In a message dated 5/24/99 9:48:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM writes:

<< Automobile manufacturers and body shops use Q-pads almost exclusively for
 one reason: no cheaper solution works.  Tear back the trunk carpeting in
 your Jetta, look at the floor of your Golf, look under the carpeting in a
 Honda, a Ford, a Chevy, even the lowliest model of Toyota has Q-pads on the
 floor. They work, and if car companies could find a less expensive
 solution, they would be using it. >>

Also look at the rear deck and under the rear seat of a watercooled Vanagon.
This is coated with a Q-pad-like substance.  Look under the carpet of a
watercooled Vanagon (could be the same in aircooleds I have never ripped one
apart) and you will notice a nice thick layer of sound deadening cork
material.  Now look in the walls of my Carat Vanagon or even a watercooled
Westie and you will find fiberglass insulation to insulate against the
elements and keep noise levels down.  Listen to the pleasant gurgle of a
wasserboxer engine (one of the few good points) and you will notice that VW
was making an effort at noise pollution reduction in the newer Vanagons.
What am I saying?  My Carat is quiet as can be and I don't have to spend any
extra time or money to make it that way.  Thanks VW!
Ken Wilford
Van-Again
John 3:16