Custom Interior Part 2

With my interior parts and pieces off to the upholsterers, I began working on prepping the back of the bus.  Nothing new and exciting here but I thought I would document it none the less.  The general process was wash, Marine Clean, Metal Ready, POR-15, then insulate.  I did a lot of research on the sound proofing/insulation and ended up going with EZ Cool Insulation from http://www.lobucrod.com/.  I'm not interested in dead quiet or great sounding tunes, I would just like to carry on a conversation with my boys in the back without having to yell at them.  I hope this stuff will make that possible, but even if it doesn't the cost doesn't break the bank.  My plan is to put down two layers on the bottom front to back and one layer in the doors and sides.  There's no real reason for that plan except I think I would get more noise from the engine and road below than the sides.  I also don't have any way to test before and after but hopefully the difference is at least noticeable.  Some pictures...

Start

After Marine Clean and Metal Ready

After POR-15

Brief Aside - I was bored the night I did the POR-15 and had some time to kill.  I found some car wax in my mother-in-law's garage and decided to give old Betty a wax job.  I was pretty amazed at the difference, even if I was technically (and literally) "polishing a turd."

On to the insulation/sound dampening.  Nothing new here either, I ended up buying 4 rolls of 4'x10' EZ Cool Insulation.  I used 3 rolls for the back, single layers for the sliding door and opposite side wall, and two layers for the bottom, wheel wells, and back cargo area.  I didn't really measure things out since this stuff should never be seen once I get the interior back in, I just eyeballed and cut and used scraps wherever I was off.  I attached the insulation using 3M general trim adhesive, installation was straight forward.  Hopefully I can get the front doors and front floor panel done with the remaining roll, but it will be a while before I get to the front of the bus I think.

As far as costs, 4 rolls of the insulation cost $160 and I spent $40 on the adhesive.  By my calculations an equal amount of Dynamat would cost over $600, my unscientific theory is that the Dynamat can't be THAT much better.  My other theory is that if it is that much better I probably wouldn't be able to hear my engine running, which is not a good thing.

I took it on a test run after finishing up the back, you can definitely tell a difference already.  I think once I get my interior back in and the side panels in place it's going to do what I hoped it would.  Here are a few pics...

So now I'm in a holding pattern, waiting for the upholstery guy to hopefully work some magic.  I have limited funds so I'm paying him to do the two back seats and the two front seats, I'll have to do the side panels, toolbox, and center console.  I might even learn how to sew and try to jazz them up a bit, we'll see.  I'm hoping to get the bus back by late July so by football season Betty should be looking good.