Cleaning expanding foam applicators

sussexbaker

Hiya

I bought a canister of expanding foam (No-nonsense gun grade from Screwfix) and have been using it successfully. Since the plastering was done I've not used it, but following the instructions I've left the canister attached to the applicator. I've gone to use it now (discovered a huge draught from the hole where the bathroom waste pipes go through the wall) and it's clogged up. The can is hardly used (I was very sparing in my application of it after dire warnings from friends), can I disconnect it while it's still got (lots of) foam left in it? I've some foam solvent, which the instructions say to screw into the applicator and then 'fire'. Is this a good idea? I assumed that the foam wouldn't react with the applicator but obviously not the case!

beaker141

Youve nothing to lose trying the gun cleaner. Make sure you clean off all the cured foam from the outside to make sure the nozzle is clear from the outside.

If the foam has cured inside the gun then I think youve pretty much had it.

The foam shouldnt have cured in the gun, providing you closed up the rotary control. Did you leave it with the can upside down?

foomanchu

You can buy PU foam eater / cleaner but probably only worthwhile if you use it a lot and not just for a one off.

gas4you

You should only put the cleaner on between changing canisters of foam.

Do not clean it out after every application of the foam.

sussexbaker

Thanks for the advice. Tbh my biggest fear was that when I unscrewed the foam canister it was going to explode all over me! Unscrewed the canister fine, saw foam on the joining nozzle as well. Screwed in the foam eater canister and triggered and nothing came out. UNscrewed it and thought might as well bin both. Took a stanley knife to clear off the cured foam from the end of the applicator, and on the off chance squeezed the trigger....and out came uncured foam. Fitted the eater again and gave it a long squeeze to flush the gun out. Then swapped in the original foam cannister, tried that and back to working order.

It didn't say anything about not storing the foam upside, it was actually lying on it's side. Anyway I've got it stored now so that the foam canister is upright.

So thanks everyone for the advice, I now have a big hole in my bathroom wall slowly filling with foam.

southcoastrgi

Duh of course you have to clean off the end of the gun it's covered with solid foam. :cool: