Dynamat 2.0

After $500 in materials and many days to do the whole interior including the doors, I’d give Dynamat a C+ on sound deadening. I’m particular and didn’t get that “wow” difference once I had it all installed, but others who ride in my car did think it is much better.

The material has its hazards. The foil backing is as sharp as razor blades and can slice fingers and thumbs while working it. Also, you need lacquer thinner to clean any of the tar that gets on tools or you. A person would have to be confident and able to remove most of the lower interiors including door panels, consoles, seats and carpet to get access to the metal floor-pan.

Now I’m wondering if somehow doing the wheel wells in Dynamat would deaden the tire noise that transfers into the cabin – especially at higher speeds or on rougher roads. If Dynamat made a product specifically for this, I’d give it a shot. No shinny foil backing…it would have to be flat black to blend in.

Anyway, here are some pics (not shown is the spare tire compartment and above the rear wheels (but they are also done with Dynamat) :

 

Thanks for the links...I had seen the speaker one before. No matter which approach is taken, it's a lot of work! I did get some improvement using my method...maybe I should have found a shop to do it professionally, but it's hard to see what is being done and once completed; the product is invisible. I still think more can be gained from treating the wheel wells. Here is one of my doors:

 

Yes, the upper firewall is nearly impossible to reach short of pulling everything under the dash. BTW, that's almost 1/4 of the car! My next phase is to line the wheel-wells with it. I still think at high speeds, I can hear some tire noise. I don't think anyone here has tried that, but I'll post pics and results when done.

 

Finally did the wheelwells. Yet more noise reduction at highway speeds:
Prius sound proofing | Page 2 | PriusChat

 

I think my next step would be better tires and that will be many more miles down the road. In the mean time, it is one of the quieter Prii.

 

KK6PD: Yes, I did the inside and outside of the rear wheel wells. Each had its challenges. There's a gas line cover (plastic) that needs to come off to get the Dynamat behind it. It does snap back in - can't recall if there was a bolt or not. As far as the insides, you have to extract both sides of the plastic wheel well shrouds to gain access and there's allot of wiring going on to get around. You asked how much it all weighs and if I figure in 4 doors, the floor and the wheel wells it comes out to about 60 pounds or the additional weight of child passenger. I have not noticed a significant drop in mileage.
As for my "C+", it does deaden the road noise to a degree, but don't expect a "Cadillac quiet" ride from this mod. You can still hear tire noise just not as much of it. If I were to be able to go back in time before the floor and wheel wells, I'd have gotten a complete set of Michelin Primacy tires for the same money. The mod cost about $600. Oh yes, I also did the "trunk" area beneath the spare.

 

I've seen another thread here where a member tried that. I don't recall what he said about the noise-dampening though.