Road Noise

pdamski · 09-08-2004, 01:39 AM

[font=Arial:b12f9c674c] [/font:b12f9c674c]I remember that they used to spray an undercoating on the underbody
of a car to quiet down the road noise and protect from the elements
and salt in snow country. Is that product still available? Is the
Prius a candidate for undercoating?

I have only two complaints about this car. The first is the fuel
filling inconsistency and the second is the amount of road noise.
The noise is especially bad on the grooved highways in So Cal.

I realize that this would add some weight to the vehicle, which
might reduce milage. I also realize that the stuff they use to
undercoat cars is pretty toxic.

Would this void the warranty??

Inquiring minds want to know????

Pete D.
Simi Valley, CA

bruceha_2000 · 09-08-2004, 06:29 AM

I doubt it would void the warranty and I would be suspect of the claim it would noticably cut road noise. The undercoating was supposed to be a barrier to salty water on the roads and was no more than 1/8" thick if that.

They don't even do it here anymore. Maybe it is because cars are made better, with the underbody made of galvanized steel or somehow properly treated during manufacturing, I don't know.

What I do know is that the undercoating companies were only liable for the price you paid to have it done. One small area of metal not covered would let salty water in, to be trapped by the undercoating. It would rust, unseen, worse than if the treatment had never been done. Since it wasn't visible, once the damage was finally spotted, it cost WAY more to repair than the companies had to cover.

Frank Hudon · 09-08-2004, 09:32 AM

a lot of the road noise comes from the All Season tires if your in S Cal you might consider a different tire tread type. The Prius has some selectively applied polymer under coating on it already. Not a lot and only in certain spots. You might consider some Dyna Mat in areas such as doors and floor boards. If you do a search on DynaMat you'll probably turn up a post here on PC about it. Back in Feb or March there was a longish post on it in the Audio forum.

RobertO · 09-10-2004, 10:31 AM

Previous string on this last year.

Not a good ideal. If you look under the car, you'll see they did a great layout of components, with a lot of thought put into rustproofing critical components.

Indiscriminate application of undercoating on this car is problematic, could give you grief later.

I passed on undercoating for this reason, have seen no evidence of rust or other component breakdown (I live near Seattle - sometimes it rains here)

Tom · 09-11-2004, 10:11 PM

There was a string, Search: "soundproofing"

This product looked good to me, It appears to be water based and sturdy when dry. Go to: http://www.quietcoat.com/html/products.html

Best, Tom.

DaveinOlyWA · 09-11-2004, 11:33 PM

not worth it...

my sis works in the service department at major dealership in south sound and she does not recommend it... realize that she only told me because i am related to her...

she does highly recommend paint sealer though. she says taht is best thing you can do for a new car.

09-08-2004, 01:39 AM	#1
pdamski Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 17 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Road Noise [font=Arial:b12f9c674c] [/font:b12f9c674c]I remember that they used to spray an undercoating on the underbody of a car to quiet down the road noise and protect from the elements and salt in snow country. Is that product still available? Is the Prius a candidate for undercoating? I have only two complaints about this car. The first is the fuel filling inconsistency and the second is the amount of road noise. The noise is especially bad on the grooved highways in So Cal. I realize that this would add some weight to the vehicle, which might reduce milage. I also realize that the stuff they use to undercoat cars is pretty toxic. Would this void the warranty?? Inquiring minds want to know???? Pete D. Simi Valley, CA

09-08-2004, 06:29 AM	#2
bruceha_2000 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: South Burlington, VT Posts: 2,570 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 6 Thanked 24 Times in 20 Posts Friends: 1	I doubt it would void the warranty and I would be suspect of the claim it would noticably cut road noise. The undercoating was supposed to be a barrier to salty water on the roads and was no more than 1/8" thick if that. They don't even do it here anymore. Maybe it is because cars are made better, with the underbody made of galvanized steel or somehow properly treated during manufacturing, I don't know. What I do know is that the undercoating companies were only liable for the price you paid to have it done. One small area of metal not covered would let salty water in, to be trapped by the undercoating. It would rust, unseen, worse than if the treatment had never been done. Since it wasn't visible, once the damage was finally spotted, it cost WAY more to repair than the companies had to cover. __________________ Bruce Mine: Driftwood '04 BC 24 Sept 2004 - added: mudflaps, door edge guards, side panel moldings, Coastal Tech EV switch, HakkapelittaRSi tires, WeatherTech window deflectors. Last tank - 15 Dec '09: 428.8 miles - MFD MPG: 45.5 Actuals Lifetime: 98340 miles, 49.03 MPG. Wife's: Barcelona '06 #7 May 2006 - added: front mudflaps, Coastal Tech EV switch. Hakkapelitta RSi tires. Last tank - 22 Aug '09: 395.5 miles - MFD MPG: 53.6 Actuals Lifetime: 35708 miles, 45.33 MPG.

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09-08-2004, 09:32 AM	#3
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	a lot of the road noise comes from the All Season tires if your in S Cal you might consider a different tire tread type. The Prius has some selectively applied polymer under coating on it already. Not a lot and only in certain spots. You might consider some Dyna Mat in areas such as doors and floor boards. If you do a search on DynaMat you'll probably turn up a post here on PC about it. Back in Feb or March there was a longish post on it in the Audio forum.

09-10-2004, 10:31 AM	#4
RobertO Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 215 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Previous string on this last year. Not a good ideal. If you look under the car, you'll see they did a great layout of components, with a lot of thought put into rustproofing critical components. Indiscriminate application of undercoating on this car is problematic, could give you grief later. I passed on undercoating for this reason, have seen no evidence of rust or other component breakdown (I live near Seattle - sometimes it rains here)

09-11-2004, 10:11 PM	#5
Tom Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 32 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	There was a string, Search: "soundproofing" This product looked good to me, It appears to be water based and sturdy when dry. Go to: http://www.quietcoat.com/html/products.html Best, Tom.

09-11-2004, 11:33 PM	#6
DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 12,824 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 39 Thanked 189 Times in 162 Posts Friends: 12	not worth it... my sis works in the service department at major dealership in south sound and she does not recommend it... realize that she only told me because i am related to her... she does highly recommend paint sealer though. she says taht is best thing you can do for a new car.