Roof Sound Deadening Install Guide
Author: Eric Dellolio
Last Updated: August 6, 2024
Read Time: 7 Minutes
Roof Sound Deadening
Author: Eric Dellolio
Updated: Aug. 6, 2024
Read Time: 7 Minutes
Author:
Eric Dellolio
Last Updated:
August 6, 2024
Read Time:
7 Minutes
Table of Contents
- Popular Car Roof Soundproofing Materials
- Get a Product Recommendation
- Roof Sound Deadening Can Transform a Jalopy into a Jaguar
- Second Skin Case Study: 1971 Beetle Car Roof Sound Deadening
- How to Install Car Roof Soundproofing
- Featured Product: Roof Soundproofing Kit
- Get Help From a Second Skin Expert
Your car is your happy place, and a noisy roof from heavy rain or wind can easily cause you to tense up and want to get to your destination as quick as possible, which kind of defeats the point of a joy ride.
Sound deadening headliner metal and installing car roof soundproofing materials can make your vehicle quieter than a luxury vehicle so you can enjoy a relaxing ride.
Let's silence the stormy weather and get back to joy riding in style!
Your car is your happy place, and a noisy roof from heavy rain or wind can easily cause you to tense up and want to get to your destination as quick as possible, which kind of defeats the point of a joy ride.
Sound deadening headliner metal and installing car roof soundproofing materials can make your vehicle quieter than a luxury vehicle so you can enjoy a relaxing ride.
Let's silence the stormy weather and get back to joy riding in style!
How to Fix Roof Flex
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Roof Sound Deadening Can Transform a Jalopy into a Jaguar
The headliner of your car is what floats between you and your car's fiberglass roof. This entire unit of fabric and polyurethane is responsible for controlling the temperature inside your car while also sound deadening the metal to some extent. While most luxury cars have a more efficient headliner, if you're restoring an older vehicle or simply aren't driving a luxury vehicle, chances are likely you need improved soundproofing and insulation.
Benefits to Upgrading Roof Soundproofing
Putting sound deadener on your headliner and improving roof insulation will allow you to enjoy your car without the annoyance of rain noise disrupting your drive. Not only that, but wind can cause your whole vehicle to vibrate. By sound deadening your vehicle, not only will your vehicle be quieter, but it will also feel better too. This is exceptionally popular in Ford Bronco sound deadening.
We love to make life easier, which is why we came up with the Car Roof Kit! It comes with the material you'll need for sound deadening headliner metal to resist roof flex and providing much-needed insulation so your car doesn't have significant energy loss. That means your car will have to work less hard to heat and cool your vehicle, keeping you comfortable and improving your fuel economy.
Now you're wondering why you haven't done this sooner. We get it. Stick around for the how-to and the materials you'll need to make your car (jalopy or not) into a luxury car!
Second Skin Case Study: 1971 Beetle car roof sound deadening
"As you may know, old Beetles sound like a tin can. After the installation was complete, the roof sounded like a solid piece of metal when banging on the top of the roof."
- Richard R.
How to Install Car Roof Soundproofing
Steps to car roof soundproofing
Don't waste another second letting weather drown your driving experience. We'll show you, step by step, how to transform your car roof into that of a luxury vehicle so you can drive in style:
Step 1: Take off The Headliner
Each car is different, but generally speaking, you'll need to take off overhead handles, seatbelt heads and brake light covers, then remove trim pad panels. Take notes and/or pictures so you can put it all back properly when you finish. If you feel uncomfortable doing this yourself, reach out to us for a local installer who can do all this for you.
Step 2: Apply Sound Deadener to the metal
For most sound deadening applications like car floor sound deadening, we recommend a minimum of 60% coverage, but for car roofs, we recommend 100% coverage for the added thermal benefits. You can either apply sound deadening mats or use a liquid sound deadener. Pick the best sound deadener for you.
Damplifier Pro™ Sound Deadening Mats
Damplifier Pro™ sound deadening mats are the industry-leading sound deadening mat. Measure out your square footage, and apply Damplifier Pro™ to as much of the metal as you can. Cut it to size using a utility knife, peel to reveal the built-in adhesive, and stick it on. Use a wooden hand roller to ensure a strong bond with no air bubbles for the best performance. About 20-40 sqft is all you'll need depending on the size of your roof.
Spectrum™ Liquid Sound Deadening
Feel more comfortable applying a liquid product? Spectrum™ liquid deadener is just as efficient as Damplifier Pro™ just with a different approach. Two layers of 1mm thickness (when wet) will gives you the results you're looking for. 1 gallon will cover 20 sqft over 2 layers.
For more on vehicle sound deadening, check out our sound deadening article for the ins and outs and why it matters.
Step 3: Add multi-function Thermal Insulation As Your Next Layer
The fact is, maybe you came here to read about car roof insulation, and once you have that headliner off, no one would blame you for wanting to do the complete job! Even if you're not, adding a multi-faceted product like Heat Wave Pro™ or Mega Zorbe™ will do more than insulate the snot out of your roof; it will help absorb sound to make your cabin sound clear and clean. Cover 100% of the roof (between 20-40 sqft) and tape the seams and edges to protect them from daily wear and tear.
Mega Zorbe™ Hydrophobic Melamine Foam
Mega Zorbe™ is a premium sound absorber AND thermal insulator. It is open cell foam, so you just need to make sure you have at least a half-inch of clearance to ensure it's not compressed. It's effectiveness comes from being open. It's great at absorbing medium and high frequency noises in your vehicle.
Heat Wave Pro™ Thermal Jute Insulation
If you don't have the space for Mega Zorbe™, Heat Wave Pro™ is an excellent insulator that will drastically improve cabin termperature control, and it's easy on your wallet too! It isn't as good at absorbing sound as the former, but it does have a respectible .45 NRC rating.
For more on heat and sound insulation for cars, check out our insulation article for everything you need to know.
Step 4: Close it back up and hit the road
Get those notes and pictures out! Put it back the way you found it (except that it is WAY better than when you started)!
The Best a Roof Can Get - Second Skin Car Roof Kits
When folks ask us how to get the best a roof can get, we point them to the Second Skin Car Roof Kit. By combining three key things, there's nothing better: (1) premium sound deadener, (2) premium thermal insulation and sound absorption, and (3) a premium 10% bundle discount! Aside from the soundproofing and thermal insulation materials, each kit also includes any needed adhesives and tools to make the job easier.
- Damplifier Pro™ sound deadening mats will stop car roof vibrations to max out SPL and give you a quieter, smoother ride.
- Both Mega Zorbe™ and Heat Wave Pro™ will absorb sound, thermally insulate, and resist heat transfer.
- Mega Zorbe™ for premium insulation and sound absorption
- Heat Wave Pro™ for budget-friendly, kick-butt insulation
- Two sizes . . . because no two car roofs are created equally.
- Each kit includes the tools and adhsives needed for the job.
- Made in the USA and ships free in the USA.
A Quieter Car Roof is all Upside
Road noise and bad weather shouldn't be disrupting your ride. Any car can be a luxury vehicle with the right materials. Don't wait another second to give yourself the comfortable, quiet ride you deserve. For more vehicle noise reduction tips, check out our full article. For help with product recommendations and questions, just give us a call or fill out our contact form. Jaguar or jalopy, Second Skin is here to help!