Sound Deadening/Insulation Options for Painted Hardtops

[razehound]

Was looking at an advertisement for Hothead Headliners, and I noticed that their products are only made for the MIC hardtops.

My painted hardtop has "sound deadening" from the factory, but its just small black cushions in the center of the panels, and all the white area around it has zero dampening:

I'm aware that you don't need to cover 100% of a surface to reduce the vibration, but for general insulation as well, would it help to line this area?

The only issue is that it seems all the insulating material sheets have foil on the outside, which would obviously look horrible exposed on the hardtop. Are there any products that are finished in black? Would just using thin closed cell foam by itself help?

Or do painted hardtops with this center dampening not benefit from anything additional? As in, the noise and heat intrusion can't be improved further?

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[chris harley]

Had all of the same questions regarding the painted top and insulation. I ended up applying insulation under all of the black pads only. Lots of debate on here as to whether that should or shouldn’t help. I would say it helped a little though. And pretty cheap, too.

 

[razehound]

Had all of the same questions regarding the painted top and insulation. I ended up applying insulation under all of the black pads only. Lots of debate on here as to whether that should or shouldn’t help. I would say it helped a little though. And pretty cheap, too.

So what was under the black pads? is it just that material and thats it? I wouldve assumed there was already material under those.

I was thinking more on the side of covering the white areas with lining...

 

[chris harley]

Surprisingly nothing. They’re just soft padded cloth, that I would guess do almost nothing. Not sure, but assume you could find soundproofing material that didn’t have the foil on it.

 

[razehound]

Surprisingly nothing. They’re just soft padded cloth, that I would guess do almost nothing. Not sure, but assume you could find soundproofing material that didn’t have the foil on it.

I'm conflicted:

On one hand, it means that there is actual improvement that I can make to the hard top

On the other hand, it means that the hard top needs improvement to do what I thought it already did...

 

[chris harley]

Yep. I settled for a little improvement.

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

Was looking at an advertisement for Hothead Headliners, and I noticed that their products are only made for the MIC hardtops.

My painted hardtop has "sound deadening" from the factory, but its just small black cushions in the center of the panels, and all the white area around it has zero dampening:

I'm aware that you don't need to cover 100% of a surface to reduce the vibration, but for general insulation as well, would it help to line this area?

The only issue is that it seems all the insulating material sheets have foil on the outside, which would obviously look horrible exposed on the hardtop. Are there any products that are finished in black? Would just using thin closed cell foam by itself help?

Or do painted hardtops with this center dampening not benefit from anything additional? As in, the noise and heat intrusion can't be improved further?

Featuring white-painted hardtops, I don't find my 2024 2-door Heritage to be in need of additional sound deadening nor insulation. My 2025 4-door Heritage is even quieter, owing to enhancements made for MY2025 production.
It's a Bronco........not an Explorer nor Expedition. Ford exceeded my expectations in every way (as did my nation's best salesman and dealer).

 

[Vynull]

Had all of the same questions regarding the painted top and insulation. I ended up applying insulation under all of the black pads only. Lots of debate on here as to whether that should or shouldn’t help. I would say it helped a little though. And pretty cheap, too.

How did you get those panels off? I feel like if I force the plastic retainers any more they will just break.

 

[chris harley]

They just pop off with a trim tool. None broke, and they went back in easily. If you do break one, I’m sure they’re pretty cheap.

 

[razehound]

How did you get those panels off? I feel like if I force the plastic retainers any more they will just break.

The rear roof uses magnets on the sides and velcro in the middle.

The middle panel uses pop tabs

The front panel uses pop tabs on one side, and i believe the other side is glued. I only had to lift one end to get underneath

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