Due to the specific nature of the material, even experienced craftsmen run the risk that the sealant will get on the windows themselves and stain them.
In this case, you will need to clean the polyurethane foam using special products or home recipes.
We’ll tell you in this article how to clean fresh and old foam from plastic windows.
Effective ways to deal with a fresh stain of polyurethane foam
Of course, freshly dripped foam on a window sill or window profile can be easily removed using a construction spatula, simply by prying off the dirt. However, there are times when the remains have time to harden a little. In this case, scraping with sharp objects will only ruin the appearance. Therefore, you can use one of the methods listed below or choose several of them.
Dried foam on a plastic window from the outside Source po-chistim.ru
Hot vegetable oil
It can be olive or sunflower. To prepare the cleaner, follow these steps:
- take a small cauldron and pour one glass of oil into it;
- heat it to boiling temperature;
- then take a clean rag and soak it generously in oil;
- Without wasting time, wipe the contaminated surface of the plastic.
This method is effective. It is absolutely harmless, both for the profile and for humans, because it does not contain chemically hazardous components.
Hot vegetable oil to dissolve fresh foam on the window Source legkovmeste.ru
Carpets
Soft textiles and fleecy fabrics easily bond with polyurethane sealant, which penetrates into the fibers, and it will be difficult to remove dried foam with a knife or scraper. In addition, there is a risk of damaging the material.
Depending on the type of carpet, you can clean the foam in the following ways:
- Carpet - the remains are carefully cut off with knives closer to the surface of the floor covering and thoroughly washed with water.
- Carpet with pile - cover with a wet rag to soften it, then scrape it off with a spatula.
- Lint-free carpet - use varnish solvent, acetone or Dimexide. After treatment, the carpet is washed with detergent.
If the dirt has become deeply embedded in the fleecy fabric, part of the pile will have to be cut off or plucked out. Foam is easier to clean from carpet, but fabric coverings after treatment with chemical compounds must be washed or dry-cleaned so that a specific odor does not remain.
Dried sealant: how to deal with it
It is more difficult to remove polyurethane foam that has got onto the PVC window profile and has already existed there for some period. Then the above methods are unlikely to help cope with the task. Therefore, we move on to more radical cleaning options.
"Demexide"
“Demexide” is a pharmaceutical drug familiar to everyone, and it should be used only in the manner described in the instructions below:
- take a sharp paint knife and carefully remove the top part of the dried sealant;
- moisten a cotton pad or just a piece of cotton wool generously with Demexide;
- then diligently rub the area where there is contamination with sealant;
- Place the cotton pad on the stained area and leave it on it for 10-15 minutes.
Using dimexide to clean polyurethane foam on windows Source odstroy.ru
This period is more than enough to dissolve the remaining congealed dirt. Now simply rinse the area as usual.
Note! If the surface of the window frame is varnished, do not use this drug. It is capable of removing part of the top layer of coating along with the hardened foam. In the future, this place will be noticeable, as a stain will form on it.
Professional cleaner for removing polyurethane foam from plastic windows Source luxury-house.org
Special cleaning liquid
Construction stores sell a special liquid that can remove gun foam contamination. It dissolves all the pieces and the instrument becomes like new again. There are even kits on sale: sealant plus cleaner. You need to use this to clean the PVC frame according to the following algorithm:
- take a pure white rag or napkin and soak it in foam remover;
- then apply to the dried piece of foam and hold in this position for 5-10 minutes;
- if the sealant is on a vertical surface, glue the rags with masking tape;
- After time has passed, simply remove any remaining dirt.
You don’t have to leave the rag in the product on the surface of the profile; it may be enough to just wipe the coating thoroughly.
Important! Cleaning liquid for polyurethane foam should be applied using only a white, non-dyed cloth. Otherwise, you risk leaving pigment from a rag or napkin on the profile. And it will be more difficult to remove than polyurethane foam, especially if the frame is matte.
