When it comes to quieting road noise in a car, sound-deadening mats are a very popular solution. There are also ways in which you can spray the interior surface of a car with sound-deadening materials, but only a handful of people know about this.
However, in this article, I’ll compare two of the most effective sound-deadening materials on the market. If you’re unsure about which one would be best for your vehicle, then this article will benefit you!
Each one of these products has its own advantages and disadvantages. The first question people tend to ask is: Which material is better?
Based on my own opinion and experience, I think that Dynamat does a decent job at sound-deadening, but at a pretty high cost, and it tends to be a bit difficult to work with. The Lizard Skin is very easy to apply and can cover many more areas of the vehicle, with the only downside being that it can get a bit messy.
Buy Lizard Skin Sound Control online
Buy Dynamat Xtreme sound-deadening mats online
Lizard Skin vs. Dynamat – Comparison Table
| Dynamat | Lizard Skin | |
|---|---|---|
| The preparation | Install in areas that need the sound-deadening applied. | Make sure the entire interior is completely stripped, as the spray can ruin it, if not. |
| Ease of Application | May be a bit difficult to cut and apply. | Spraying the paint is pretty quick and easy, but can be a little messy. You'll need a spray gun. |
| The coverage | It covers the body, but isn't able to cover all the gaps. | Able to cover the ribs, the frames and the entire body of the vehicle. |
| The finish | There are a few cases of gaps and seams. | No seams or gaps. However, there is a risk of nuts and bolts getting stuck. |
| Price | $$$$ | $$$ |
| Thickness | Less thick at 0.067 inches (about 1.7 millimeters). | Thicker at 0.40 to 0.60 inches (approx. 10 to 15 millimeters). |
Understanding the main difference between both products is very important to making an informed purchase.
Lizard Skin Sound Control
This sound control product is often used with a topcoat and ceramic insulation. The ceramic insulation is meant for thermal insulation, while the topcoat is meant for aesthetics; it gives the whole thing durability and a glossy finish.
If you’re intending to use all three products together, you must know that the cost will be much higher than that of using just Dynamat.
You don’t have to use all three products together, though, as they’re not all compulsory for deadening. The Lizard Skin Control can be used for soundproofing your car on its own.
This product is sold in two-gallon buckets and the company also recommends two coats at a thickness of 0.4 to 0.6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 millimeters). A marker to measure the thickness is also provided. Generally, you’ll need at least four gallons of Lizard Skin Sound Control for an average car, and an estimated six gallons for a hardtop car. You can use this link to check the company’s calculator.
How to Prepare Lizard Skin Sound Control
Before you begin to spray your car, you should know that partial installation isn’t an option, so once you decide to start, you’ll have to do the entire car. I’ve only seen a handful of people do a DIY job with Lizard Skin Sound Control. I think the best idea is to get a professional to do the job, as they’ll dismantle the appropriate parts of your vehicle to apply the spray effectively.
You’ll need a mixing kit that can be attached to a power drill, because the liquid must be mixed before it’s applied to your vehicle. Another thing you’ll need is a spray gun, and it’s best to use one designed by the same company.
Before you apply the Lizard Skin Sound Control, you’ll first need to protect all the important parts of the vehicle. You can use masking tape to cover things such as bolts, nuts, and holes. If you ignore this, you’ll have a hard time removing the coating from these parts.
It’s best if you protect all the surrounding areas with a plastic sheet, as you would before starting any other paint or spray job.
How to Apply the Product
You can start with a small area. It’s best to confirm with the marker that the thickness is correct, and then go ahead and add the first coat to an entire area. Repeat this process for each surface, but make sure you wait patiently for at least an hour before adding the second coat.
Pros
- No cutting is required, so no risk of cutting the skin
- No moisture trap
- Very cheap to install, compared to Dynamat
- All areas of the body, frames and ribs are covered, which means no parts are left out
- The installation process is easy and doesn’t require much time
Cons
- The task may be a bit difficult for some, so I recommend getting professional help
- Painting your vehicle can get messy if you aren’t careful
- Can ruin your vehicle’s current paint job
Dynamat Sound Deadener
Dynamat is one of the most popular soundproofing materials on the market today. The only downside is its high cost, and that’s why a lot of people tend to go with cheaper alternatives.
Dynamat is also great for soundproofing a home theatre, even though it’s not the best solution for that task. However, for a vehicle it provides 100 percent soundproofing; it’ll block out most of the loud noise coming from anywhere in your environment while you’re inside your car.
The Dynamat Xtreme is the main material that will cover the majority of the vehicle. For thermal insulation, you can add some Dynaliner, which is lightweight in comparison to the Dynamat Xtreme.
Dynapad is another awesome product that Dynamat markets. It’s extremely heavy and tends to do a better job than Xtreme, but it’s too thick to be used for a whole car. Dynapad is most suitable for the floor of your vehicle, as it will be able to cover up the road noise that’s transmitted to the vehicle.
How to Prepare Dynamat
Unlike Lizard Skin Sound Control, the installation process for Dynamat is fairly easy. You’ll only need to do a moderate amount of pre-installation work, and to make things much simpler, you can even do it in stages. There are no paints, sprays or dirty liquids involved that could damage your car.
How to Apply the Product
The one thing I really dislike about installing Dynamat is the cutting part. You have to have the right tools, and you’ll need to be very careful while cutting.
The process includes measuring your parts accurately and making the cuts. Once you’re finished, you should clean the surface, remove the release liner and stick down the Dynamat. The last step includes using a roller to apply the adhesive and ensuring that it sticks firmly.
I know you must be wondering if that’s all, and yes, it is! For smaller surfaces, this process is not a problem. For larger areas, such as the roof and floors, you’ll be sticking down big pieces of Dynamat. Removing the liner and sticking the Dynamat can be a long process, but you may be able to get a friend or family member to help.
Pros
- Extremely effective at noise-dampening
- Trusted brand
- Not asphalt-based like other sound-deadening mats
- Doesn’t require much time to install
Cons
- Expensive
- Can’t cover 100 percent of the vehicle
- A bit more difficult to work with, as you’ll have to ensure that there are no air gaps, or else moisture will get trapped
Dynamat vs. Lizard Skin Sound Control – Final Verdict
I’ve listed the advantages and disadvantages of both products above, so you can make an informed decision on which one best suits your needs.
That being said, I prefer Dynamat because I’ve used it before, and even though it’s a lot more expensive, it’s effective and will surely get the job done. As for the Lizard Skin, it’s also expensive; however, most of the user reviews for this product are positive.
I’m happy you were able to take the time to read our article. You can also check out my other articles on this site. If you have any questions, feel free to let us know by leaving a comment down below. Thank you!
Here’s another article you might like: SoundSkins vs.Dynamat.
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