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
Removing dried foam mechanically
This method is suitable for wooden surfaces and other capricious materials for which aggressive solutions cannot be used. Can also be used for painted and varnished surfaces, if other methods are not suitable - if necessary, the coating can be restored.
Sequencing:
- cut off the dried layer of foam with a sharp knife;
- wipe off any remaining material with fine-grained sandpaper;
- rub the surface until smooth;
- varnish the treated area if necessary.
You can also clean your hands mechanically. To do this, wet the skin well, spread the contaminated areas with a rich cream and remove traces of foam with a pumice stone.
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.
Mechanical cleaning
This type of sealant has a low density, so it can be easily scraped off with a regular knife. This method is applicable only to hard surfaces - metal, glass, thick plastic. But even in this case, you should act carefully, otherwise scratches that are not very aesthetically pleasing will appear.
It is problematic to remove well-set mounting foam from linoleum, as well as from any other delicate surface, including painted ones. It is better to play it safe and before starting repairs, cover the floor with old rags and newspapers, and cover the furniture with film. If you cannot avoid the sealant getting on the surface, you should not wait for it to dry. You should immediately wipe it off with a soft cloth. You can try to carefully scrape off the dried foam with a knife, trying to avoid damage. Do not press too hard, otherwise you will scrape off the varnish and paint along with the sealant.
The nozzle of the mounting gun must be wiped with a dry cloth immediately after use. If the solution begins to harden, it is quite possible to remove the mounting foam with a metal brush or scraper. First, use a knife to get rid of large foam growths. We scrape off the remaining traces of dirt with sandpaper.
Important! Do not try to wash off the sealant with water. After this treatment, it will dry out even more, and it will be more difficult to remove.
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.
How to protect your hands and not get dirty?
Before working with construction foam, take precautions. Wear thick gloves and remove them after installation.
Even if you handle the cylinder or gun correctly, there is a risk of getting dirty with polyurethane foam. Contact with the skin of the hands can cause damage to epithelial cells. If trouble does occur, do not panic, because there are professional means and folk methods for cleaning polyurethane foam. Any method must be used carefully, following the instructions, so as not to cause even more harm to the skin.
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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.
Why is polyurethane and construction foam so difficult to remove?
To understand the reason, let's go through some of the properties of this useful material. First of all, high adhesion attracts attention. This means that the polyurethane foam adheres extremely successfully to almost all surfaces, be it plastic, metal, stone or wood. The second property that makes it difficult to remove is its resistance to moisture and many chemical influences. Consequently, softening the structure of the polyurethane foam after it hardens will be very difficult.
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.
How to change the cylinder without clogging the gun
Gun with cylinder
Often inexperienced guys, when they change foam cylinders on a pistol, dirty everything around: the gun itself, the cylinder, hands, clothes... After all, the cylinders are under pressure. But there is an easy way to avoid this, do everything clean, and be known as a neat master. So, you've run out of gas. You vent the remainder somewhere in the trash so that the residual pressure in the cylinder is minimal. Then turn the gun over with the cylinder facing down and unscrew the empty cylinder while continuing to pull the trigger. This way, you and your gun will not be sprayed with foam; all the gas will go through the spout. Now screw the balloon in the same way, holding the gun upside down. At some point you will hear “pfff”, that’s it, at that moment the valve worked and foam went into the gun. Everything around is clean.
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Foam for installation has a complex chemical composition. It hardens for several hours, after which it becomes a solid substance. Some installation jobs require a small amount of foam. If the gun is removed from the container and cleaned immediately while the mixture is liquid, there will be no problems.
Many people forget about the “hygiene” of the device and during the next use they encounter a problem: the gun is clogged with hardened product. It is not possible to squeeze it out; you have to buy a new unit. Is it possible to dissolve dried foam at home? And what you need to do? We will explain in detail.
