Quick Secondskin review/comparison...

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Hey guys. Im at the sound deadening stage in my blazer project and I thought Id share a quick review of SS's damplifier pro, as Ive done alot of dampening before, but never with this product.

Ive used mat deadening from dynamat original and super to the mcmaster-carr mat thats basically identical to dynamat original. Ive also used various spray on deadeners and even my own concrete concoction. But Im most use to working with the mcmaster/dynamat original stuff. Its good stuff, goes on easy once you learn to work it well with a heat gun, and it mass loads well and deadens decently.

Well I decided to try some secondskin damp pro on my new blazer project, so I ordered 100 sq ft of it in addition to a small amount of the mcmaster stuff as a filler and where I need a bit more mass loading.

To make a long story short, in installing this stuff (still a long ways from done tho lol), I had a metal panel that butted up a piece of the mcmaster/dynamat stuff to the damplifier pro. Same panel, the two pieces met basically in the center of it, just doing the tap-tap-tap method with my hands, fingernails and small tools, the damplifier side was noticeable quieter, and a lower frequency thump. Noticeably better. I was surprised, I didnt expect to be able to hear a difference in such a limited test. This ignores the fact that I already know it will be a better sound barrier as well. All this from a material that goes on easier with a roller and zero need for a heat gun, and is considerably thinner than the mcmaster/dynamat stuff. Impressive to say the least. Ive since removed the mcmaster stuff and covered the entire panel with damplifier.

Ive been a big proponent of the mcmaster stuff since I found it (and found it was such a cheap alternative to the dynamat, which is -exactly- the same), but clearly this SS damplifier puts it to shame. Of course the damp is more money, but the results are noticeably improved. The mcmaster stuff is still a good low cost alternative, and an excellent all-purpose mass loader however.

Im excited about getting the blazer on the road. Ive owned other blazers just like this one Id covered completely in mcmaster stuff, so I have a good reference. Is the secondskin damplifier pro worth the money? In my mind, no question it is, only a question of if you are willing to invest that much in this part of your project. BTW, iirc I payed something around $2.50 a sqft for the damplifier pro. Dont quote me on that price, if someone wants a more specific price I can dig up the receipt.

Also, I have 2 gallons of the spectrum v2 sitting here I'll be applying to the roof and various places in the truck. As I said before, Ive used some sprays like Stinger and Rockford noisekillers, so I have experience. I'll post my results of how I feel the spectrum stands up to those other products once I use it.

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[AcidicDreams 10+ year member]

not a bad price considering paying for 100sq ft from the website would cost $695

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Looked it up, was $285 + $25 shipping for the 100 feet of damp pro. I got the CAF member discount, and he discounted some of the shipping fees (on other items), but other than that I believe I payed regular cost (again, CAF member discounted tho). But of course price is at SS's discretion, so the price I payed isn't necessarily the price someone else would pay. Including other items, I bought alot of stuff. But even if the price were more, Im sure it would be no where near $7 a foot. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[swaptrex 10+ year member]

how do you get the forum member discount??

 

[Anthony Collova 10+ year member]

great revie. glad you liked the mateil. you are correct, second skin damplifier is not the cheapest mat online. there are plenty of inexpensive brands out there that do very well for the money.in my opiknion, damp pro is a better value than regular damplifier. the foil is 25% thicker, and the ahesve is thicker as well. let us know how the spectrum goes on. Ant

 

[AcidicDreams 10+ year member]

second skind damp pro... from the website

12 Sq. Ft. 90.00

20 Sq. Ft. 150.00

36 Sq. Ft. 250.00

??

ahh nm... under "product specials" I see

12 Sq. Ft. 45.00

20 Sq. Ft. 75.00

36 Sq. Ft. 125.00

much better pricing //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif still comes out around 347 but maybe you have to call them + member discount (prob about 20%) would bring it right down to that level... hell that makes it affordable... Edead v1 SE is 150 (minus discount) for 100sq ft... but at that price I'd prob go with damp pro...

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

I dont want to step on Ant's toes, as pricing is up to him, and I did order alot of stuff so Im sure he did me right (I know he helped on shipping if nothing else, plus the regular discount), but Im sure he could hook you guys up with at least a similar deal. The stuff is great, loving it already and I barely have 25% of it even on the truck yet (been a busy weekend).

No damp pro is not the cheapest out there, but when you consider the performance difference, its easy to justify paying more, so long as its within your budget.

