Sound Deadending - MIC vs Painted Roof

[Agswin]

Heard from a couple guys that the painted roofs have a lot less sound deadening, has this been confirmed?

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[Tye]

Less as in how? Do you mean the painted tops are materially louder letting even more noise through than the MIC?

 

[Bikeric]

 

[Area51BS]

None have real sound deadening. It’s a carpet/non reflective material that keeps echo down inside. Does little for exterior noise.

 

[rmc523]

Supposedly the painted tops are a different construction and thicker/heavier (don't know how much).
On the MIC tops, they've put a carpet-like headliner on with adhesives on most of the roof surfaces.
Videos I've seen of the painted tops include some sort of foam-like panel in the recessed area on the top of the panel while the surrounding parts do not have the material.

MIC setup:

Painted top interior:

 

[matador62]

I have the painted top. It looks like the photo you attached. I test drive a MIC equipped equivalent model. I did not bring a DB meter nor a laser temperature gauge. I really can’t recall telling any difference between the two with regards to temperature or noise. The foam inserts don’t cover the entire panel. They sit in a void. There is still so much roof that is not insulated (the white section). It honestly looks kind of strange too. When I picked the vehicle originally I asked if it was insulated. They said the panels are “noise deadening” and the roof has built in insulation sandwiched between the top and bottom. I have no idea of knowing what that is, what they used, etc…. The salesman didn’t either and didn’t try to make something up.

fwiw I chose the painted top avoid the MIC problems that Ford has had since day 1 and what originally delayed the hardtop roll out. Also I figured the painted roof would just hold up better. I never planned to take the roof off so I wasn’t worried about scratching it or weight as I figured if it comes off it will never seal correctly again (like my 90s Bronco - OJ edition). . Finally i just liked the look of it. Oh and the roof is covered with a Prinsu tack so it really would be hard to take the roof off now.

Hope that answers your question.

 

[Igotsoul4u]

I have owned both, am a recording engineer, and a complete nut about noises. The construction is different between the MIC and Painted. Looks different and as mentioned has magnetic deadening panels instead of the "carpeted" tops on MIC. I personally noticed a slight reduction in noise with the painted gloss black top I have now. The sound of the door closing is even a little different sounding. I feel like the painted top is sealed off better then my MIC. This could change over time I suppose. My main goal was to get away from the cracking on my MIC top so any other little benefit is just a bonus.

 

[rmc523]

I have owned both, am a recording engineer, and a complete nut about noises. The construction is different between the MIC and Painted. Looks different and as mentioned has magnetic deadening panels instead of the "carpeted" tops on MIC. I personally noticed a slight reduction in noise with the painted gloss black top I have now. The sound of the door closing is even a little different sounding. I feel like the painted top is sealed off better then my MIC. This could change over time I suppose. My main goal was to get away from the cracking on my MIC top so any other little benefit is just a bonus.

I still wish I could've gotten the painted top like I originally wanted to avoid the MIC long term issues (fading, etc) before they had the cracking issues. I've had my back shell replaced once already.

 

[Hemisfear]

I have owned both, am a recording engineer, and a complete nut about noises. The construction is different between the MIC and Painted. Looks different and as mentioned has magnetic deadening panels instead of the "carpeted" tops on MIC. I personally noticed a slight reduction in noise with the painted gloss black top I have now. The sound of the door closing is even a little different sounding. I feel like the painted top is sealed off better then my MIC. This could change over time I suppose. My main goal was to get away from the cracking on my MIC top so any other little benefit is just a bonus.

That was just the effect of your wallet shrinking, masking the sound with the void left behind...lol

 

[ChippiMusic]

Woah! Ok so, I recently had to have my top replaced due to quite a serious leak that developed shortly after taking delivery. I have the factory white painted heritage limited hardtop- yet (quite annoyingly) the extent of my sound deadening is only the subpar adhesive backed carpet situation shown in the first picture. I’d be absolutely ecstatic if I had the ability to accommodate better acoustics while simultaneously benefitting from the improved appearance of a lighter colored headliner!!! Does anyone have more details on fitment of those light colored bits in the photo or perhaps the part numbers for these additional pieces?

 

[Madeinoregon08]

Woah! Ok so, I recently had to have my top replaced due to quite a serious leak that developed shortly after taking delivery. I have the factory white painted heritage limited hardtop- yet (quite annoyingly) the extent of my sound deadening is only the subpar adhesive backed carpet situation shown in the first picture. I’d be absolutely ecstatic if I had the ability to accommodate better acoustics while simultaneously benefitting from the improved appearance of a lighter colored headliner!!! Does anyone have more details on fitment of those light colored bits in the photo or perhaps the part numbers for these additional pieces?

I could be 100% wrong, but I believe these are two completely different hard tops and you cannot just take parts from one and install on another. And I don't believe Ford will be selling the painted hard top a la carte anytime soon. But maybe I'm incorrect!

 

[Tye]

Correst the the white colornon the mod top is a result of the new top manufacturing and cant be applked to the MIC top. Here are the part numbers of the nee Mod rop. Oddly, only the front 2 panels come painted, the middle and rear come primed and need to be painted.

Cap N2DZ-78205G44-A
Middle panel N2DZ-78205G41-A
Right front N2DZ-7851180-GAPTM (paint to match)
Left front N2DZ-7851181-GAPTM (paint to match)

 

[ChippiMusic]

Correst the the white colornon the mod top is a result of the new top manufacturing and cant be applked to the MIC top.

Okay, so question is… would they be compatible with the MOD top that came with my 2 door Heritage Limited?

 

[Tye]

No . the white you are seeing isnt a layer per say that is removable, it is part of the overall material of the top.

 

[Broncogirl84]

Supposedly the painted tops are a different construction and thicker/heavier (don't know how much).
On the MIC tops, they've put a carpet-like headliner on with adhesives on most of the roof surfaces.
Videos I've seen of the painted tops include some sort of foam-like panel in the recessed area on the top of the panel while the surrounding parts do not have the material.

MIC setup:

Painted top interior:

This is not the case in the 2025 models unless they messed mine up. I ordered a painted top and it looks like the top picture. If anyone has a 2025 outer banks with the second picture headliner please let me know. I have been posting on multiple pages and have not received straight answer or even from Ford.

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