Quick Answer
The number of tape ins you need depends on the size and layout of the car you are installing them in. As a general guideline:
- Small car: 25-50 pieces
- Midsize car: 50-100 pieces
- Full size sedan: 100-150 pieces
- SUV: 150-200 pieces
Factors like the number of doors, whether you want to cover the roof and floor, and how much overlap you want will also impact the amount needed. It’s better to have extras than to run short.
What are Tape Ins?
Tape ins, also called sound deadening mats or butyl sheets, are automotive sound damping products made up of a layer of butyl or asphalt material with an aluminum foil facing. They are installed in strategic locations around a vehicle’s interior to reduce road noise, rattles, vibrations, and echoes.
Some key benefits of using tape ins include:
- Lower interior sound levels for a quieter, more enjoyable ride
- Less vibration and movement which can reduce fatigue on long drives
- Prevent rattles from loose panels and trim pieces
- Improve audio system clarity by reducing echo and resonance
Professional installation shops often use high-end, expensive tape ins when soundproofing luxury vehicles or doing audio system upgrades. But more affordable consumer brands work well for basic DIY insulation in personal vehicles.
Where Should Tape Ins be Applied?
Tape ins should be applied to the key sound transmission areas, including:
- Door panels – inside and out
- Floor pan
- Rear deck / trunk
- Wheel wells
- Roof
- Behind interior trim panels
Focus on large, flat expanses rather than contours or irregular shapes. The doors usually provide the most surface area to cover. Applying tape ins to about 25% of the total interior surfaces will make a noticeable difference in sound reduction.
Aim to cover 50-80% of surfaces for optimal noise insulation, especially if wanting to improve audio sound. The more coverage, the quieter your ride will be.
How Much Tape Ins Per Door?
Each door should have around 5-10 pieces of tape ins:
- 2-3 pieces for the inner door skin
- 2-3 pieces for the outer door skin
- 1-2 pieces for the door panel that faces the cabin
Use smaller pieces to work around door handles, window tracks, or other protrusions. Applying tape ins to approximately 75% of each door surface area is ideal.
So for a 4-door sedan, you would need 20-40 pieces just for the doors themselves.
How Much for Full Vehicle?
As a rough estimate, here is how much tape ins you may need for full coverage in different vehicle types:
| Vehicle Type | Number of Tape Ins |
|---|---|
| Small car | 25-50 pieces |
| Midsize car | 50-100 pieces |
| Full size sedan | 100-150 pieces |
| SUV | 150-200 pieces |
| Minivan | 150-200 pieces |
| Pickup truck | 150-200 pieces |
These amounts are for covering major surfaces – doors, floor, roof, rear deck, and wheel wells. The more tape you use, the more effective the sound proofing.
What Size Tape Ins Should I Get?
Tape ins come in a range of sizes, typically from 1 sq ft up to 20 sq ft sheets. Some popular sizes are:
- 4″ x 8″ – Good for small patches and contour areas
- 12″ x 24″ – Versatile mid-size piece for door skins and panels
- 24″ x 48″ – Large sheets to quickly cover roof and floor sections
A combination of different sizes allows flexibility for both large expanses and detailed trim work.
12″ x 24″ sheets are a convenient standard size that work well for most applications. It’s better to have several smaller pieces to spread coverage than a few large sheets.
Buy 5-10 extra pieces over your vehicle’s estimated amount to account for mistakes, irregular gaps, or future repairs. Having a variety of tape ins on hand helps optimize noise reduction. Unused sheets can be saved for future vehicles or audio projects.
How Much Overlap is Needed Between Sheets?
To prevent gaps, it’s important to overlap tape ins by 1-2 inches as you work across adjacent sheets. This overlap helps create a continuous sound barrier and prevents sound flanking around the edges.
As a guideline:
- For 12″ x 24″ sheets, overlap them by 1-2″ on all sides
- For 24″ x 48″ sheets, overlap 2-3 inches
- For door skins or panels, use a 50% overlap down the edges
Take your time aligning the sheets to prevent air channels or leaks between the pieces. The goal is to cover as much surface area as possible without gaps that compromise performance.
Do I Need Tape Ins for the Floor?
Applying tape ins to your vehicle’s floor pan helps block road noise that vibrates up through the chassis. This can make a dramatic improvement in interior sound levels.
Some key benefits of insulating the floor include:
- Reduce tire noise, exhaust drones, and road vibration
- Lessen engine rumble in the cabin
- Prevent rattling from loose panels and trim
- Improve audio clarity by minimizing resonance
Tape ins will need to be applied under the carpet or other flooring materials. Remove seats and trim pieces to access the floor pan and wheel wells.
Use 25-50% coverage underneath the floor carpet, focusing on areas under the seats. The denser the coverage, the more sound reduction you will achieve.
Should I Put Tape Ins on the Roof?
Applying tape ins to the interior roof is effective at reducing echo, ambient noise, and vibration through the sheet metal panels. This can make conversations easier to hear and enhance music clarity.
Some key benefits of insulating the roof include:
- Minimize wind and traffic noise entering the cabin
- Lessen vibration from thin roof skin
- Reduce echo and reverb for clearer audio
- Prevent roof creaks and squeaks from movement
As with the floor, roof insulation will need to be applied under roof lining or headliner fabric. Partial coverage – around 25-50% – is usually adequate for most noise issues. Focus on the areas above seating positions.
Taking time to tape ins the roof can be worthwhile, especially if interior echo is an issue or you want optimal audio performance.
