Removing your headliner and insulating/sound deadening

Hey @GHOST SHIP , where u at in SoCal?

 

SFV

 

Santa Clarita here. Im reading through ur thread right now. Its stupid hot out here and Im looking to do the same. My question is, can u over layer the material to double it up and still have room to reinstall the headliner? If I'm going to do this, i want max heat reflecting as possible.

 

There is plenty of room. The headliner itself is about 1.5-1.75" away from the roof skin in the main flat areas. Other parts with bracing and such, it'll be a bit closer, but still have room for the insulation. Obviously you want to avoid areas where the fasteners are holding the liner up (visor mounts, sunglass holder screw, etc.). One thing to remember about certain types of insulation is that it doesn't like being compressed- fiberglass insulation in your house, for example that is rated to r13 will not become R26 if you mash it in the wall cavity and double layer it. The air between the glass fibers is what adds the R value. By compressing the insulation, you are actually taking away R value and weakening the product itself. One of added benefits about this project is that it forced me to do a lot of research on insulation dynamics and materials and gave me a better understanding of what I'm trying to achieve. By using different materials (each with a different purpose), I can add R value without wasting money and materials by just cramming a bunch of stuff in there.

 

Understood. That makes sense. Before I forget, did the adhesive fail when u took the headliner out? To me, I think there isn't an adhesive that will stand (stick) the heat that we have here in SoCal. At least, I haven't heard or seen any.

Between the Dynamat and Fatmat, I read there were other products out there but no one has had any experience with them. Whats ur take with the material u used? Did it hold up beyond ur expectations?

 

I haven't removed the headliner since installation so I can't comment on whether the adhesive has held up. I will say that butyl adhesives tend to be better suited for heat application because although extreme temperatures will soften the material, it actually makes the adhesive gummier and stickier. In some cases the adhesive will weep slightly around the edges of the material, but I have not seen it fail yet. I've used Dynamat in the past, but never Fatmat. For the most part they are about the same product, but manufacturing processes could affect the quality I'm sure. I used the cheap stuff since my thinking is that it's all about the same and I can say that the Noico is extremely similar in feel and workability as Dynamat.

I'm planning to drop the liner this weekend to add the Reflectix and I'll report back anything I find, good or bad. Honestly though, if it were to fail, you would never know since it's hidden behind the headliner any way. The only giveaway would be if the acoustics of the roof panel change (meaning complete separation of the product and you get the tin can sound back), or if you get a rattle like I did when I failed to tape down the wiring harness for the dome light after my initial install. Being that the insulation product is soft foam, I don't imagine it would rattle much if at all even if it did separate- at least I haven't heard anything.

It'd be a good time to mention that just as in anything, proper prep for installation is key to prevent product failure. Before sticking down my first layer, I cleaned the roof with household all purpose cleaner and did find a little dust had made it's way up there. Probably not enough to affect full adhesion, but just to cover my ass, I gave it a quick second pass with alcohol to remove any residue left by the cleaner.
(edit: I'll add this to OP since I would consider this an important step)

 

I will ask. I ended up getting 50% off of Amazon prices, so i will see what he can do for a group.

 

I'd buy more to do the wife's car if you can make this happen.

 

I was thinking a pass with windex and then a pass with rubbing alcohol. Think that will be sufficient?

 

Are you just putting the Reflectix in loose, but sealing the seams? Or are you adhering it to the existing mat somehow?

 

Same thing. I used diluted Bonner's because that's what we use at home, but any household cleaner should be fine (windex, 409 etc.). We're not removing engine grease or paint overspray, just getting rid of dust and light contaminates.

 

I'll most likely use foil tape in a few areas to keep it in place and to seal seams, but it will be somewhat loose. Reflectix recommends foil tape as their seam sealer and I have a couple rolls at home from old HVAC work.

 

Thanks! I appreciate the comment. My goal (once I get a day or two off to do this) is to try and make as complete a walkthrough as you did, but for the third generation.

 

Thanks! I have the Noico in the garage and have been considering doing this the last week or so...but wanted it to cool off. May bite the bullet, put up the pop-up, and just get it done.

 

Great idea! I wouldn't mind if you add pictures of the differences here since there have already been a few 3rd gen guys post and comment. I think keeping everything consolidated will make it easer to find for future reference.
If you choose to do that, I'll add your info to the OP and give full credit where it's due.

 

I like the idea! I'm not worried about credit at all. It just makes sense as this was exactly where I was led to in the process of figuring out my build!

 

GHOST SHIP...when you do this will you be getting the pictures you missed before? Maybe put some painter's tape as reminders as you go...

 

One of the installations I did with another member's truck was during a pretty hot day. We got started early, but right as we were finishing up, you could feel the heat coming through the roof panel. The bare metal was too hot to touch and the areas where we had already covered were still hot but way more bearable. Comparable to hot coffee in a styrofoam cup. It was actually pretty good to experience that for me and the owner so we had a direct comparison of "before" and "after".
Still, the pop-up would be a good idea.

 

Thanks for reminding me. I was going to half-ass it and just pull a corner and try to shove the Reflectix in there, but it's probably a better idea to do things right.

 

I'm all for giving credit where it's due. There's a few mods I've done to my truck that I came up with on my own, but for the most part a lot of them are things I've learned from this site. We're all here to share information and I think it's important to make sure and acknowledge those that forged ahead before us or figured things out to make them easier for the rest of us.