How to clean the mounting gun after foam. Washing the foam gun: cleaning technique and washing nuances. More complex cleaning methods

To carry out repair and construction work, a foam gun is very often used. The mechanism for using the device is very simple, so it is used by both professional craftsmen and amateurs.

The gun allows you to accurately and efficiently fill the seams using polyurethane foam. But every instrument needs care. This rule especially applies to the gun, since dried sealant can affect the operation of the tool.

Peculiarities

Modern manufacturers of construction equipment offer a wide range of high-quality and convenient guns for working with polyurethane foam. The rules for cleaning this instrument depend largely on its type.

Today the following types of mounting guns are offered for sale:

• Plastic. They are generally considered disposable, since plastic is an intolerable material. This tool does not need to be cleaned. If the work of filling the seams is completely completed, and there is still foam left in the balloon, then it is necessary to wipe the nozzle of the gun from any remaining sealant, and in the future the gun with the balloon can be used again.

• Metal. They are characterized by durability and reliability. A pistol made of high-quality metal can be used for several years. This option can be easily disassembled for thorough cleaning of foam residues.
• Teflon. This variety is the most durable, high-quality and expensive. Each metal part is protected with a Teflon coating. Cleaning this gun is quite easy. The tool can be disassembled to remove the sealant.

The mounting gun offers many advantages:

• produces precise dosage of foam;
• regulates the speed of sealant supply;
• allows the use of foam even in places with limited access;

• It is enough to release the trigger to stop feeding the material;
• allows you to use only part of the container with sealant, while you can be sure that the foam will not harden until the next time;
• If you use the gun every day, there is no need to remove the frozen material.

The peculiarity of the mechanism of the mounting gun is that during pauses between work it guarantees complete protection of the sealant from oxygen, so the foam is not prone to drying out. The tightness of the valve is ensured by the foam residues that remain at the end of the tube, and the closed trigger mechanism is responsible for the tightness of the cylinder.

To start working again, just cut off the foam ball on the tool nozzle.

When should you clean?

When choosing a high-quality spray foam gun, you should focus on the material and price of the tool. Expensive options are characterized by a long service life. There is no need to buy a new tool every time, so an expensive gun can easily pay for itself.

The lifespan of a mounting gun depends on its maintenance. After work, sealant remains inside the tool. It will not damage the product if you quickly clean the nozzle, barrel, adapter and other elements of the mechanism.

It is not always possible to clean the foam gun after finishing work, so many encounter hardened foam. In this case, eliminating it will take more effort and time.

Inexperienced craftsmen do not always understand why they need to clean the gun, so they ignore this procedure. As a result, with further use, it stops working because the foam has dried out and the barrel is clogged. The tool requires cleaning if the repair and construction work has already been completed. Next time it will be ready for use.

If you need to seal the seams with foam once, then there is no need to spend money on buying a gun; then you can get by just with a bottle of sealant with a special applicator.

According to experience, even home craftsmen prefer pistols, since they will have to be used more than once.

If you clean it correctly and regularly, it will last for many years.

What can I wash it with?

To ensure that the gun is always ready for use, ideally it should be washed after each use. Experts recommend washing the tool, even if you plan to change the container with sealant from one manufacturer to another, or want to use foam of a different heat resistance.

Typically, materials from different companies have different impurities in their composition, and if they come into contact, they can turn into a mixture that no cleaner can eliminate. The tool will have to be thrown away.

When purchasing a sealant, you should immediately purchase a cleaner so that they are from the same manufacturer. This approach will allow you to clean the gun quickly and easily, since the company has produced the most effective cleaner for personally produced sealant.

In reality, you don’t always have a cleaner at hand or free time to wash the tool, so washing the gun is usually done at the end of the working day.

If there is no special means for cleaning tools from foam, then you can use improvised means.

One of the most effective home methods is to use Dimexide. With its help you can dissolve the foam in a few minutes.

How to clean it properly?

To ensure high-quality cleaning of the foam gun, you should follow the following procedure:

• It is necessary to remove the empty sealant bottle from the gun, while the tool should be located at the top.
• To clean the instrument you will need a special bottle of cleaner.
• The flushing agent must be fixed in the same place where the sealant was located, but before using it, the cap must be removed from it.

• It is necessary to bring the gun into working condition, with the cleaner bottle located at the top.
• Gently pull the gun trigger and continue this action until foam stops coming out of the tool nozzle.
• Remove the chemical container.
• If after cleaning the product has not run out, then it should be closed with a lid, and the composition can be used for the next cleaning of the instrument.

If it was not possible to clean the gun immediately after finishing work, then before cleaning it is forbidden to pull the trigger of the tool, because this can break the entire mechanism.

You need to do the following:

• Using a sharp object, remove the remaining frozen foam from the instrument barrel.
• You can wash the gun with Dimexide or acetone.
• You should lower the device with the nozzle down, and drop a few drops of solvent into the trigger mechanism.
• Leave the tool in this position for one minute until the foam inside the tool begins to soften.