Features of removing dried foam
Dried foam does not dissolve well with chemical compounds. It has to be soaked for a long time with aggressive compounds, which does not go away without consequences for the plastic.
Therefore, the main method for removing hardened foam is mechanical methods - carefully cutting off excess foam, delicate scraping with a spatula or a safety razor blade.
You can wash off the residue with acetone or organic solvents of this series, but they leave noticeable marks on the plastic, especially on a glossy surface. Any chemical effect of compounds capable of dissolving or at least loosening dried foam will inevitably affect the condition of the plastic profile. Therefore, experienced people prefer mechanical cleaning, which is extremely careful and delicate.
From a double glazed window
If foam remains on the surface of the glass, you can use a combined cleaning method. To do this, you must first remove it using a knife blade, spatula or chisel. It is necessary to act without haste, very carefully and carefully.
The main mistake of inexperienced people is trying to speed up the process - they begin to press intensely on the cutting edge, strongly scraping the blade against the glass.
As a result, the foam is removed, but scratches remain on the surface. They are small, but clearly visible. There is no way to remove them. Therefore, we must work extremely carefully.
When excess foam has been removed, take a soft swab (for example, a cotton pad) and moisten it in acetone. Begin to scrub off the foam, periodically adding acetone to the cotton pad. There is no need to rush, the work will move slowly, but the result is guaranteed. After cleaning is complete, you can wipe the glass with a damp cloth.
From the windowsill
Cleaning a window sill requires the use of gentle chemical compounds. As a rule, the plastic on it has a slightly rough, textured surface without gloss.
This allows you to use acetone or solvents that work well with foam residues.
First, large pieces are removed mechanically - cut off with a knife blade or removed with a spatula. When a thin, almost imperceptible layer remains, take an old toothbrush and moisten it in acetone (solvent). They begin to scrub the stain, trying not to go beyond it. The process is not fast, but quite effective. When the result seems quite acceptable, wipe the surface with a damp cloth.
Special equipment
There are a lot of expensive compounds that can remove both fresh and hardened polyurethane foam on a window profile. Just be sure to read the instructions before using them. Since the compositions may not be suitable for use on colored PVC frames.
Special branded cleaner for polyurethane foam Source krsk.au.ru
When a suitable liquid has been selected, the principle of its use is no different from those listed above. Only with the help of a special product will it be much faster to deal with the sealant.
Secrets of professional installers
Wash
Professional installers use a homemade composition, which in construction slang is called “wash.” Its components:
- acetone - 100 g
- solvent 649 - 100 g
- vinegar essence - 200 g
These components are mixed and used to remove foam. Dampen a clean (not colored) rag and wipe off the stain. If necessary, repeat the cleaning until the expected result is obtained. The main condition is a preliminary check of the reaction of the plastic to the composition. If it cannot withstand contact with the remover, this method cannot be used.
What to do if polyurethane foam gets on the window glass
It is possible that contaminants, in particular polyurethane foam, may get on the glass. Even if you try to remove them right away, stains will remain one way or another. In this case, the following algorithm of actions comes to the rescue:
- Take a small piece of cotton wool and soak it in any of the solvents: White Spirit, acetone and others.
- Rub the surface of the dirty glass: after which the residue will be completely removed.
- You can try to remove the sealant dry: to do this, cut off the main part of the drop, and then scrape off the remains with a blade, just do not scratch the glass.
For such cleaning, it is recommended to use a special glass tool. It consists of a blade with a handle and limiters. It is safe to work with them, because no matter how you tilt the tool, it will be impossible to scratch the glass.
Precautionary measures
Foam is a substance with a high degree of adhesion. This means that the foam molecules penetrate deeply into the material and bind tightly to it.
Polyurethane foam is used to blow in cracks when installing doors
While installing the door structure and blowing in cracks, stick a protective film on those areas where the product can get in. This is better than then standing for hours and trying to wash off the frozen mass.
Protective film is not a 100% guarantee of cleanliness. Droplets can still get into some places, and even those who have been working with the installation substance for many years are not immune from this.
