Noise isolation Volkswagen Polo Sedan (2014)
Friends, we continue the story of noise isolation of “people’s” cars. This time it is a small, inexpensive and due to this very popular representative of the German brand – Volkswagen Polo Sedan 2014 model year!
An excellent workhorse and a car for city trips, so the owners say about the Polo Sedan. They are also unanimous in the fact that the car has no noise isolation as a class. The engine screams annoyingly at revs over 3,000, at speed there is appreciable hum from rubber, and standard acoustics, installed in empty doors from foil, physically cannot play distinctly. Fortunately, the owner of this car has already visited us many times and knows, that all these faults can be eliminated. The owner of a car did not hesitate in choosing a variant of gluing: do everything as much as possible, without regard to weight and cost. Thus, the owner chose “Premium” option, with which the car would add about 50 kg, and the owner’s purse would be 27 thousand rubles lighter. In addition, the owner of the car asked to glue the front underwings, as the sound of pebbles and sand is very distinctly heard in the cabin. After clarifying all the nuances and wishes, we began our work! I often hear from car owners and installers that there is no point in gluing the hood, because it will only reduce the noise of the engine on the street. However, we know from experience that most of the engine noise in the cabin is heard just through the thin metal hood and an equally thin windshield, so gluing the outer metal hood gives a significant reduction in engine noise in the cabin. So we start with the hood, the area of gluing which on the Volkswagen Polo Sedan is quite significant!
First we apply a light and thin, but very effective vibro-insulator STP Aero (2 mm). Roll the material with metal rollers to maximize its effectiveness. Since all work is done in our heated room, there is no need to warm up the material!
The second layer is sound absorber on the basis of needle-punched NPE – STP Accent Premium (10 mm). The material will effectively absorb high-frequency sounds of the engine, not allowing them to reach the windshield and the car interior!
After applying two coats we put back the regular “poppy”, under which our material will not be visible. But by the weight of the hood and the sound when closing it, it’s not just tin plate! Let’s pass to other thin-walled element of considerable area – a roof of the Volkswagen Polo Sedan. Carefully disassemble the upper part of the cabin and lower the roof liner. On the metal roof on a sealant glued a thick piece of cardboard, giving it at least some rigidity.
Carefully remove the regular cardboard and prepare the roof for gluing.
We apply the first layer on the metal of the roof – STP Aero (2 mm) vibration isolator. The material is not too heavy, but after gluing the roof no longer vibrates in unison with the entire body, as viscous mastic material effectively dampens all attempts to metal vibrate and produce low-frequency hum!
The second layer we apply a relief sound absorber STP Biplast Premium (15 mm), which will effectively absorb all the reflected sound waves wandering around the car interior.
After applying two layers, we can proceed to the assembly of the upper part of the cabin. Carefully set in place a panelling ceiling, it sits very tightly, but traces of our work you will not see even if you want – everything looks exactly as it was before the sound insulation! After assembling the upper part of the cabin we proceed to the lower part. We disassemble the bottom and the trunk, take out all the seats and remove the carpet. There are small pieces of regular vibro-insulation on the bottom and in a trunk, but they don’t help – the metal is thin and loud.
We apply the first layer on the bottom and the trunk – STP Aero+ vibration isolator (3 mm). The material is quite thick, but thanks to its soft and flexible mastic it easily repeats all the irregularities of the body, providing maximum adherence to the metal surface. Carefully roll the material, only this way it will work 100%.
In the trunk, along with STP Aero+ (3 mm), we also use STP Bimast Bomb Premium (4.2 mm) – the most effective and heavy vibriozolator from STP. This material requires warming up before rolling, so we slightly warm it up in place with an industrial hair dryer.
After completing the first layer, we move on to the second. On the bottom and the bottom of the trunk we apply STP Barrier (4 mm). The small thickness of the material allows it to easily repeat all the irregularities of the body, and by applying it overlapping a layer of up to 8 mm.
On the rear arches we apply sound absorber STP Biplast (10 mm), which due to its softness allows you to assemble the side trunk linings without unnecessary difficulties. Normal assembly of the cabin after gluing is our priority, because no effect from the noise isolation can not justify the falling off of the interior plastic and the gaps between the trims!
The third layer on the bottom we apply heavy sound insulator STP NoiseBlock (2 mm). This material is indispensable in the fight against low-frequency rumble, which comes from the bottom, and no “soft” material can effectively replace it.
After applying the third layer, we move on to the assembly of the underside of the cabin. Carefully reinstall the stock carpet, center console and all seats, and assemble the trunk trim. Once again vacuum the interior and move on to the doors. The first layer on the degreased and dry metal door apply STP Aero (2 mm) vibration isolator.
The second layer is sound absorber STP Accent Premium (10 mm). The material has a thin layer of moisture-resistant sealant instead of glue, which makes it ideal for use in the car door, where moisture is not an uncommon phenomenon!
Then we close all the holes in the inner metal of the door and move on to gluing the plastic door trim. We apply on it the sound absorber and antiskrip STP Biplast Premium (15 mm).
