Monday 30 October 2006

A "simple" sound proof option..

When I did my all-round RDS, I realised 2 things.

1. The OEM door trim is removed and felt sayang to throw away.

2. Need to open and trim the plastic side panels that will eventually "grab" onto RDS. This include the rear panel that's very hollow internally.

And as inspired by the new Camry, I saw its front fender is sound proof with certain material that I'm gonna go through next... ;D

Project: Sound proofing for rear side panel, applicable to fender and boot lid.. ;D same concept.

Time: Lost count.. :P

Material: Styrofoam, OEM Avanza door trim, double sided adhesive tape.

Cost: Almost free.. ;D

Tools: Cutter, screwdriver, pen knife and a pair of "skillful hands".. :P

Steps:

1. Remove the panel. There's two plastic clip fastening the panel to the cabin floor. Must first remove the clip. Then its all cabut-tarik-kind-of clip.. ;D

Warning: Do not need to remove the cup holder and other storage tray on the panel because unlike our door, its all screwed from inside. I tried cabut the trays and broke its internal mount. A "price" I had to pay but learn from mistake.. :'(

After the panel is removed, this is how it looks like:




2. Cut the door trim into short strips with cutter, and put on the double side tape, like this:




3. Then stick the strips to the fender one by one. Make sure u don't remove the tape protector at first. There's some contour on the fender u need to bend the strip at certain "curvy" area.. ;D

Then remove the protector by an inch, press it onto the fender, then pull the protector away while pressing the strip onto the fender surface. This will ensure the strip stay on where you want it to be to avoid "sticky" mistakes.. ;D

I decided to stick them vertical so if really water masuk, it will not takong air and become mosquito beeding place.. ;D

Then it will look this this:


4. After all the strips has gone it, then its stuffing time like the Thanksgiving turkey stuffing.. ;D with styrofoam pieces.. ;D and it will look like this:



Make sure u don't block the air vent at the bottom of the fender (put your hand in and you can touch it, in the fender area, under the tail light, toward the bumper). If that's blocked, closing of door can be a hassle and can potentially cause window breakage due to closing door pressure, may even break a baby's ear drum... :o So make sure there are gaps in between the styrofoam for air to escape through the air vent.

5. Then put back the panel lor.. ;D

Why styrofoam? Its the prefect material for sound proof and heat proof for hollow area. That's why Camry uses it for its from fender. Just open its front door and peep inside the fender through the door gap.. ;D

Styrofoam is a near weight-less material and is water proof. Its being used for many applications like thermo flask, Coleman, cyclist helmet, fish tank padding.. ;D

Can't use it for our doors unless you don't intend to open your windows.. :P

Good "trash" recycling project yah.. ;)