How To Install Sound Deadening Mat In A Van

[@Thomas-qk7wf]

Respectfully, my understanding of how sound deadening materials works is that it's not so much a sound "absorber" as it is an anti-vibration material. That's why they say you only need to cover 25% of a panel to get maximum benefit. You're spending a lot of additional money, unnecessarily, by putting so much of it on the body panels. Not to mention, you're going to have insulation and wall coverings that will further reduce noise in the cabin. Lastly, the sound deadening material is providing the most benefit as you're driving down the road and very little when you're parked. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to the rest of the build.

[@MarcillaSmith]

-Another money-saving tip is to consider using roof patch. Car stereo types swear by it. A gallon of Leak Stopper is $15 at Walmart, and a plastic spreader is like $1-2- EDIT: This from the SDS for Leak Stopper: "Do not transport on passenger seats or inside the passenger compartment of any vehicle"

[@henrikm4657]

@@MarcillaSmith I’d be somewhat concerned about roof patch possibly emitting some nasty chemicals inside the van though. The dedicated deadening material probably has to be tested for that since it’s by definition an indoors product.

[@MarcillaSmith]

@@henrikm4657 Thanks for heads up! Most polymers should have a similar effect. I suppose another option would be taking some rubber or similar and gluing it in place?

[@jenhalpin]

So funny! I was just going out to my van to attach kilmat!

[@BradGroux]

SOS - Don't forget to add your Patreon link in each of your video descriptions. I had to check four different videos to find it!!! Your content is amazing man, and I have no doubt if you make it easier other Patrons will soon follow!

[@seven_o_savage]

BRAD!!! Thank you bro. I appreciate it man 🙏

[@williamchanning9055]

Yay, the savage is back. I just love your enthusiasm, really looking forward to this build.

[@matreyia]

James Spader living the van life.😁

[@brianthebrian3889]

Your uplifting excitement is contagious rock on my friend ☮

[@marianobruno7491]

Hey! big fan here. We just got our 2022 v6, new, van. one of the last v6 4x4 that will be ever build by mercedes. We just did the Sound deadening with the killmats! Happened that our Van came with some of the metal fits, that should have factory glue, without it, so I had to add that glue too, since those metals also holds the external metal for that sound thing too Thanks for video

[@kathylong9087]

I just got a 2022 170 2500 4x4. I ordered dynamat because I couldn't find kilmat anywhere. What glue is missing and where?

[@marianobruno7491]

@@kathylong9087 The interior skeleton/structure is mostly "glued" to the exterior flat panels. You can check inside the skeleton everywhere, like in rear doors, sides panels, etc, internally has metal in L shape that will be sitting on the outside panel, those two pieces are fixed by a rubbery glue. In several places that glue was missing, or just not enough to actually touch the two pieces

[@jwang9988]

We need more of your hilarious sarcasm in these instructional videos :-)

[@tangwendeo]

thank you. looking forward seeing your next step

[@juannlowe]

great video!

[@accountingstepbystep2229]

Dear Seven, I had a 2014 2WD sprinter and just got a 2020 4X4. Did you notice the drive train on the 2020 4X4 to be quite a bit noisier than your old van? Gear noise and clunking near the rear end that could be brakes or drive train, not sure? Thank you for another GREAT video! I'm subscribed and love the videos, especially the one where you picked up your new van. This is because I watched the video as I was driving back from Devon Pennsylvania to Miami picking up my new Sprinter van. I really love the new Sprinter and all the safety features and electronics.

[@terencedoherty3645]

Could you insulate van using self adhesive carpet or mats, I wonder? Terence

[@markthompson1479]

I'm wondering if a 4 inch mini roller might be best for avoiding body panel damage...and use the one your using for the edges. Great video ....

[@swagonman]

Question: what would happen if you skip the alcohol and the roller? My theory is no difference. If your interior walls are pretty clean and you press it on everywhere pretty well with your hands, it’s gonna stick just fine and dampen sound just fine. We did this on my daughter’s Transit with much less coverage than you did here. Basically, we just put a rectangular piece in the middle of each section of sheet metal without trying to shape it to fit or even get near the edges of the section. But on the wheel wells, we did 100% coverage - same as you. BTW, there was almost no material installed by the Ford factory. Comparing before and after, we noticed a significant improvement in road noise. Now we’ve insulated about half way so far with Thinsulate, and that is also another noticeable improvement. We built the floor already, and we’ve also built a bed platform entirely suspended from the walls using plus-nuts. So far, it’s pretty quiet inside while driving, and zero squeaks and rattles, even with all her personal stuff inside in various tubs and bins. We’re pretty happy with our results so far. Working on my daughter’s van is great daddy/daughter time, but also is good because I will be building a van for my wife and me in just a couple months from now.

