Overview
Second Skin Luxury Liner uses mass loaded vinyl as a dense barrier for airborne noise. Also, the 1/8-inch sheet supports automotive, home, mechanical, and equipment enclosure applications.
The material is designed to block airborne noise rather than reduce panel resonance. In addition, it supports continuous coverage over floors, wheel wells, walls, pipes, ducts, and enclosure panels. Full coverage and sealed seams help limit airborne sound paths.
This 1 lb mass loaded vinyl barrier weighs one pound per square foot. Also, its mass and flexibility support placement around curved or irregular surfaces.
Key takeaways
- The sheet uses mass loaded vinyl with a density of one pound per square foot.
- Each sheet measures 54 by 24 inches and covers nine square feet.
- An STC 26 figure is published for the 1 lb material, but STC interpretation depends on the tested specimen or construction and should not be treated as a universal installed-assembly rating.
- The material supports automotive, wall, pipe, duct, machinery, and generator enclosure applications.
- Sealed seams and full coverage form a continuous airborne sound barrier.
- The material carries a heat rating up to 175°F and passed FMVSS 302 testing.
What the product is designed to do
Mass loaded vinyl adds dense barrier mass between a noise source and the receiving space. Also, this sheet targets airborne noise rather than vibration within a metal panel.
The product supports road hum, exhaust drone, and loud machinery applications when installed as a continuous layer. For example, it can cover cabin floors, wheel wells, firewalls, mechanical spaces, or enclosure panels.
For generator applications, material selection is only one part of the problem because airflow, exhaust, heat and carbon monoxide safety must also be considered. See our Soundproof Generator Enclosure Guide for the full noise-reduction approach.
The material also wraps noisy PVC pipes and HVAC ducts to reduce sound transmission. In addition, interior walls, office partitions, and soundproof boxes fall within its intended uses.
This distinction matters in automotive work. A vibration damper targets panel resonance, while this airborne noise barrier sheet uses mass to block sound transmission.
Materials, dimensions, and technical details
The sheet uses high-quality PVC mass loaded vinyl and comes in a flexible, heavy-duty format. Also, the vinyl maintains structural integrity while bending around wheel wells or wrapping pipes.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Material | Mass loaded vinyl |
| Thickness | Approximately 0.13 inches |
| Dimensions | 54 inches by 24 inches |
| Coverage | 9 square feet |
| Weight | 1 pound per square foot |
| Tensile strength | Minimum 600 psi, or 4.1 MPa |
| Published STC figure | 26; verify the associated test specimen or construction before comparing with an installed assembly |
| Heat rating | Up to 175°F |
| Fire testing | FMVSS 302 passed |
The construction emphasizes durability and tear resistance without fabric reinforcement. In addition, each package contains one sheet covering nine square feet.
Installation and placement notes
The sheet cuts with scissors and conforms to many surfaces. However, its heavy construction requires secure installation methods and careful support during placement.
Installation guidance advises against placing the vinyl directly against metal. Instead, the Soundproof Sandwich method uses a closed-cell foam decoupler beneath the barrier.
Decoupling allows the vinyl layer to float above the metal surface. Also, this arrangement reduces direct contact between the barrier and the underlying panel.
Full coverage remains central to the installation method. Gaps can create open airborne sound paths through an otherwise continuous barrier.
Seams should be closed using a tape or seam treatment compatible with the specific MLV and the manufacturer’s installation instructions. The goal is continuous coverage without open gaps; the guide to sealing mass loaded vinyl seams covers this part of the assembly in greater detail.
Before cutting, map the floor, trunk, wall, pipe, duct, or enclosure area. Next, use the 54-by-24-inch dimensions to plan coverage and seam locations.
Performance characteristics described
An STC 26 figure is published for the 1 lb material. STC is derived from a laboratory transmission-loss test of a defined specimen or construction, so this figure should not be read as the guaranteed STC of a finished wall, floor, vehicle, duct, or enclosure.
The material acts as a heavy shield against road hum, exhaust drone, and loud machinery. Also, the barrier depends on density, continuous coverage, and sealed seams.
This 1 lb mass loaded vinyl sheet targets airborne sound transmission; the published STC figure should be interpreted only in the context of its associated test specimen or construction. It does not function as a standard vibration deadening mat.
The flexible construction supports tight and irregular spaces without fabric reinforcement. In addition, the minimum 600 psi tensile strength supports the stated durability and tear resistance.
For broader MLV research, this guide to mass loaded vinyl brands covers the same barrier category and common soundproofing uses.
Pros
- One-pound-per-square-foot density in an approximately 1/8-inch profile
- Published STC figure of 26 for the 1 lb material; compare only with equivalent test-specimen or construction details
- Flexible format for wheel wells, pipes, ducts, and irregular surfaces
- Minimum tensile strength of 600 psi
- Heat rating up to 175°F
- FMVSS 302 fire testing passed
Cons
- The heavy sheet construction may require secure installation methods.
- Effective sound blocking depends on full coverage and sealed seams.
- Installation guidance uses a decoupling layer rather than direct metal contact.
FAQ
What type of noise does this material target?
It targets airborne noise rather than panel resonance. Also, intended uses include road hum, exhaust drone, machinery noise, pipes, ducts, and enclosure applications.
How large is each sheet?
Each sheet measures 54 inches by 24 inches. In addition, one sheet covers nine square feet.
Can the vinyl bend around curved surfaces?
The flexible vinyl bends around wheel wells and wraps pipes. Also, it maintains structural integrity across tight or irregular spaces.
Should it sit directly against metal?
Installation guidance advises against direct metal placement. Instead, the Soundproof Sandwich method uses closed-cell foam as a decoupling layer.
How should the seams be handled?
Use a manufacturer-compatible tape or seam treatment to maintain continuity across adjoining sheets. Also, full coverage helps limit open airborne sound paths.
What technical ratings apply?
A published STC figure of 26 is associated with the material, but it requires its test-specimen or construction context and is not a universal installed-assembly rating. The listed heat rating is up to 175°F, and the material is also described as having passed FMVSS 302 fire testing.