At the same time we also glued the trunk lid and front fenders, but the photo limit does not allow me to tell you about it in detail. Once the doors are done, we reassemble them and check everything we disconnected or disconnected while disassembling the interior. After checking, we wipe down the interior and hand the car over to the happy owner!
Complete soundproofing of VW Polo Sedan
Previous parts summary: I bought a new Polik in December 2011, in summer 2018 (mileage of about 90,000 km) thought about how long I will drive it, and decided that the car is good, and will ride it for at least another 5 years. But since it is, I need to invest a reasonable amount of money and make transportation for my beloved family even more comfortable. The initial comfort was provided by the maximum Highline package with the Premium package.
In the last post I finally changed the stock summer rubber Kama Euro to Mishlen: www.drive2.ru/l/506511472885498157/
This time I did the noise insulation.
There is such wisdom: “If you want to do something well, do it yourself”. Here is in some tasks I apply it “with flying colors” – in repairing my PC, in personal finance, in organizing some events. But not in auto repair/improvement. Certainly, I have enough mind to figure it out. And even hands can do it. But it would be so long and inefficient… At first I would be like that lazy guy from “Zveropolis” cartoon, then I would take a car apart, and then I’d isolate a part of it. And then I would get tired and bored, so I would switch to something else and leave the car disassembled 
In general, even without much deliberation I decided to turn to professionals. I want to say that it is possible to insulate the noise by yourself, but you have to be a real hero to do it yourself. I know there are such people, but it is really difficult and labor-intensive, and to get good results, you need to think through every detail in advance and do exactly as necessary.
The first task is to choose a service provider. While the car was under warranty, I was serviced by the officers (Avtorus). Then switched to a garage polosedan. The price tag is adequate (much lower than the officers), and the guys specialize in polkas, and do their job, like, very well. But I read about the noise, and I read that if it is done poorly, then: 1. The effect will be much lower, possibly even tend to zero; 2. Inexperienced crooked “masters” may while installing noise, along the way break a lot of other things (audio speakers, power window cables, and generally anything else), and poor installation can lead to corrosion! Trouble, in short; 3. We have to pave, and it is a loss of time, money and mood. In general, you need to go straight to the professionals.
Looked at what and how much material is used garage polosedan, remembered the price tag, and went looking for alternatives. Found a lot of people, but most interested in anti-shum.ru They have the highest quality information materials, lots of great reviews, including on the drive. But I live in Khimki, and the nearest point in Bronnitsy, and the price tag is much higher than in the “Garage”… But then I came across a comment on the note on the drive: www.drive2.ru/o/b/1747293 – in the comments at the top is a list of materials. I compared them and realized WHY so expensive compared to the garage: garage.polosedan.ru/servi…ya-packet-premium_447.html Nothing bad to say about the garage, I’m at them for many years fixing cars and doing maintenance and plan to continue. But I didn’t dare to trust them with the noise.
I decided to do the Premium package for 27,000 rubles. I told my wife. She asked if the materials were included? I said yes. She asked me how many people would do the noise? I remembered the video from the site anti-shum, and said that I saw them as three people working on the car. She asked – is there any profit left there at all? I thought that really, if there is any profit, it is not much. In general, I was not upset about the expensive price, but rejoiced that I could do it cheap and of high quality. Naturally, I studied their website and online reviews. I came to the conclusion that either the guys are just very cool to make noise, such professionals, but for some reason they do not charge much, or they work gods marketing is not worse than the Apple. I’m a terrible critic, I see a potential scam everywhere, it helps me well in life. In general, the fears were not justified, they have no marketing, they just do an awesome job, and word of mouth spreads this information.
I went a little over 100 kilometers so I decided to go there. A lot of people recommended to go to Dmitry. I call him up and he is on vacation. No big deal, called the general phone. The good news – they do it in one day. They take the car apart, insulate the car, assemble the car, and I can drive it on the same day. Great! The bad news is it’s a month away. Huge! Well, understand the excitement for such, as it turned out, not much money, when skilled performers are not easy to find, and in all modern cars (even expensive) with a noise problem at best. At worst – it is not there at all)). Well, the hell with it, let’s July 19. Come on July 19, asked to arrive at 9:00 am without delay. Car wash. How to calculate the morning commute on a weekday? Going from Khimki (north-west of the Moscow ring road) to the Bronnitsy (southeast of the Moscow ring road). Okay, we have to leave in advance.
