Can Motorcycles Sound Deadening Get Wet in Rain?

Can Motorcycles Sound Deadening Get Wet in Rain?

Can Motorcycles Sound Deadening Get Wet in Rain?

Motorcycle sound deadening is more popular these days in the riders that are looking to reduce engine noise, road vibrations and wind turbulence. These materials are especially convenient for long distance travel, it also makes the ride more comfortable by reducing noise distractions. But one question frequently asked is that motorcycle sound deadening materials survive in rain? In this article I will explore the effects of moisture on these materials and offer practical tips for protecting them.

Understanding Sound Deadening Materials

Types of Sound-Deadening Materials

Motorcycle sound deadening mostly used the foam, rubberized sheets, or adhesive-backed materials. 

  • Foam Based Sound Deadening: Lightweight installation materials need regular maintenance since they let water pass through.

  • Rubberized and Adhesive Backed Materials: These products serve long-lasting use but demand special installation procedures because they stand up well against water.

Water Resistance in Sound Deadening Materials

It’s important to differentiate between the materials labeled as water resistant and those that are truly waterproof. While water resistant materials can prevent light moisture, waterproof options are specifically designed to handle direct and prolonged exposure to water.

Can Sound-Deadening Materials Get Wet?

Exposure to Rain

When exposed to rain, sound-deadening materials face the risk of soaking up water, especially foam-based ones. This can lead to reduced effectiveness in dampening sound and may even compromise the integrity of the material.

Effects of Moisture on Different Materials

Foam-Based Materials are more liable to water absorption, which can cause swelling, deformation, or loss of adhesive properties. And Rubberized or Composite Materials are better equipped to handle moisture but are not entirely immune. Over time, prolonged exposure could weaken their adhesive bond.

Long Term Moisture Damage

Moisture stuck in sound deadening materials can lead to mold and mildew formation, which not only affects performance but can also create unpleasant odors. Moreover, if the adhesive layer fails, the material may detach, rendering it ineffective.

How to Protect Sound Deadening from Rain?

Pre-Installation Waterproofing

  • Choosing Waterproof Materials: Invest in products that are explicitly rated for outdoor or all-weather use.

  • Adding Extra Waterproof Layers: Consider using a sealant or additional waterproof film over the sound-deadening material.

Maintenance Tips

  • Regular Inspection: Check for any signs of water damage or peeling edges.

  • Drying Methods After Rain Exposure: Use a dry cloth to soak up water and allow the material to air dry completely before your next ride.

Alternatives to Traditional Sound Deadening

Waterproof Soundproofing Solutions

Some manufacturers produce waterproof soundproofing materials tailored for vehicles that frequently encounter wet conditions. These are worth considering for motorcyclists who ride in all weather.

Noise-Reducing Helmets and Gear

Instead of focusing solely on sound deadening for your bike, invest in noise-reducing helmets or earplugs. These can provide significant relief from excessive noise without requiring modifications to the motorcycle itself.

Conclusion

Sound deadening materials are beneficial for motorcyclists, but they do require extra care when exposed to rain. Some materials can handle light moisture but others may struggle under heavy or prolonged exposure. By choosing waterproof materials, adding protective layers, and maintaining your bike properly, you can extend the life and effectiveness of your sound deadening setup.

FAQs About Motorcycle Sound Deadening and Rain

1. Can foam sound deadening survive heavy rain?
Water absorption during heavy rain weakens foam-based sound-deadening materials that feature many tiny pores.

2. Does sound deadening affect motorcycle performance in wet weather?
Not directly, but if waterlogged materials detach, they could create minor inconveniences or add weight.

3. Are there waterproof sound-deadening options available?
Yes, some products are explicitly designed to be waterproof and are better suited for motorcycles.

4. How can I dry my sound deadening after rain exposure?
Smoothly dry the material with a cloth and leave it in a warm, ventilated area to air dry completely.

5. Is sound deadening worth it for motorcycles?
Absolutely! Sound Deadening will reduce noise levels and improve riding comfort, especially for long distance trips.

Step 1

To install the material you need be working on the metal surface of the car, remove upholstery. If you have never done this, we suggest searching it up on YouTube. Once the upholstery is removed, make sure there is no debris, waxy oils or rust by cleaning the surface with denatured alcohol.