Sources
- https://VseoDveri.ru/montazh/chem-otteret-montazhnuyu-penu-s-dveri-sposoby/
- https://wizard-aerosol.com/germetiki/chem-otmyt-montazhnuyu-penu-s-lyuboy-poverhnosti-10-sposobov.html
- https://DomZnatok.ru/uborka/sovety/kak-otteret-montazhnuyu-penu/
- https://DecorObot.ru/stirka/chem-otmyt-montazhnuyu-penu.html
- https://poleznii-site.ru/dom/byt/kak-otteret-montazhnuyu-penu-s-ruk.html
- https://home-gid.com/sovety/kak-i-chem-otteret-montazhnuyu-penu-s-ruk.html
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- https://hozzi.ru/sovety/chem-otmyt-penu-montazhnuyu-s-ruk
- https://adella.ru/home/cleaning/chem-otmyt-montazhnuyu-penu.html
- https://topalexdoors.com/kak-smyt-montazhnuyu-penu-s-dveri/
- https://chistota.info/chem-otteret-montazhnuyu-penu-s-dveri.html
- https://nn.tbmmarket.ru/help/useful-articles/item/4519/kak-ochistit-montazhnuyu-penu/
- https://uteplitel-minol.ru/remont-i-stroitelstvo/chem-otteret-zasohshuyu-montazhnuyu-penu.html
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Products that are prohibited from cleaning polyurethane foam on PVC windows
In general, a large number of compounds and tools are offered for cleaning windows. But not all of them are safe. This section lists tools and products that are strictly prohibited to use for cleaning foam on plastic profiles. Here they are:
- an abrasive kitchen sponge (its hard side will only scratch the coating, which means dirt will penetrate deeper into the plastic layer);
- metal brushes have the same effect as the previous item on the integrity of the surface;
- cleaning products based on soda and rough parts resembling fine sand. They, in turn, do grinding, accordingly the profile will lose its glossy appearance and become matte;
- solvents No. 646 and No. 647. The proposed compositions also dissolve the top coating of the plastic window along with the frozen foam.
Doors and windows
The polyurethane composition includes catalysts and stabilizers, which are responsible for the consumption and foaming of the material. After the expiration of the specified excess balances are very difficult. There are effective ways to clean polyurethane foam without damaging the area being treated.
Basic means for cleaning polyurethane foam from the surface of a door or window opening:
- Acetone and a liquid based on it effectively dissolve the polyurethane mixture, but will leave marks on the varnished surface.
- To remove fresh composition, cleaning agents ULTIMA and PENOSIL are suitable, which effectively remove the applied sealant.
- Professional products Penosil-Premium, Cosmofen, Isofoam R621 are used to remove hardened residues from plastic.
Main
- Before installation work, cover everything in the room with film or oilcloth and remove valuables. Wear old clothes and cover your skin.
- If traces of foam remain on the surface, remove them immediately with a solvent or folk remedy. Fresh stains are easier to remove than dried ones.
- Use a knife to scrape off foam only from wooden surfaces. Clean any other materials with a hard sponge.
- Before purchasing a professional solvent, read the instructions on the package: it will indicate for which surfaces it is suitable.
Parquet and parquet boards
Floor coverings made of parquet and parquet boards are painted and varnished to protect against moisture and highlight the structure of the wood. Aggressive chemical components corrode the varnish if used on a parquet floor. To better remove stains, complete polymerization must be prevented. As soon as the polyurethane dries slightly and stops sticking to your hands, you need to carefully pull the edge of the foam mass and tear it away from the parquet. Traces can be removed with any cleaning agent.
If the mass has hardened greatly, cut off the remaining sealant with a knife. The area of contamination is treated with Dimexide solution. After 15 minutes, the mounting foam will be easily wiped off, and no traces of dirt will remain on the varnished surface. Before applying chemical compounds, you should check their effect on the parquet in an inconspicuous place. If the varnish is destroyed, it is better to choose Dimexide.
