.
I do have 4 yards of ensolite. I was afraid it was to thin to float the barrier on. And its only enough for one layer. Would you still go that route.?

[Rudeboy]

Originally Posted by rockondon

Thank you for the advice.
I do have 4 yards of ensolite. I was afraid it was to thin to float the barrier on. And its only enough for one layer. Would you still go that route.?

Probably. The only downside to Ensolite is that it compresses quite a bit under pressure. Maybe a combination? The cotton might be useful in places that you are certain will never get wet. Since the rubber is waterproof, you might be able to stretch that definition a little bit. The toughest spot is probably the front floor. It is going to see pressure from your feet and will get wet. Maybe look around for just enough thicker (maybe 1/4"), more resilient foam for those spots - it'd only take a few square feet.

[rockondon]

Thank you Rudeboy.

Anybody else care to comment on this plan.?

[rockondon]

Rubber instead of MLV.

Got it installed. Did it twice. First time was only one layer.
Second time.....Started by using rammat from front seat ,up to bottom of the dash. Next was pressed cotton and ensolite. Then one solid layer front to back. Plus the front got a total of 3 layers. [ In the front its only right at 1/2 in thick.]

Homemade as hell. But does it work.??
Yes/No......More yes. It is very noticeable where the barrier is. There is a good reduction in floor road noise. Floor noise is all ,tires wind mechanical.

Did it give me a total 12db reduction.? No.
I could only reach just about behind the pedals. Which leaves a gap of 18-24 inches to the bottom of the windshield. And some engine noise still gets through. And the doors also pass noise. [need to work on that.]

Was it worth it.? Hell yea.!!
It is a serious gain. Plus at reassembly. I added small amounts of deadner to panels. And ensolite pieces as gaskets to most ,to stop contact. Giving a much more [when taped on] solid interior.

Can i recommend it.? No.
Its a long project for the OCD/AR people. Plus the good stuff that works best is sold by SSA and Cascade or Dynamat. There stuff has the science behind it.
And i had resources to get mine free. If i bought same stuff outright ,it would cost 3/4 of the good stuff. And at that point ,go for the best.

It worked great for me. And will pay back more when the doors get more attention.