The day before leaving for the tire fitting job flew in – deadlines are burning. Had time to do everything by 3 a.m. on 19.07. The car is not dirty, but dusted, washed no time. At 7:00 I left without sleep and at 8:58 I was there. I was met, asked to do a technical car wash. Washing is right next door, at 9:10 I’m there in a clean car (technical and did for 150 rubles). Garage for two cars, which can be done at the same time. As it happens, I was the first. Uncle in the second car had to come a little later. The anti-noise staff pounced on my polish with the six of them! Cool! One at the hood, four at the doors, one in the trunk. Everyone’s doing their own thing. They ask me if the front arches need extra work. I remember that I initially wanted to, even said on the phone that maybe I would do (it’s +4000 rubles), but changed my mind, since the arches are done from the inside. Then it came to me that most of the front arches will not even be affected from the inside. Anyway, I realized right there the importance of doing the front arches from the outside as well. I asked the guys to do it. After a while, my uncle arrived in another car. But by that time the six of us had already done a lot. Dmitry also came, great guy. He said, really not particularly profitable, but they have a network and earn on volume. And prices are the same everywhere. My question, why in Moscow (Bronnitsy) prices are not higher, because people have more money and everything is more expensive here? Dmitri said that there are also people who do not earn a lot, at the level of regions, and that he owns the garage (no excessive rent), and poditolzhil that it is wrong to make the prices above. Well, what could I say? I can only thank Dmitry and the team that for a little money I can get excellent work and materials.
What else can I write from fresh memory? I felt really comfortable there. All the specialists are adequate, pleasant to talk to, and at the same time excellent professionals. All the materials were rolled up for me. The materials used are great, I bought a premium line of STP. Truth STP raised the price tag by 20% in July, but the guys are anti noise while trying not to change their price tags for customers. I used mastic on my arches – 1 kg of mastic per arch! Well done! I even got a soundproofed license plate frame! Great! All work with gloves on, vacuum, use seat covers and steering wheel. The car is CLEANER on the way out than on the way in! I have a child seat, and the anti-noise specialist noticed that the baby door was not locked to open from the inside. Showed me how to do it, and at my request, turned a screwdriver and locked the baby door from the inside. A huge special thanks for that! I had no idea that such a feature even existed, I was worried that my daughter (2 years old) had become uncomfortable with the door handle. Anyway, thanks again man, it’s really appreciated!
All in all, everything was done by 3pm! That’s cool, I didn’t get much sleep before that because of work, and have a chance to skip before the traffic. I paid by card (in addition, I should get a cashback from Tinkoff).
Got in the car, adjusted the seat, drove off. First impression – I could hear the street. But no one promised a vacuum and silence like in space. Started listening. There is noise, but it is quieter and some frequencies are well audible and some are very muffled. It was raining outside and the road noise was there but not as loud as before and the cars were also quieter. The rain hitting the roof is not so loud. In general I feel much more comfortable. I have turned on the music and it feels good! Even at high volume (I love loud music, may people around me forgive me) the music now stays in the car! The volume is felt better. And noises from the street are not heard at all. Before, even with high volume I could hear the street. In general I enjoyed Rammstein and Slipknot till I got home.
The next day I had the second test-drive. Went with my spouse to work (on our way). The road is wet, but there is almost no rain. And I hear it is quieter than yesterday! Can’t hear my wheels at all, and I heard them yesterday! Looks like the mastic is working. I was warned that it would cure in 24 hours and take up to 7 days to harden. I’m assuming my theory is correct, I don’t see any other possible reasons, but it got really VERY comfortable to drive. The acoustics work. Also noticed that the crickets in the roof are gone! And the trunk closed with such a noble sound. The doors are not the same as in the Passat, but also much better. I can recommend the anti noise company, premium noise package and additional noise isolation of the front arches.
Drive does not allow to lay out more than twenty photos, so I lay out the main.
And now I’m thinking about how else I can improve my comfort in the Polk for the next five years. 1. 1. The lights are bothering me. I have a car with H4 halogens. It’s dim and dark. I used LED lamps in my apartment. They are durable, bright, and use minimal power (therefore the wiring lasts longer). But in my polik for the adequate money and in accordance with Russian law, I will not be able to put the LEDs. The same applies to xenon. I tried brighter halogens – Philips super bright, one bulb burned out after 4 months. I put OSRAM Night Breaker – 5 months. I was told here that you should put the OSRAM Night Breaker +110% and not put the same +140%. That they last a lot longer. Any comments on this topic would be appreciated. Also, the same guy said that possibly it will be possible to install halogen lens in my headlamp, but I will have to change H4 to either H7 or HB3, but I won’t have to legalize anything. Myself do not know, but would be very grateful for information and thoughts on this option. Also in the comments. 2. Wanted to put a cruise control. Electronics in my car allows it. But I read that cruise control for Polo is cut off – not connected to ABS/ESP. Well, why do I need it, then I will do without it, better the next higher class cars will be taken with a cruise control. 3. Chips. For 6.5 years there are a lot of them, long ago there were red spots, but I do nothing with them. I think the anti-corrosion coating works well, since there are red spots over the years, but the metal is fine. But I’ve been wanting to do something about it for a long time. I like to do things thoroughly. To repaint a whole car with better quality than the factory is very expensive, and people say that such a car then I’ll never sell)) It makes no sense to repaint specific parts – it applies to all paintwork: roof, hood, doors, and many other places. I don’t want to stain – I dislike paint stains much more than I dislike rust stains. I don’t know how to make it so that it becomes unnoticeable both at the time of painting and years afterwards. I would also appreciate clarification and my thoughts on this as well in the comments. 4. Crickets. But they no longer bother after noise isolation. At least for now. We’ll see how it will be further )).
