Tired of doing repairs without special equipment, you finally decided to use a mounting gun and purchased one - is this a familiar situation? But from that moment on, problems began: the material is not laid out evenly, it can even come off, the gun is clogged. This is quite expected, because a beginner needs to master some rules in order to use a foam gun without difficulty and do the job efficiently. In this article we will discuss in detail how to do this.
The device of the gun for polyurethane foam
The construction of the spray foam gun is quite simple. If you look at the cross-section of the construction of a spray foam gun, you can see an elongated barrel (tube). The tool includes the following elements:
- Handle (necessary for holding the tool, made of high-quality polymer or aluminum). Acts as a retainer for all other parts of the tool. The handle usually has special finger gaps that help you hold the gun while doing work.
- Trigger (required to adjust the release of sealant from the can). The trigger mechanism allows you to control the speed of release of the foam. If you press the trigger firmly, the sealant will come out faster.
- Screw (adjusting element that controls the release of sealant). It is usually located near the handle, with its help the trigger mechanism is fixed in the closed position, which is important to ensure when storing and transporting the tool. Using the adjusting screw, you can select the appropriate release speed of the sealant at the moment. An extremely useful element when a large amount of work is expected to be performed.
- A tube. It has two valves of different sizes at once, which allows you to create high pressure.
- Trunk. Its length can be about 15-20 cm. It can be collapsible or non-dismountable. The first ones are much more convenient and better, because you can completely clean the tool from any remaining sealant. It’s great if the surface of the barrel is polished.
- Nozzle (small diameter device to create sufficient pressure).
- Fastening the handle to the barrel (performed using an easily removable nut).
- Adapter (presented in the form of an adapter connecting the can with sealant and tool).
This type of tool is designed for long-term, rather than one-time use. Therefore, upon completion of the work, it is necessary to clean the gun and remove any remaining sealant from it.
The main types of guns for polyurethane foam
When choosing a model, special attention is paid to the material of manufacture. The cheapest are plastic guns for foam sealant. They do not use metal parts. You can also find metal and combined models.
- Plastic. Inexpensive, easy to use pistols. They usually do not have a long service life and are not suitable for disassembly, so after a breakdown it is recommended to immediately buy a new tool. The package often includes replaceable nozzles. Such models are suitable for short-term household use.
- Metal. High-quality, strong, reliable, durable models that are designed for long-term operation with different types of sealants. These spray foam guns are dismountable, so they can be repaired if necessary. The approximate service life is about 2-3 years with proper care.
- Combined. Combined models are made of metal and plastic parts. The barrel is usually made of metal, and the remaining elements are made of plastic. Such models are lightweight and have a decent level of strength.
If the choice fell on a combined model, then before purchasing you need to make sure that it is collapsible. If the gun cannot be disassembled, then there is no point in overpaying - it is recommended to buy a cheap plastic model.
The highest quality and most expensive option is Teflon coated guns. These are high quality models that rarely break down, have a long service life and are easy to maintain. The models are expensive and produced by well-known Russian and foreign manufacturers. Designed for professional and long-term use, constant use (daily use is possible). No special care is required, but users must follow basic guidelines for cleaning the instrument.
Main characteristics
When choosing a model, it is recommended to take a closer look at the following performance characteristics of the tool:
- Manufacturing material (Teflon coating, metal, high-strength polymer material, ordinary plastic).
- Availability for repair (if the tool can be disassembled and some parts can be replaced, then it will last much longer).
- The presence of an adjustment mechanism (it is important that you can adjust the release speed of the sealant and the output volume).
- Brand (it is recommended to look only at products from well-known brands, especially if you are purchasing an expensive tool).
Replacing the cylinder
When foam stops flowing from the cylinder, it is necessary to replace it with a new one. First, you should make sure that it is really empty. The remaining foam is then released into a waste bin. This is done until all the foam comes out of the container.
The new container must be shaken thoroughly. This is done within 15–20 seconds. Now you can unscrew the old cylinder, clean the place where the gun connects to the cylinder, and immediately screw on the new one. There is no need to clean the gun. It must be filled with foam immediately.
Instructions for using a spray foam gun
Anyone can apply sealant, because you can use a special gun for polyurethane foam without having any construction or installation skills. If there are instructions for use, it is recommended that you read them before using the spray foam gun.
Charger
Cans of sealant have a protective cap, which allows the substance to be stored airtight. Before use, you must remove the cap and insert the can into the holder. A particularly important point is that when applying the sealant canister should be kept upside down at all times.
To insert a can into a gun, you need to hold the tool with one hand and insert the can with the other, making offensive rotational movements. To make the mixture inside the can homogeneous, you need to shake it for 30-40 seconds.
