I've bought a new carpet kit as well as new diamond vinyl panels for my 240Z. While I have the old ones stripped out, what would be the best material to use in place of the jute padding to create a moisture barrier as well as sound deadening?

I'll be looking to do something similar to my 280Z soon.

What I've come up with so far is to line the interior surfaces (floor, rear deck, door skins, rear sheetmetal interior) with a "asphalt paper" product called Q-Pad (my thanks to Kmack for this info, I think). This is the same stuff that was used in strategic locations by the factory. It's quite thin compared to foam padding and I'm sure more durable.

The thing that attracts me most to this method is ease of installation and the fact that these pads won't hold moisture and cause rust.

The downside may be that once installed they'll be difficult to remove and you'll be adding some weight. I believe the 12" square pads weigh about 1 pound each.

Here's their web page:

http://www.uschem.com/products/index.html

Victoria British sells a product in 4ft X 6ft sections for 29.95. It;s 3/8" fiber tech padding covered on one side with aluminum to reflect heat and act also as a sound deadener. POR-15 would certainly be generously applied to the whole inside of the floor area, toe boards and up the trans tunnel as a beginning of the moisture barrier.

I plan to go with a real sound deadener like Dynamat or BQuiet. It won't be close to "original" but not much will be in my car so whatever. This will be my daily driver so I'd really like it to be quiet - or as close as possible..'

Michael

GunnerRob, I believe it was EScanlon that used the Qpads, but thanks for the ID plug!

What I used on mine was a double lined foam pad. This foam is rather dense and has a fairly durable liner on both sides. I got a 8' x 12' piece from my neighbor (they pulled it out of their house from under the carpet and were throwing it away). Sprayed some adhesive spray down on the trans-tunnel and it fits the contours nicely. Also adds a little padding to the vinyl trim.

The website mentioned by gunner Rob has nothing related to padding...they list epoxies, waxes, fillers, coatings and cleaners as their products (uschem).

Bill, you're right.

And my apologies(sp?) to everyone.

The link I posted doesn't take you to the proper page. But, from the that page select usc/morton/cargroom, then accessories. On this page you'll find a group of products. Select USC's sound control pads and you're there.

I hope this helps.

BTW, this web site is finicky so be patient.

I think this question really needs to be broken down a bit more before a generalized answer can be given.

The Jute padding in use underneath the transmission vinyl is used PRIMARILY for Heat Insulation, although it also serves as a sound attenuator.

The Tar Paper on the floor pan is PRIMARILY a Sound Attenuator although it does give a bit of thermal insulation.

In the case of the Jute Padding, it is putting a multi layer air and material substance to block the heat and sound. The "dead" air spaces cause the thermal energy to lose energy as it passes from level to level. The sound is mitigated the same way.

The Tar Paper on the other hand, is reducing the harmonic vibration of the metal by adding a viscous layer to the metal. This in essence is simply like putting a damper on a vibrating piece of metal, it quiets it by reducing the vibrations that metal can do. Just like a speaker cone, put your finger on a speaker as it plays and see if the sound doesn't diminish. The thermal insulation it offers is simply due to the increased thickness and the difference in the thermal properties of the materials (steel vs tar).

Now, to answer your question, and you'll see why I had to explain the "obvious".

I just did this, this past summer.

I removed the complete interior and sandblasted the metal. I followed that with the proper metal cleaning and preparation for a total POR paint job all over the floor pan. From the Cowl Bucket to the Tail Lights. I used POR for rust proofing and as a MOISTURE BARRIER to prevent further rusting.

I then followed this up with Q-Pads. Again from the front to the back, as well as inside the doors and fenders, even inside the tool boxes. Yes, they are a bit on the heavy side, but I wanted QUIET and not LIGHT WEIGHT. This gave me SOUND INSULATION.

I saved and reused my original jute padding for the transmission tunnel, but I had investigated a couple options.

First off, you can still get jute. The problem comes in in trying to cut it to shape.

Next option is an item that is called Reconstituted Foam Rubber. This is basically pieces of Sponge Rubber that have been glued together to form a sheet. Most commonly seen as under carpet padding. This is more resilient than the single sheet of new foam as it won't tear as easy.

Another option is to use the item mentioned by St. Stephen, or another one that uses "bubble" wrap instead of fiber. Both of these will provide THERMAL insulation primarily, the sound attenuation, although there, will be less than that offered by the Q-Pads.

My carpetting already had some thick padding sewn into it, and I also added the car mats. So I have about an 1-1/2" of carpetting on the main floor pan and about 3/4" everywhere else. The Transmission tunnel has both the Q-Pad AND the original Jute and the vinyl. The rear wheel wells have just the vinyl. The reason for just the vinyl there is that the metal is double thickness and very little heat / sound is transmitted through there.

If you ride in my car today, you would be surprised at how QUIET it is. Granted, I still have to get the rear end and the tranny overhauled, but that's next on the list.

For What It's Worth, hope it helps someone.

Enrique Scanlon

I've not used this, and I have heard GREAT things about it. However, one of the things I've heard about it is it's cost.

A package of Q-Pads with 6 12"x12" squares is about $20.00 U.S. at my local Paint Store.

A quick check of Eastwood says Quiet Pads 12"x12" box of 5 = $19.99 US. Granted they also sell it in two other variations, Original and Hood Liner.

For my purposes it was cheaper to go with the Q-Pads.

2¢

So as I understand the discussion, 'Q-Pads" are different from "Dynamat Quiet Pads"??? Does anyone know the manufacturer of the "Q-Pads"? or the differences between the two? I'd like to compare the composition of the two items prior to choosing one over the other.

Thanks for any insight that you can share.

Carl

Q-Pads are manufactured by Fibre Glass Evercoat Company, or simply Evercoat.

They are simply Tar with a thin film on the outside and adhesive on the back. You peel off the protective plastic film to expose the adhesive and adhere it to wherever you are mounting it to. They cut quite readily with a utility knife although I found it easier to use a rotary blade cutter. (Available at fabric shops and EXTREMELY sharp!) If shaping or moulding is required a simple hair drier or heat gun works very well. Additionally heating them causes the adhesive to adhere more firmly.

I've heard that Dynomat has an additional layer of fibre within it, but have not seen the actual product.

2¢

EScanlon:

So then these Q-Pads are similar to the tar/mat stuff that was OE on the 240Z floors? What kind of store waould sell these? Home Depot? Orchard Supply Hardware? or ???

The Eastwood Co info on the Dynamat Quiet Pads says they are .070" thick, but doesn't specifiy materials. I can't get the URL to copy correctly, but if you go to www.eastwoodcompany.com and search on "Quiet Pads" you'll see the product.

Thanks for the info you've shared!

I bought mine at the Paint Store. Now granted, this one has both Automotive and House paint as well as all the different types of body working materials you want.

I would check for a automotive paint supply house, ask them if they have products by Evercoat. (They also produce Plastic Body Filler (aka Bondo except BONDO is a trademark name). Then ask specifically for the Q-Pads and describe them as tar paper pads.

As far as being the "original" stuff, well, it's as close as I could find. Granted Datsun used a single sheet / cutout for each of the floor pans and hatch area, and you'll have to piece it together, but I'm happy with it. I also applied it OVER the POR so I won't be making the same mistake that Datsun did by applying it over plain galvanized metal.

I don't recall who or where I got the information about Dynamat having some fiber inside. Like I said, I've not used their product and therefore can't really comment on it.

I went mainly for ease of purchasing it, and price.

2¢