I have to admit when I first got the damp pro and saw how thin it was (compared to like the mcmaster stuff), I was concerned. But after seeing the difference it made between the two pieces just in my little experiment here, the performance is up there where I was hoping, and the thin profile is only an added bonus.

I'll be sure to post my results after spraying the spectrum, and after I complete the entire deadening project. Like I said above, this isnt the first blazer like this Ive done this too, using other products, so I have a good idea what to expect and what to hope for. So far, Im very pleased.

 

[AcidicDreams 10+ year member]

I'd buy from an authorized retail guy if I got those prices... I feel jipped paying $100 for 2 gal of edead when I could have got 5 of spectrum for 145... doh!

 

[sesand]

I'm a bit curious to find out what I'm getting into before the product arrives in the mail, so I thought up a few questions. Hope someone can answer these...

How long should you wait for it to dry before adding a second coat? How long before putting your carpet back in (I think Ant told me 24 hrs for Arizona, but probably more like 2 days for Ohio - correct me if I heard you wrong)? If it's snowing out, should I wait till a 50 degree day rolls around?

Does it help to use a fan during the drying process (I will turn on the car heater, but I won't want to leave it run for too long)?

What kind of ventilation is necessary just for applying the product? Should I use a mask? Is there a smell? I plan on wearing long clothes that I can throw away after I'm done and gloves for if it gets messy.

I bought the B-stock, which is supposed to be too thick to spray. Does this mean I should probably buy a roller to go along with the paint brush for application, or will a paint brush do the trick?

Thanks in advance - I can't wait to put this stuff in!

Steve

 

[AcidicDreams 10+ year member]

I'm a bit curious to find out what I'm getting into before the product arrives in the mail, so I thought up a few questions. Hope someone can answer these...
How long should you wait for it to dry before adding a second coat? How long before putting your carpet back in (I think Ant told me 24 hrs for Arizona, but probably more like 2 days for Ohio - correct me if I heard you wrong)? If it's snowing out, should I wait till a 50 degree day rolls around?

Does it help to use a fan during the drying process (I will turn on the car heater, but I won't want to leave it run for too long)?

What kind of ventilation is necessary just for applying the product? Should I use a mask? Is there a smell? I plan on wearing long clothes that I can throw away after I'm done and gloves for if it gets messy.

I bought the B-stock, which is supposed to be too thick to spray. Does this mean I should probably buy a roller to go along with the paint brush for application, or will a paint brush do the trick?

Thanks in advance - I can't wait to put this stuff in!

Steve

I'd wait 24 hours to apply coat two.. it'll likely be a couple days before it dries totally hard.. no need for long gloves and such, just buy some regular gloves to keep you hands clean... as for application use a paint brush or roller... I prefer hand spreading though.. it's not as pretty but it's thicker and faster

 

[UndercoverPunk 5,000+ posts]

How long should you wait for it to dry before adding a second coat? How long before putting your carpet back in (I think Ant told me 24 hrs for Arizona, but probably more like 2 days for Ohio - correct me if I heard you wrong)? If it's snowing out, should I wait till a 50 degree day rolls around?

I'd wait till it's warmer, or load your garage with space heaters...

Ant told me 24 to 36 hours...

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

When i used the thicker Spectrum...like the VERY first batch he made when it was in trial stages, we just caked it in...ONE BIG THICK layer. It worked great, put half a gallon on my buddie's trunk lid and it was NOTICEABLY better...much less rattle. peace

NG

 

[sesand]

So I should essentially just apply it thicker to regions where I need more protection? Is this better than using the mutiple thin coat method? I know thick application is typically a no-no for paiting - you're just asking for it to crack off...

I really don't care how it looks, so the hand-spreading may be an option, especially on the floor. I plan on covering it with some type of padding/insulation (probably extra heat-shield from the hood since I ordered it in bulk). I can always use the brush to touch it up.....

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Ive not used the spectrum yet, but every other liquid deadener Ive used preferred to be applied in multiple thinner coats rather than one thick one. Ive found if its too thick it doesn't cure well all the way through. The spectrum may be different tho I dont know.

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

Ive not used the spectrum yet, but every other liquid deadener Ive used preferred to be applied in multiple thinner coats rather than one thick one. Ive found if its too thick it doesn't cure well all the way through. The spectrum may be different tho I dont know.

let me know how that spectrum works out. i'm thinking about getting a 5 gallon pail and painting my whole jeep without using any mat. you think it will stop my rattles?