Should Door Panels be Removed Before Installation?
For best results, it’s recommended to remove interior door panels prior to applying tape ins. This allows you to access the inner door skin and treat all surfaces.
Reasons to take door panels off before installation:
- Apply tape ins to the inner door skin which is the primary noise source
- Treat hidden areas inside the door chambers
- Avoid having to work blindly through speaker or window holes
- Get full coverage and proper adhesion in all crevices
- Easier to overlap seams and align sheets
While not mandatory, taking the time to fully expose the door internals leads to better insulation and easier installation. Just be careful not to damage any window, lock or speaker wires.
What Thickness of Tape Ins is Best?
Tape ins come in a range of thicknesses from 1/8 inch up to 1/4 inch. Going with a thicker deadener provides better acoustic absorption and damping properties.
Here are some guidelines on tape ins thickness:
- 1/8 inch – Minimum thickness, suitable for smaller patches
- 1/16 inch – Decent thickness for most sheet coverage
- 1/4 inch – Provides maximum sound reduction
1/8 inch is a popular standard thickness that balances effectiveness, cost and ease of installation. Doubling to 1/4 inch is preferable for optimal soundproofing, but will add cost and weight.
Combining different densities across sheets can optimize specific areas. Use thicker tape ins on problem panels or where maximum vibration reduction is desired.
Should I Use Tape Ins on All Vehicles?
Adding tape ins is highly recommended for all vehicles types, from small economy cars to luxury sedans to rugged trucks. The acoustic benefits apply across different makes and models.
Reasons any vehicle can benefit from tape ins:
- Mask annoying road, wind and tire noise
- Make music and conversations more intelligible
- Reduce fatigue from rattling and droning
- Prevent vibration that causes cracks and rattles
- Improve the driving experience for greater comfort
While professional treatments can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, DIY tape ins are an affordable and straightforward way to make meaningful sound reduction improvements.
Focus first on problem areas, then expand coverage for broader acoustic control. Just 25-50% application can make your vehicle notably quieter.
How Do I Get Tape Ins to Stick Properly?
To ensure tape ins adhere tightly, follow these application tips:
- Clean surfaces thoroughly with a degreaser or solvent
- Scuff glossy panels lightly with sandpaper
- Apply heavy pressure when setting each sheet
- Go slowly working out air bubbles and wrinkles
- Use a plastic applicator to increase contact pressure
- Maintain 1-2″ overlap between adjacent sheets
Proper preparation helps the butyl compound form a strong, airtight bond. Take your time to get full contact across the entire sheet. The reward is long-lasting acoustic performance.
Re-activate adhesion as needed later by gently warming the sheets with a heat gun. This renews the tackiness if any corners or edges lift up.
What Tools Do I Need for Installation?
Installing tape ins is straightforward with some simple tools:
- Utility Knife – For precision cutting sheets and trimming
- Plastic Spreader – Assists applying pressure smoothly
- Roller – Removes air pockets and ripples
- Rags – For cleaning surfaces before application
- Gloves – Protect hands from adhesive and chemicals
- Eye Protection – Safety glasses when using chemicals
Optional items that help are a heat gun for reactivating adhesion, panel trim tools for safe interior removal, and knee pads for comfort when working on the floor.
Simple household items like a squeegee, wooden paint stir stick, or plastic gift card can also substitute for commercial installation tools. The key is applying smooth, even pressure.
How Long Does Installation Take?
Installing tape ins takes a few hours up to a full weekend depending on the scope. Here are some time estimates:
- Doors only: 2-3 hours
- Doors and roof: 3-5 hours
- Full interior: 8-12 hours
Working time depends on vehicle size, number of pieces used, and how detailed you get at properly aligning sheets and smoothing edges.
Be sure to schedule extra time for panel removal, cleaning, and reassembly. Rushing the job can lead to poor adhesion or sloppy results. Patience during install increases acoustic performance.
Do doors or problem areas first if needed to break up the project. Full vehicles can be completed over weekends in stages. Having an extra set of hands speeds the process.
Can I Install Tape Ins Myself?
Installing tape ins is definitely a DIY-friendly project anyone can tackle themselves. The materials are inexpensive and widely available. The application process is straightforward without specialized tools or skills required.
Reasons you can easily install your own tape ins:
- Affordable products from local auto parts stores
- Easy to cut sheets with utility knives
- No need for mechanical fasteners or glue
- Minimal tools – roller, spreader, gloves
- Basic cleaning and application procedures
- Numerous online tutorials available
Just work slowly and methodically when applying sheets. Take care removing interior panels to avoid damage. Having patience and following tips yields professional-looking results.
DIY tape ins let you hone and perfect the acoustic treatment specific to your vehicle model and audio components. Control noise on your terms with customization.
Conclusion
Determining how many pieces of tape ins your vehicle needs depends on the interior size and your desired coverage percentage. Start with 25-50% application focusing on problem areas first. Expand coverage for increased sound damping and audio clarity.
Use 12″ x 24″ sheets for easy installation across door skins and panels. Have a mix of sizes to optimize treatment. Overlap seams 1-2 inches to prevent gaps and flanking. Work methodically and slowly for proper adhesion.
With some simple tools and DIY determination, anyone can transform their vehicle’s interior acoustic environment. Tape ins are an easy, affordable way to restore comfort and audio clarity through personalized noise reduction. Just take your time and listen to the tranquil results.
