As you'll recall, last issue Gerry Burger gave us a little background on the evolution of interior sound deadening and heat insulation, as well as introducing us to Dynamat' s year- and model-specific precut insulation kits. That example installation was performed on a Tri-Five Chevy Gasser project going together at Woody's Hot Rodz using the aforementioned Dynamat precut kit. Burger had also mentioned a second project we've got in the works as well, an all-steel Model A closed-cab pickup.
The A pickup (shown here) was assembled and readied by Hot Rods by Dean to receive a new layer of Dynamat noise and vibration deadening material as well as another awesome Dynamic Control product we think you'd be interested in seeing. After being handed off to Hot Rod Interiors by Glenn Kramer the installation will begin with the standard bulk cut-to-fit Dynamat most of us are familiar with, but Kramer won't stop there. The Dynamat will then be covered with a layer of a relatively new Dynamic Control product called DynaDeck. The combination of Dynamat sound-deadening material layered with DynaDeck flooring will ensure the hot rod pickup will stay way cooler and much quieter than one would ever imagine.
DynaDeck is a heavy-duty vinyl flooring product that not only blocks engine and exhaust heat and acts as a barrier against road noise, but is a great looking durable replacement for carpet as well. DynaDeck goes great in a traditional hot rod as in this case (especially when treated to carpet-like stitching as Kramer did) but would be just the ticket in any early pickup, street rod, vintage sports car, or Jeep. That said, let's follow along while this pickup gets the full Dynamat treatment, a Frank Wallic bomber-style bench seat, and newly stitched custom upholstery by Glenn Kramer.
1. Prior to heading out to Hot Rod Interiors by Glenn Kramer, Dean Livermore and the crew at Hot Rods by Dean handled the pickup's assembly.
2. Frank Wallic's design and metalworking talents are apparent in this awesome bomber-style bench seat. Here, the guys at Dean's worked to mock up the proper seat height for the matching aluminum seat riser.
3. Once the pickup made it over to Kramer's shop the insulation job began. As we mentioned in the first installment, Dynamat's sticky butyl layer not only isolates noise and vibration but it sticks to a vehicle floor like glue. The best way to begin laying out any sheet of Dynamat is to peal the backing paper just a few inches from the starting edge of the sheet—this way if you need to reposition it for any reason all you'll need to fight is just the starting edge of the sticky butyl rather than a full sheet's worth of it.
4. Full contact of the Dynamat with the panel is important. Air bubbles between the floor and the butyl will hinder Dynamat's vibration damping ability. The use of roller helps to ensure good contact to a panel.
5. The Dynamat installation began by covering the floorpan and firewall first. Notice the complete coverage here versus the partial coverage used in the Chevy Gasser project from part one's install from last month.
6. The inner doors also received Dynamat. When installing inside the door be certain to get good adhesion. You don't want water to get between the insulation and the door panel so roll it out smooth with no air bubbles.
7. Sheets of Dynamat were cut to fit both the vertical surfaces of the cab as well. Note the perfect fit of each panel, the bulk sheets of Dynamat can be trimmed using a razor knife or scissors.
Dynamat Vibration, Noise, and Heat Barrier Products
Dynamat (a Dynamic Control brand), is recognized by hot rodders around the world as the go-to product for solutions to unwanted noise, vibration, and heat. The Dynamat brand encompasses a family of products for the automotive enthusiast, the most recognizable for many of us being the Dynamat/Dynamat Xtreme, which most of us use in our hot rod, classic truck, and muscle car projects. That said, there are a few more members of the Dynamat family we're sure you'd be interested in checking out so we'd suggest a visit their website (dynamat.com) for more detailed descriptions and images. Meanwhile, for those not familiar with Dynamat, here's a bit of info that'll get you up to speed and on your way to a much more enjoyable hot rod experience.
Dynamic Control makes different products...
Which is best for me?
Dynamic Control provides solutions for most vibration, noise, and heat insulation problems.
How does Dynamat stop road noise?
As a car operates, it generates noise. This noise is caused by the transference of energy (vibration) from the internal components and from the road to chassis of the vehicle. The chassis (doors, floors, roof) transforms this vibration into audible noise. Dynamat transforms the energy (vibration) into silent energy.
How much will Dynamat quiet my car?
Even a small amount of Dynamat can cause a profound noise reduction. For example, applying Dynamat to the doors of your vehicle can reduce road noise from 3-6 dB! Complete coverage of an average vehicle can reduce road noise 9, 12, even as much as 18 dB.
How much Dynamat do I need to use to be effective?
You can apply Dynamat in patches (25-50 percent area coverage) to keep a specific panel from resonating or you can apply it over an entire area (such as the floor, doors, or trunk) to create a sound barrier and vibrational damper.
What is Dynamat?
Dynamat is a thin, flexible, easy to cut and mold sheet that actually stops noise-causing resonance and vibration by using visco-elastic qualities that promote vibro-acoustic energy conversion. In short, that means noise becomes silent energy.
8. The roof of the Model A pickup is virtually a heat sink when it is out in the sun so it is important to install a layer of Dynamat on the roof panels. These long flat panels will vibrate and resonate like crazy without proper sound damping material; Dynamat will handle all the sound problems effectively. Notice the material has been worked carefully into the recesses on the panel.
9. Once the Dynamat installation was complete the bomber seat (notice the fresh seat cushions and upholstery) and seat riser were test-fit in the cab.
10. With the seat location and height dialed in the next step was the fitting of the DynaDeck vinyl flooring. DynaDeck is a great alternative to carpeting, especially in a more traditional-style vehicle. Not only does DynaDeck harken back to pre-carpeting days looks-wise but its 1/8-inch embossed vinyl top layer makes it much more durable than any carpet would be.
11. Once Kramer spent the time to measure, cut, and pre-fit the DynaDeck material he liked the look of the DynaDeck better than he initially suspected he would, but Kramer hit on an idea that would take the DynaDeck installation to the next step. What Kramer did was bind and stitch the DynaDeck edges just as he would when crafting custom-fit carpeting.
12. Wow, it's amazing how much taking the time and effort to cut, fit, and stitch the DynaDeck improved the appearance of an already good-looking product. It's attention to details such as this that sets Kramer apart from the crowd.
13. The Model A's interior installation was then made complete with the balance of the new upholstery cut, stitched, and installed. The combined efforts of Kramer, Wallic, and Livermore and his crew and high-quality Dynamat family of sound, heat, and vibration barrier products the A pickup project is well on its way to providing a great looking, comfortable, and quiet hot rod that'll be a pleasure to drive.
