Technical Sound deadening

[fiat500]

I can't find much here with a search on the topic.
I don't actually want to sound-proof my 500 because I think that's probably a hopeless task and I like the sound/noise anyway.
But having replaced the floor the thick butuminous panels which to an extent give the floor a bit of "body" and stop resonance and road noise are obviously missing.

[/url]DSC_6137 by peterthompson, on Flickr[/IMG]
I will be re-fitting the original rubber floor covering and for now I am leaving the underneath in bare "Rustseal" (POR15 -type product) so there is currently going to be even less than usual between my lower parts and the road
Can anyone recommend a self-adhesive product which is as near as possible in appearance, thickness and function to the original stuff. Also, how much do I need todo the floor? I will not be lining the inside of the doors or the rear quarter since these still have the original anti-vibration spray seal.

 

[Franko500]

Hi Peter,
Self adhesive sound deadening pads are available in various sizes.
These are the same material as originally used. Some have a slightly different texture/appearance.
You can then cut them to size & if you warm them with a hot air gun they are easy to mould into all the contours.
If you contact any decent car body refinisher supplier ie Movac or Morelli's' they should be able to supply them, or alternatively any bodyshop will be able to sell them or put you in touch with a supplier.

Sean

 

[fiat500]

Thanks Sean. There's loads on offer on EBAY but I was baffled by the range. I have found some that is non flammable and will mould round the pressings. Off on holiday soon so will wait a couple of weeks.

 

[Bambino]

I used Dynamat under carpet and on the rear bulkhead behind the rear seat. It's expensive but it seems to work. It's also fire proof.
Even so, on occasion I still need these ...
Chris

 

[the hobbler]

Morning Chris;
I thought they were standard equipment on 500s!---something no proper tool-box should be without

 

[ecdy]

Sound damping is nice, up to a point, but rust is not. Adhesive damping panels can retain moisture themselves, and also not allow sub-panel moisture, which can appear due to condensation, to escape, increasing chances for rust underneath. And the 500 needs those chances to be reduced as much as possible. You can easily cut sound-absorbing pads to fit under the rubber mats in the cockpit and trunk and behind the rear seat back. When the car is not in use these are easily removed. It's probably best to leave as much of the painted metal open to air as possible. Nice to have a garage dehumidifier too.
Note the commercial sound-deadening stuff is not ordinarily intended for cats like the 500; modern cars use galvanized steel in many places, and factory anti-rust protection may also be a lot better than even a good body shop can achieve.

 

[Bambino]

I must admit that I thought coating steel with primer and then paint acted as an effective rust control. Eventually, water under carpet, rubber or sound deadening will rust metal if there are deficiencies in the primer/paint coatings and it's up to us to make sure that the water doesn't get in easily, as well as getting rid of it when it does.
Modern cars use combinations of treated metal, paint, underlay, carpet and decent seals to both isolate the interior from noise and vibration as well as insulate against the weather.
I might add that living in a mild climate where the roads are not salted helps as well
Just my 2c
Chris

 

[fiat500]

Non-porous, self-adhesive deadening is not going to cause condensation when in intimate contact with well-painted steel. If that was the case, every part of my painted car would have had rust under the surface.
Oops, just realised the weakness of my argument.
Seriously though, I think you can overthink some of these matters.