Application of polyurethane foam
It is necessary to moisten the treated area in advance. Humidity is required so that the processes of application and swelling of polyurethane foam occur faster. You should also pay attention to the following recommendations:
- Do not press the trigger mechanism sharply and quickly, because there is a high probability of it breaking. The pressure should be light and soft, not jerky. In such a situation, the likelihood of mechanism failure is reduced and a good, uniform release of the substance is ensured.
- The treated area must be completely filled with foam. The principle of operation of the spray foam gun is based on the fact that the sealant must be applied by making zigzag movements with the nozzle in different directions.
- To change the volume of outgoing sealant, you need to use the adjustment screw. The feed volume must be changed depending on the type, depth and size of the surface, crack or gap.
- To ensure that the foam does not lose its homogeneity, you need to shake the can and the tool from time to time.
How to replace a container with polyurethane foam?
Constant work with a spray foam gun involves systematically replacing the sealant bottle. To do this, you need to perform some manipulations:
- The barrel of the tool must be directed into an empty deep container.
- To remove the remaining mounting sealant from the tool, you need to press the trigger firmly and wait until everything comes out.
- Then the tool must be turned over so that the handle is on top.
- After this, you can unscrew the empty cylinder.
- Finally, you can slightly moisten the mounting area and install a new cylinder. After this, you can continue working with the foam gun.
Completion of work
Upon completion of all work, when you no longer plan to use the foam gun in the near future, you need to tighten the adjusting screw tightly. This is necessary so that the sealant does not have access to air.
If work is planned to be resumed soon, there is no need to remove the gun. This will prevent the polyurethane foam from drying out, because... she will be constantly under pressure.
If the polyurethane foam stays in the gun for more than 2-3 days, it will most likely begin to thicken. It is strongly recommended that you clean and empty the tool if you are not planning to resume work within the next few days or weeks.
Peculiarities
In the process of installing door frames, as well as PVC windows (metal-plastic models), you cannot do without the use of polyurethane foam. Professionals say that applying the product manually is very difficult. Special equipment allows installation to be carried out in the shortest possible time. Specialized stores offer a wide variety of different tool models for practical and convenient use of the composition. The foam cylinders themselves also have distinctive characteristics.
Despite the rich assortment, most types of products are universal. That is, almost all manufactured cylinders are suitable for most pistols.
When working with foam, you must definitely think about personal safety . Professionals strongly recommend wearing gloves and protecting your eyes with construction glasses.
You should also carefully study the instructions for using the product, especially if you do not have proper experience in handling it.
Reusing a foam gun
Before starting work, you need to shake the gun well with a container of polyurethane foam inserted into it. Hardened sealant, which probably remains on the tip of the barrel after previous use, can be removed with a knife or scissors, or other suitable means at hand.
Then you need to release the adjusting screw. We must wait until there is a normal flow of polyurethane foam. Only after this can you begin to reuse the gun.
On video: Gun for polyurethane foam. How to use and clean?
The foaming process from a straw and its disadvantages
Manual foaming through a plastic tube is identical to professional foaming, only it is performed without a gun directly from the container.
For large volumes of work, this has its disadvantages:
- dosed feeding from a pistol allows you to economically use the contents of the container, which cannot be said about a plastic tube;
- ease of use of the tool reduces time costs. Constantly holding the balloon upside down by hand is very tiring and sometimes inconvenient. The hand gets tired and constant breaks are required.
Having familiarized yourself with how to use polyurethane foam, let everyone decide for themselves what is more profitable for them.
Cleaning the gun
Manufacturers recommend immediately upon completion of work to clean the foam gun so that in the future you will be able to use it again without any problems. Caring for a spray foam gun is a must (especially if the tool is expensive). Cleaning work is carried out in the following sequence:
- The first step is to unscrew the sealant bottle, but the outlet hole of the screw must be kept away from you, because if there is pressure, the remaining consumable material will come out of it. They can potentially get on your face and eyes, which can be unpleasant and dangerous.
- Next, you need to attach a cleaning agent to the gun. As such a product, you can use ordinary acetone (special pressurized cans are sold). Next, you need to pull the trigger so that the tool is filled with cleaning material.
- When filled, the gun should be left for 15-20 minutes. Then you need to pull the trigger again so that the tool is washed with the cleaning solution. Upon completion of washing, the acetone bottle is immediately unscrewed.
- After this, the area where the cylinder is attached should be cleaned of acetone residues (you can use a regular sponge) and lubricated with oil (it is recommended to choose Vaseline).
It is prohibited to lubricate any parts with substances that could potentially lead to corrosion processes. If the tool is metal, if there is corrosion in the barrel and other elements, most likely it will not be possible to use it again in the future.
It is recommended to clean the instrument using this method once every 2-3 months (if the instrument is used on an ongoing basis). If the gun is rarely used, then the procedure should also be carried out for prevention, but once every 6-9 months.