Step 2

Once surface is clean and ready to go, cut the sound deadening material to the right size so it fits desired area. For small surfaces, we recommend that you measure the dimensions and then cut to fit.

Step 3

With the surface area clean and pieces cut to desired dimensions, peel off the paper and apply material to surface area starting from the top to bottom using the car door holes to help with alignment. We recommend using a hand roller to ensure that there are no air pockets and ensure the adhesiveness.

Sound Deadener Install On Jeep

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Sound Deadener Install FAQ: Tips & Tricks

What tools will I need to for a sound deadening project?  
  • Rag & Denatured Alcohol: Apply the alcohol to the rag and use to clean the metal surface areas you will be applying the material to.
  • Gloves: Our product is pretty safe to install without gloves but if you have never installed a sound deadener mat, we recommend using gloves.
  • Hand roller: We highly recommend using a small roller to reach the tighter surface areas of your vehicle. You can find these on Amazon or most online retail shops. There are wooden, rubber and metal rollers, we recommend wooden or rubber, try and stay away from metal as they can tear the material.
  • Utility Knife: The utility blade is to cut the material. Make sure to cut the material on top of a pice of cardboard so that your blade stays sharper longer, if it's a big job, have some extra blades around.
How do you apply sound deadener material? 

We sell our roll on sound deadener product in 2 different formats: custom cut to fit pro kits and an easy to work with rolled up large sheet. If you can measure, cut, peel and stick you can install sound deadener! You can use your hand to apply pressure when positioning the material and then use a roller to make sure it sticks down to metal surface.

After you cut the material and are ready to stick it on, some customers find it easier to peel off a small portion of the release liner and then apply it to metal surface, and then work their way across the sheet, peeling off a small section at a time.

Make sure to always remove the air bubbles with the roller. The second most important thing when it comes to quality of sound deadener is the quality of adhesion to the surface area. You want the material to be stuck down properly to ensure it stays in place.

Where do you apply the sound deadening material?  

The great thing about our sound deadening material is that it can be applied to all types of metal surfaces. All SoundSkins sheets use extremely strong adhesive and they can even be mounted on fiberglass, plastic and even wooden surfaces, but it's not very common to apply to these surfaces since they don't vibrate as much. By covering all metal surfaces such as your doors, roof, trunk and floor you can make a significant difference to unwanted road noise.

Your top priority when applying a car sound deadener is to cover the doors, floor and trunk. If you have extra material then proceed to other metal surfaces you wish to cover for extra sound insulation.

How much surface area should I cover?  

To properly deaden the metal surfaces, we recommend to at least do 25% coverage with our SoundSkins material, this will make a difference in unwanted road noise, but to have a huge impact we recommend covering up 60% of metal surfaces. If you want to get the most used from your sheet, one effective strategy is the CHECKER BOARD APPROACH, using this technique you cut the SoundSkins sheet into small pieces and apply them to the metal surface in a checkered pattern.

It is very common for our customers to do close to 100& coverage to any metal surface because not only are they looking to reduce road noise, they also want to insulate their car from heat or they like the way the material looks on the car's bare metal surface.

How do I make sure the sound deadener sticks well?

SoundSkins products are made with a very strong adhesive and create a extremely strong bond with the metal, it's really hard to NOT make it stick. To ensure the best possible bond, we highly recommend cleaning the metal surface before applying our material and then using a hand roller to firmly attach the SoundSkins deadening mats.

Great adhesion with no air bubbles is the absolute key if you want to get the best performance. Remember that any air pocket with poor adhesion means you will not get the full benefit of the deadener.

How to install car sound deadener: Recap
  1. Remove upholstery and carpet from your vehicle. Proceed to vacuum to get rid of debris and dirt. Clean all greasy spots with denatured alcohol, other solvents or degreasers will leave behind a film that prevents a solid contact surface. Allow metal surface to try.
  2. Cut the SoundSkins sheet to desired size and cut using a sharp utility knife. Use gloves to avoid any cuts.
  3. Peel off the wax paper from the back of material and apply to surface, this can be done by small sections at a time. Use roller to create a strong bond between material and metal surface and to get rid of any air bubbles.

If you have any questions, make to reach out to use and we'll be happy to help.

SOUNDSKINS GLOBAL