When driving, it’s important to react as fast as possible in case of an emergency to avoid devastating crash/accidents on the road. However, a study published on (NCBI website), on The Effect of Road Traffic Noise on Reaction Time, found out that road/traffic noise resulted to the increase in reaction time in the event of an emergency when driving.
To reduce road and traffic noise in cars, it important to soundproof your car.
Some of the popular soundproofing materials for vehicles is Lizard Skin, Dynamat, SoundSkins, and Hushmat. Reducing road noise will significantly lower reaction time, allowing you to make quick decision in split seconds. But what is the main difference between Lizard Skin versus Dynamat?
Two coatings of LizardSkin provide a thickness between 0.40 and 0.60 inches. The thickness of Dynamat is just 0.067 inches. The thickness of LizardSkin provides it an advantage versus Dynamat, but the material difference modifies makes Dynamat more effective.
Lizard skin overview
LizardSkin is a brand of vehicle insulation and acoustic dampening (damping) solutions that protect surfaces and minimize heat and noise for vehicles of all sizes. Since 2005, Mascoat, the industry leader in insulation coatings, has tested the coatings on thousands of automobiles.
This is a reliable and effective product when it comes to soundproofing. The noise insulating spray can be applied to any part inside the car to reduce the noise from the road.
The product is applied with the help of a spray gun, and once it adheres to the interior of the car, it deadens most of the sound.
Lizard Skins Company advises you to use it with ceramic insulation to aid in thermal insulation and a top coat to give a glossy finish.
However, the two instructions don’t play any role in soundproofing, meaning that it is not compulsory to use them unless you are also focused on thermal insulation.
The advantage of ceramic thermal insulation is that it has the ability off withstanding temperatures of up to 500-degree Fahrenheit.
This will keep the temperature inside your car cooler, especially during the summer season.
The thermal insulation is a spray-on solution, thus easy to apply. The lizard skins can be applied on the interior door of your car, inside the floor, trunk, or bottom of the car.
Lizard skin comes in 2-gallon buckets, and the company recommends that you use a double coat with a thickness of 0.40” to 0.60”. The application is easy, and the instructions given are easy to understand.
They provide a marker to measure the thickness. You will need 4 gallons for an average car even though they estimate 6 gallons for a hardtop car.
An advantage of lizard skin is that the spray is durable and lasts long. The material is water-based, and there won’t be any odor after installing it. It is effective in reducing the noise coming from outside and heat resistant properties.
Advantages?
- It is water-based and hence harmless for you and the environment.
- Outstanding attenuation of irritating rattles, vibrations, and road sounds.
- Improves stereo sound quality non-toxic
- Durable and simple to apply on any automotive part
Dynamat Overview
Dynamat is a material used to dampen noise and vibrations. It is typically used in automobiles to reduce road noise and rattles. It can also be used in homes and office buildings to reduce noise from HVAC systems, appliances, and other sources.
The product is made of viscoelastic material that absorbs energy and then slowly releases it. This makes it effective at reducing both low-frequency and high-frequency noise. It is also relatively easy to install, making it a popular choice for many applications.
Dynamat outperforms other brands and outshines sprays with its overall performance.
The downside is that the material is costly when compared with other products, and it can be up to 40% higher. Because of this reason, many people opt to look for an alternative.
It is effective when it comes to reducing echoes, thus improving the quality of the music in your car. Dynamat Xtreme is the commonly used product in soundproofing cars and can dampen the sound by 9-12dB.
If you are on a low budget, buy Dynamat Xtreme then cut it to fit your car.
The other product is Dynapad, and it is more effective even though it is very thick and tiresome to cut. It is best when used on car floors.
Dynamat boasts its extreme performance that outdoes all other brands. It is not asphalt-based, so you have less to worry about the smell.
Advantages:
- Dynamat also deadens road noise, making for a more pleasant driving experience.It’s easy to install and can be cut to fit any space.
- It significantly reduces unwanted vibrations and makes for a clearer, more dynamic sound.
- It’s also great for reducing engine noise in cars with aftermarket exhaust systems.
Preparation- Lizard Skin & Dynamat
Dynamat does not need a lot of preparations, and you can apply in steps by installing one part at a time, e.g., the door, floor, and the rest of the car parts.
It involves partial installation that can be done in stages.
Lizard skin, on the other hand, you will have to pull the entire interior out so that the spray does not ruin them.
In terms of preparation, Dynamat is the better option to go for.
Material thickness
The thickness of the material is an important factor to consider when it comes to soundproofing projects.
For the lizard skin, you will find that after the two coats, it thicker at 0.40 to 0.60 inches while Dynamat measures 0.067” in thickness. In terms of thickness, lizard skin is better than Dynamat, but according to the nature of the materials, Dynamat is the best.
Purchasing Cost
Compared to Lizard Skin, Dynamat is unquestionably the more costly product.
Regarding installation & application, Dynamat is far easier to install and use than Lizard Skin.
If you are handling the Lizard Spraying on your own, you will want a spray gun and an air compressor and. These two tools considerably enhance your budget.
You must have a budget ranging from $ 450-600 exclusive of the labor cost. Lizard skin, on the other hand, will only require around $100- 200 less.
If you are on a low budget, consider going for the lizard skin, but if some extra coins to spend, then you can go for the dynamat.
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- How to reduce wind noise in your vehicle
- Quietest electric fuel pump
Installation
The two products are very different in terms of the installation process. With the help of a spray gun, it is easy to apply lizard skin.
With no spray gun, the whole process will turn out messy and difficult to handle.
The company recommends 6 gallons, but you can use 4 gallons. If your car is average, you can imagine applying 4 gallons without a spray gun; it could be such a tiresome job. You may have to call an expert to do the spraying for you. Since dynamat is made of thick material, it can be cumbersome to cut, especially without the required skills.
You have to measure the area correctly because once you make a mistake, there are gaps that since the mat will not cover the expected area.
If you have never installed a Dynamat before, consider seeking guidance as an expert. Lizard’s skin is more ease to install than a Dynamat.
Effectiveness of the product
Dynamat boasts its efficacy in dampening noise. The only thing making them be purchased frequently is its high price. However, this does not mean that the other similar products are poor performance.
For instance, sound skins perform just like the Dynamat but come at a lower price than the dynamat, and many people prefer them because of their performance.
Finish and Coverage
If you correctly spray the lizard skin, there is no possibility of leaving gaps or seams. However, there is a risk that the bolts and nuts could get jammed. It covers all the areas, including the frames and ribs, with less strain.
Dynamat, on the other hand, may end up leaving seams and gaps, especially if you did not measure correctly when cutting.
It is nearly impossible to cover all the areas since it mainly covers the body section of a car. For a better finish, consider using lizard skin to avoid leaving seams or gaps.
Final Thoughts
There you go, a detailed guide of Lizard Skin Vs. Dynamat comparison. If you need to opt for a sound deadening mat to reduce road/wind noise in car, then Dynamat is your best bet.
On the other hand, Lizard Skin is a great soundproofing spray and also a perfect alternative to Dynamat.
References:
Meet Mike O’Connor, (a DIY enthusiast), living in Cincinnati, a city ranked as the noisiest in the USA.
As a work from home dad, I have a first hand experience of how noise can truly affect your well being.
Soundproofing isn’t something that should be taken as a hobby, it should be a skill that every homeowner should be equipped with.
Most of the work documented on this blog comes from purely first hand experience, and the products recommended work as indicated.