should have my kicks in within a couple of weeks, but i want to do the deadener first. i've never done it before and am looking for any pics you might have of the deadener behind the kicks.

 

I'd lay a layer or 2 of sound deadener on all metal surfaces behind the kicks. I'd also remove the rubber piece that covers the "hole" that vents into the area behind the metal panel. With the high-q woofers used in most component sets, your best sound is going to come from opening up the back of the kick panel, and allowing it to take advantage of that airspace behind the metal panel. Damp it well, throw some high density foam (I like carpet padding from Home Depot) and toss in some polyfill.

 

lay the foam over the top of the dampener?

 

Yeah. The dampening stuff is just to add mass to the metal so that it doesn't resonate and make nasty noises. The foam pad is to help absorb sound to prevent reflection. A little spray adhesive on one side of the foam should probably do the trick.

The foam I use is 1/2" thick carpet padding. Last time I bought it it was red, but who knows if that's always the case. One side has a nice surface that you can spray the glue onto and stick to the panel.

 

So put the polyfill inside of the hole, and put the dampener on top of the sound deadener?

 

put the polyfill whereever you can stuff it, and yes, put the foam over the damping material.