[@velianlodestone1249]

100% coverage is useless, skipping the alcohol and roller are possible, but if you skip the alcohol you will need to make sure the surface is perfectly clean (microfiber towels and water, for example). You also need to wait longer for the surface to dry. Honestly the only thing this does (but I think it's the only thing it has to do) is stop rattling whilst driving. It does not do much for anything else.

[@swagonman]

@@velianlodestone1249 As an engineer, my understanding is that each panel of sheet metal can vibrate as you drive. It vibrates at its resonant frequency. You can use your knuckles to knock on the panel and hear the tone. Killmat recommends 25% coverage. When you add Killmat, you are simply adding weight, which lowers the resonant frequency. After you install Killmat, you can knock again and hear the difference. It is quieter and a lower pitch. On my van build, I used the knocking technique to decide where to place all the pieces of Killmat. It definitely works.

[@velianlodestone1249]

@@swagonman Exactly this! Most people commenting on this video seem to not get it; "Why would I do this". - It's simple. Higher resonant frequencies are more annoying, lower frequencies, less energetic; is a much more pleasant driving experience. Knocking as well as driving the van to hear the rattles.

[@swagonman]

@@velianlodestone1249 Therefore, if only half of the adhesion is good, it doesn’t matter because the added weight is still the same. Of course you want good adhesion because nobody wants it falling off. But everybody is over concerned about cleaning and using the rollers. This stuff is very sticky. So if your sheet metal isn’t greasy or coated with dust, most likely just sticking it up and pressing it firmly and getting air bubbles out, it will suffice.

[@swagonman]

@@velianlodestone1249 one more advice for everyone: sheet metal panels often have creases formed in them by the manufacturer. On my Transit roof, there are many creases. You need to treat every section of area between the creases individually. So you cut 25% coverage Killmat pieces to fit in every section. The knock test will confirm that this is necessary. I have never seen a KZbin video showing that this is important. But it definitely is if you want to get the most out of your expensive Killmat.

[@WaltersMercedesBenz]

Great start!

[@morenonesense]

Hey man, you mention in the beginning of the video that you're going to cover only 25% of the panel but then you actually cover more like 75%. What made you change you mind?

[@seven_o_savage]

I only had a few panels and a lot of time

[@bogged9820]

You'll find a closed cell foam layer does far more for sound deadening. Add a full coverage closed cell foam with a built in reflective barrier over the entire bodywork then a 3m Thinsulate > vapour barrier > ply > carpet. Most sound comes through the floor and wheel arches so you'll wanna add closed cell foam under the driver / passenger seats too, arches basically full coverage 7-10mm thick. The floor really needs to be well thought out mine are always 2" thick of various layers.

[@jenhalpin]

Bogged minicell?

[@tangwendeo]

how about Legend Fleet Sprinter Wheel Well Covers, set of 2 for 129 usd? and custom sprinter floor coverage Legend Fleet Sprinter Rubber Floor Mat ¼ “ for 303 usd? are these sufficient of sound blocking? www.commercialvanshelving.com/shop-by-vehicle/sprinter/wall-liners/legend-fleet-sprinter-wheel-well-covers-set-of-2/

[@ZGP]

Can you recommend a brand or amazon link for closed cell foam?

[@jenhalpin]

You used thinsulate last build, are you doing that again or...?

[@anmolagarwal7542]

Will you do the spray foam insulation too?

[@jenhalpin]

Excited to see your build process. Are you planning to post each week so we can follow along?

[@seven_o_savage]

👍 will be posting as I finish each project

[@onemanandhisdog9]

I'm undecided over sound deadening. You are going to add insulation which will be sound deadening itself and as you mention, it is heavy stuff.

[@onedaily2471]

You need to do 100% coverage on the floor and roof, if you are after maximum effect as those are the most important areas. Also, you need to do double layers over the wheels. Just covering the sheet metal doesn’t do much.

