Sound Deadening a 5th Gen Prelude – Part 1

I’ll start by saying I love driving my Prelude – It’s 25 years old but looks and drives like it’s a newer vehicle.  That said, the elimination of road noise could be better.

If you’re on a budget, I recommend Kilmat, for the price I figured it’s worth a try over Dynamat.   It’s $67 for 50ft², I found it on promo for $57 but let me tell you, 50ft² is more than enough!

I started this as Part 1, I did the floor first.  I plan on doing the roof, trunk and doors in Part 2 – because after removing the entire floor interior, seats and all, this is more than a one-day job, “and I ain’t kiddin’ ya” #vgg

Tools & Material:

• Kilmat 50mil thickness (50ft² should be plenty, I have lots left over which should cover the trunk and roof, I hope)
• Roller
• Philips screwdriver for center console screws (don’t forget the two in the front, under the removable carpet panels)
• 10mm, 11mm, 14mm sockets
• Ratchet (air or manual, air is quicker)
• Knife to cut the mat

Disassembly is pretty straight forward

• Remove Front & Rear Seats
• Remove Center Console
• Remove upper trim over the trunk access hole behind rear seats
• Remove rear inner quarter panels and upper rear window trim
• After removing rear seats, peel the carpet forward.  You can remove it, but there’s little carpet strips attaching it over the center hump – I didn’t want to cut the one in the very front to facilitate removing the carpet, so I worked around having the carpet still in the car.
• You will unbolt the e-brake & cable mounts and center console bracket but you can cross that bridge when you get there.

Make sure you note where all the bolt holes are before you cover them up.  Once the mat is down, cut a circle in the mat for each bolt hole.

Don’t cover any wires! Go under/around.

It would be a good time to adjust the e-brake when you go to put everything back together (if needed), since it’s easily accessible.

I left the huge black stiffeners attached under the rear seats – you risk them not going back on if you remove them.  100% mat coverage is not required, they say 30% is enough, but I’m going for as much as possible.

Start in the middle work your way out.  Smooth it out and use a roller to press it down firmly, the little dimples in the foil backing will smooth out when you’ve adequately rolled it.  You don’t want any air bubbles, which would allow moisture to settle in and eventually start providing you with weight reduction (ie: rust).

Under the carpet there are rubber mats on the driver and passenger side front.  Remove them.  You’ll apply the Kilmat directly over the existing material (there’s mild sound deadening already applied at the factory, looks like a rubber coating that’s been painted over).  Reinstall the rubber mats before putting the carpet back down.

 

 

End Result

Promising!  My initial test drive around the block was noticeable, when I got on the highway I could immediately tell a difference.  It’s not a huge difference but it’s definitely substantial.  I felt like I was driving a heavier, well sound-proofed car.  It was weird.  Was it worth it?  Yes!  I’m looking forward to the results after lining the trunk/doors/roof.