There is no need to do any cleaning if the model is made of plastic or is cheap in itself. In this case, you just need to throw away the tool after use. And the next time you need to carry out work, buy a new one similar to it.
Washing, maintenance and storage
If there is a need to take a short break between work, for example, for a day, then you can only store the gun upside down. However, if hissing sounds appear while unscrewing the adapter, the cylinder should be returned.
Since it is difficult to clean a gun with dried foam, it is better to wash it. For such manipulation, you will need cylinders with a special composition, which can be installed in a similar way.
Before rinsing, the container should be purged so that nothing can remain in it. Then the gun is moved to the working position, the specialized composition is introduced into the device with a short press on the start. The instrument must be kept in this state for 10 minutes. After this, the contents of the gun are released by introducing another dose of cleaning agent. These steps must be repeated until the escaping liquid becomes clear.
Dried foam on the outside of the instrument is removed with solvent 646.
Storing the tool for a long period of time requires that the stop screw be fully tightened.
Since it is difficult to clean a gun with dried foam, it is better to wash it.
Precautionary measures
Any work that involves removing old cylinders and attaching new ones, or cleaning tools must be performed taking into account safety precautions. Otherwise, there is a high probability of damaging surrounding objects and causing harm to health.
The main recommendation is that you should not point the tool at yourself or others. This is a dangerous tool because the sealant is under high constant pressure. While performing work, you must use safety glasses. It is recommended to use personal protective equipment when working with a caulk gun. Poor quality models may break during pressure application, potentially causing serious injury. Therefore, equipment is necessary: safety glasses, gloves, work clothes.
It is also necessary to ensure high-quality ventilation during work on applying polyurethane foam to protect the lungs from the penetration of harmful chemicals. Household sealants intended for indoor use do not contain toxic or hazardous substances, but do not allow room ventilation when applying them. This can negatively affect the respiratory system. It is necessary to completely limit access to the instrument to children.
Types of foam material
The variety of materials is determined by the area of use, which differs in the volume of contents in the cylinders. The volume of the container for industrial needs is at least 1.5 liters, and for domestic use from 0.6 to 0.8 liters.
In addition, a solution for industrial work will cost a little more, but this is due to its high wear resistance, high strength and the presence of a large volume in cylinders. However, using such foam is more difficult.
Foam can also be classified according to such technical characteristics as the seasonality of materials. Thus, foam can be: winter, summer and universal.
The volume of the container for industrial needs is at least 1.5 liters, and for domestic use from 0.6 to 0.8 liters.
Advantages of using a spray foam gun
Guns for polyurethane foam are an excellent option for household repairs and professional use in construction and installation work. The use of this tool ensures:
- Exact dosage. The presence of a trigger allows the user to squeeze out the amount of sealant that he currently needs. Using the trigger mechanism, you can easily control the speed of release of the polyurethane foam from the cylinder.
- Ease of application. The barrel of the pistol is a long, rigid rod with a special thin tip (nozzle). Thanks to this design, it is possible to apply polyurethane foam to any cracks and remote areas, which is almost impossible to achieve with a standard plastic tube. The presence of a handle allows you to firmly hold the gun with one hand.
- Saving foam consumption. Due to the precision of application and the ability to fully control the release rate of the mounting sealant, significant savings are ensured. It is calculated that when using a gun, savings reach approximately 100% when compared with using a conventional plastic tube. In other words, the consumption is half as much.
Anyone can use a foam gun - just read the short instructions to learn how to load it and apply sealant. The main rule is not to leave the tool dirty after use, do not allow moisture to get on it (if the model is made of metal).
How to use a spray foam gun? (2 videos)
Rules for using a spray foam gun (15 photos)
Product examples
Most chemical foam removers have similar composition and instructions. The price range is 100-300 rubles per cylinder. Product examples:
- Henkel;
- Profflex;
- Penosil;
- Marconflex;
- Monta;
- SOUDAL;
- Grover remover;
- Bison expert.
Many manufacturers produce foam complete with a solvent for it, for example Tytan.
If you urgently need to remove foam from the gun, but there is no bottle at hand, then use substitutes. These are acetone, white spirit and other paint and varnish solvents, gasoline, turpentine. Using them is a little more difficult than ready-made cylinders, which are screwed onto the gun in one movement, but if you follow the instructions, you will maintain the serviceability of the gun using these methods.
Advice: Disposable pistols should not be cleaned with solvent. They are inexpensive, it will be more profitable to purchase a new tool.
When purchasing and using flushing fluid, always read the instructions. Store cylinders away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
The mixture is explosive, so avoid smoking near an open container. Even if the container is empty, do not disassemble it or burn it.