[@277kne]

I have a hard time finding alcohol on the shelves. Mostly 70% in the small container. It doesn't stay on the shelves very long. I want the 90% in large containers. Is there a shortage on the West Coast? I live in New England. Excellent van building and excellent video.

[@drott150]

Use acetone instead. You can get it in larger quantities and much cheaper at Lowes, Home Depot etc.

[@277kne]

@@drott150 I want to thin it out with some water for cleaning kitchen and bathroom. I thought acetone is very harsh. I will look into it. Thanks for the tip.

[@drott150]

@@277kne ​Ah, I thought you wanted to use it to do what seven-o was using it for. In that case, yes acetone is a strong solvent that can dissolve certain plastics and paints. So I would not use acetone as a kitchen cleaner. Stick with Windex (ammonia based) or other standard degreaser cleaning sprays (409 etc). But, isopropyl alcohol is very good for cutting grease in a really dirty kitchen that hasn't been cleaned in a ling time.

[@johnmca5643]

Cool......looks easy.

[@lunaumbra5179]

Very easy. And you really don't need as much as he put on. But if you go the less % coverage it is better to get the thicker products.

[@shegozbykaylajo763]

How many do I need to buy?

[@frankhorton7421]

Why did you not put any on the floor except on the wheelhouse. That is noisiest area

[@onedaily2471]

You need to do 100% coverage on the floor and roof, if you are after maximum effect as those are the most important areas.

[@JohnDrach]

The best before and after test for thos would have been on a dirt washboard road

[@kydeafie]

I don't need to worry about sound deadening since I am profoundly deaf. Ha... Anyway, I have a question, What makes you decided to buy Mercedes van? Why not the Ford Transit 250? I have trouble deciding which to buy. Hope you can help me make the decision.

[@jimc5624]

Honestly buying new most likely not much difference other than price. The bigger thing is what the warranty covers and where dealers are. Some other things are like what is available aftermarket, room side to side, standing height. So really personal preference

[@Almatrodi]

Why you didn't cover the whole area?

[@childish9132]

Put the alcohol in a lil sprayer bottle. Lot easier to handle

[@peterdods425]

I ALMOST SPIT OUT MY LUNCH AT YOUR. LOL PRETTY SIMILAR.

[@cornelbogdanmacrineanu7962]

Should have tested it on a country road to feel the difference

[@chefkendranguyen]

Hey man, with my other channel called CHEFLIFE VANLIFE I challenged you to a 40 question challenge if you're interested. If not, that's cool. I just wanted to let you know. :)

[@AmericanWireman]

This information could possibly fall Into the wrong hands 🤔

[@AhJodie]

You look familiar. But if that little amount tired you out 😭

[@flowrob6861]

Artic King duct insulation @ home depot lowes w o rks as sou b d deading insulation

[@_0O0O0O0_]

Haha. 2 days?

[@omnilife691]

Put a shirt on, have some respect for the viewers!

[@byronsoul1]

So many mistakes and lack of common sense but let's make videos showing people how to create something so simple Five minutes of hard work and you're tired lool

[@RobertSmith-os2zj]

I have no idea why people add this material. No one taps on my body panels while I’m driving .

[@lunaumbra5179]

It is more for the dragonflies at night flying around in the dark who slam into the van walls by accident. Don't wanna get woken up by them right?

[@johnbarclay88]

I couldn't even tell much difference between the two knocks.

[@lunaumbra5179]

@@johnbarclay88 I've done this to my van and also tried recording it. Sadly it doesn't show in video well. What it does is removed higher pitch frequencies and stops vibrations from lasting as long. So "echoes" die quicker. He really didn't need to put more deadening where factory already had it.

[@johnbarclay88]

@@lunaumbra5179 Thanks. I just came back to my comment because I have since watched a video on Margaret and Ladi's channel, where the difference in sound comes through more clearly, and so I wanted to say I now get it.

[@tadeuszgawron4748]

Bs

[@chriseudy4684]

Don't cut your hair ok

[@seven_o_savage]

Ok

[@chriseudy4684]

@@seven_o_savage never ever change that enthusiasm! When you get 200000 subs make some software to reply!

[@batchjs]

Can't watch these 7-0-Savage videos any longer. The broken and halting speech pattern used by the presenter is just simply too annoying. That annoying speech pattern overrules any wisdom that might be gained from watching. Un-subbed.

[@ericcoulson6218]

What are you talking about. Very smooth easy to understand, great information.