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I am in the process of what is becoming a frame on restoration. Where does it stop!! Anyway started looking at the firewall under the dash and saw the insulation. Also saw the extra insulation that goes between the dash and the firewall which is glued.
I am pulling the A/C out to fix some of the duct work. etc. Wondering who has replaced this, did you use the molded ones available or did you just use some aftermarket insulation similar to what some have used on the floors and lower firewall.
If you are on a tight budget you can do some research on this product. Reflectix. I have not used it, but if you do a search on "Reflectix car insulation" you will find some information on using it in a car. Several threads from this forum will come up. Some love it and some don't, so you will need to do your own research and decide if you want to use it or not. It can be purchased at any of the home improvement stores like Home Depot, Lowes or Menards. You will also need a high strength glue like 3M High Strength 90 to glue it down. I am using a product called EZ Cool, which you can find doing a search on the web. It looks pretty much like the Reflectix, but it's another source of information you can read about on their website. Hope this helps.
If you are on a tight budget you can do some research on this product. Reflectix. I have not used it, but if you do a search on "Reflectix car insulation" you will find some information on using it in a car. Several threads from this forum will come up. Some love it and some don't, so you will need to do your own research and decide if you want to use it or not. It can be purchased at any of the home improvement stores like Home Depot, Lowes or Menards. You will also need a high strength glue like 3M High Strength 90 to glue it down. I am using a product called EZ Cool, which you can find doing a search on the web. It looks pretty much like the Reflectix, but it's another source of information you can read about on their website. Hope this helps.
I have been looking at that but was afraid it would be frowned upon. I don't want my nickname to become "Bubba".
Not wishing to Step on DoorGunner's toes...he's a great guy....BUT!
I would not use REFLECTIX in my car....it is made out of the sh!ttiest materials possible, falls apart and flakes a MILLION little mylar flakes EVERYWHERE when it does.
There are materials out there that are JUTE backing or other sound deadening material, (Dynomat etc) that is actual QUALITY.
It depends on how 'picky' you are about getting the car into "original" condition. If you want the firewall insulated well for a long period of time...even though you are using different insulation material than what came from the factory, I suggest you buy 1 or 2 vinyl insulated 4'x2' ceiling tiles at your local hardware store. Inexpensive, good fiberglass insulation layer of 1/2" to 3/4", and easily glued to firewall with construction adhesive. Just rip the thin vinyl layer off the surface and use scissors (and gloves!) to cut to the shape required. Works well for firewall insulation.
Not wishing to Step on DoorGunner's toes...he's a great guy....BUT!
I would not use REFLECTIX in my car....it is made out of the sh!ttiest materials possible, falls apart and flakes a MILLION little mylar flakes EVERYWHERE when it does.
There are materials out there that are JUTE backing or other sound deadening material, (Dynomat etc) that is actual QUALITY.
It think you don't want to do this AGAIN.
Unkahal
Doorgunner never said what brand he used. The Reflectix was suggested by someone else.
If you are on a tight budget you can do some research on this product. Reflectix. I have not used it, but if you do a search on "Reflectix car insulation" you will find some information on using it in a car. Several threads from this forum will come up. Some love it and some don't, so you will need to do your own research and decide if you want to use it or not. It can be purchased at any of the home improvement stores like Home Depot, Lowes or Menards. You will also need a high strength glue like 3M High Strength 90 to glue it down. I am using a product called EZ Cool, which you can find doing a search on the web. It looks pretty much like the Reflectix, but it's another source of information you can read about on their website. Hope this helps.
Originally Posted by ZAKsPop
Doorgunner never said what brand he used. The Reflectix was suggested by someone else.
L-46man....thanks for letting us know the Reflectix can sometimes be a problem. I wanted full coverage ( inner firewall/upper dash/inner door skins/behind kick panels/storage area/jack compartment/battery comp./inner quarter panels rear inner tank wall/etc) which would have cost close to $1,000 for quality heat and soundproof mat. I chose to take a chance with the 60% price difference and redirect any "saved money" toward a quality paint job.
The Reflectix I applied is now 7 years old and doing well....it looks as though I might be changing the carpet (driver and passenger areas) in another 7-8 years (gotta' plan ahead!). If the Reflectix has degraded by then I may recover the floorpan with a better version of Reflectix or install quality mat in areas (floorboard)where the Reflectix took a lot of wear.
By the way....I used adhesive sparingly...just enough hold "stuff" in place/yet easy to remove if needed.
I had installed some insulation about 30 years ago when I installed new carpet, under the carpet with new padding. Since I have the entire interior and dash out I want to put some new insulation in. Not real concerned about originality, especially since this will be covered by dash, carpet, seats, etc.
Just thought $250 to $320 was a bit much for just under the dash even though it was molded to fit.
Thanks for the info.
Last edited by princeRed72; Apr 24, 2020 at 08:54 PM.
Just to be clear.... The ceiling tiles I'm describing are flexible fiberglass sheets with a thin white [pebbled] vinyl surface on one side---not the [solid] composition tiles. The fiberglass tiles are very inexpensive and will easily mold to irregular surfaces.
Just to be clear.... The ceiling tiles I'm describing are flexible fiberglass sheets with a thin white [pebbled] vinyl surface on one side---not the [solid] composition tiles. The fiberglass tiles are very inexpensive and will easily mold to irregular surfaces.
I know exactly what you are talking about. The fiberglass is usually yellow and it has a really thin white cover on one side that easily peals off.
I'm no engineer, but my understanding is you are not trying to block the heat but dissipate it across a large area. This eliminates hot area and allows the metal to absorb and cool across a large section.
Actually, you are trying to block the heat from coming thru the firewall and into the passenger area. On the floor, you are trying to reflect radiant heat AND block convection & conduction heat. Metal foil which faces the heat source is a good way to reflect radiant heat. Insulation materials with lots of air-space in the material works really well to block heat transmission.
P.S. Folks pretty much waste money putting heat insulation in the storage compartment of a C3 coupe. The exhaust pipes are not close enough to do much transfer and there are compartments in the way before it reaches the interior. But, sound deadening is badly needed back there.
Actually, you are trying to block the heat from coming thru the firewall and into the passenger area. On the floor, you are trying to reflect radiant heat AND block convection & conduction heat. Metal foil which faces the heat source is a good way to reflect radiant heat. Insulation materials with lots of air-space in the material works really well to block heat transmission.
P.S. Folks pretty much waste money putting heat insulation in the storage compartment of a C3 coupe. The exhaust pipes are not close enough to do much transfer and there are compartments in the way before it reaches the interior. But, sound deadening is badly needed back there.
What kind of sound deadening do you suggest for the rear? I think that stuff with the thick sticky backing is designed to stop metal from vibrating. Just some thick jute or something?
When I'm doing a budget project (non original) I just goto the junkyard and look for cars without their engines.
Theres tons of heat shields, insulation products, and its all OEM generally high quality stuff from Merecedes and BMW, volvo, and even Ford occasionally have some good stuff.
for example i just got all this for a 20
these thin lightweight shields reflect heat (infrared reflection) and work best with some air space, usually I try to do 2 shield with an 1/4" air spare minimum, and it will takes 1400*F downpipe temps down to around 250*F just off the surface. From there in the firewall regions I use the heavier "carpet like" insulation materials, those are like the final layer of slowing down the heat progress.
firewall insulation
Anyway started looking at the firewall under the dash and saw the insulation. Also saw the extra insulation that goes between the dash and the firewall which is glued. 