• Squeeze the trigger with ease.
• If the pressure is gentle and foam comes out of the nozzle, this means that the product has worked and the gun can be used for work.
• If the sealant does not appear from the nozzle, then you need to drip a few drops of the cleaner onto the ball located in the device adapter.
• After five minutes, screw on the cleaner bottle and gently pull the trigger.

If the methods described above for cleaning the gun did not help eliminate the frozen foam, then all that remains is to disassemble the tool:

• it must be held from the bottom of the nest;
• first unscrew the crown;
• remove the valve;
• drip the cleaner into the socket and onto the remaining internal parts of the tool;

• leave in this state for 20 minutes;
• use a cotton cloth to remove any remaining foam;
• Next you need to assemble the tool;
• wash with solvent.

If more than six hours have passed after finishing working with the gun, then you can immediately proceed to the mechanical cleaning method, since during this time the sealant hardens tightly inside, so ordinary washing cannot cope with the task.

The mounting gun is an indispensable tool in construction. But what to do if it gets clogged? How to clean it from hardened foam?

Which polyurethane foam guns can be cleaned?

A mounting gun is a tool for sealing cracks and holes with special foam, which requires special attention and care. Methods for cleaning it differ depending on the type of device.

The mounting gun is an indispensable assistant in construction

1. Metal. The most reliable and durable. Its service life can be up to 5 years. It is easy to clean.
2. Teflon. It is of very high quality. In it, metal surfaces are protected with a Teflon coating. As a result, it is easy to clean. The procedure for removing foam is the same as for a metal tool.
3. Plastic. Most often disposable, so cleaning it is impractical. If it has not run out of foam, then immediately after finishing work its nozzle should be washed with solvent. This will prepare the device for further use.

The most popular pistols - gallery

The metal gun is not only reliable to use, but also easy to clean. Cleaning a Teflon gun is easy, the main thing is to take care of its coating It is important to clean the plastic gun immediately after completion of work.

How to clean your instrument at home

There are special products for cleaning the mounting gun. It is better to purchase them together with the tool. Moreover, the manufacturer of the foam and the product for removing it must be the same. Otherwise, the procedure for getting rid of building material will be somewhat more complicated and will take more time.

After finishing the workflow, follow these steps:

1. Remove the used foam canister from the device.
2. In its place, fix the cleaner with the cleaner, having first removed the cap from it.
3. Press the trigger until no more foam comes out of the nozzle.

If the cleaner canister is not completely used up, close it with the protective cap and save it for next time.

We follow safety precautions

The solvent, like any chemical, is not very beneficial to health. When using a cylinder, basic safety precautions should be observed:

• When cleaning, the nozzle should be directed downwards. This way you will avoid getting the solvent in your eyes or on your clothes;
• keep the cylinder away from open flames, heaters and direct sunlight;
• Do not attempt to open or burn an empty cleaner container;
• do not smoke while using the solvent canister;
• If liquid gets into your eyes, you should immediately consult a doctor;
• If exposed areas of the body are affected, treat them with a soda solution (1 teaspoon of soda per glass of water at room temperature) or laundry soap, and then rinse thoroughly with water.

How to remove foam with acetone

If you do not have a special liquid, you can use acetone at home. Pour it into the tool nozzle and use a wire or cleaning rod to completely clean the device. You need to act carefully so as not to damage delicate and vulnerable parts.

Cleaning the gun with acetone - video

How to wash hardened foam

If the tool has not been cleaned immediately after use, then under no circumstances should you pull the trigger before starting cleaning. The release mechanism may break. Here's how to properly clean a gun from hardened foam:

1. Clean the barrel of any adhering foam. You can use a knife. Be careful not to scratch the piston.
2. Place the gun with the nozzle down and drop Dimexide into the trigger mechanism. After a minute, carefully pull the trigger. If it starts to move and foam comes out of the nozzle, then the gun is ready for use. If this does not happen, then you need to move on to the next cleaning step.
3. There is a small ball next to the device for screwing the cylinder. Apply a few drops of Dimexide to it. After 5 minutes, attach the cleaner bottle. Squeeze the trigger smoothly.
4. If the previous methods do not help, disassemble the tool. Holding it at the bottom of the socket, carefully unscrew the crown, then remove the valve. Place chemical solvent or Dimexide into the socket and into all internal parts of the device. After 20 minutes, remove any remaining dirt with a cotton cloth. Then reassemble the gun and clean it with solvent. After such cleaning, the device may produce less pressure during operation.

If more than 6 hours have passed since the completion of the work, then it is better to carry out complete disassembly immediately. In this case, the foam has had time to dry, so the tool needs to be cleaned only mechanically, without experimenting with screwing in the cleaner and pressing the trigger - this is dangerous.

"Demixid" is the most effective home remedy that will remove polyurethane foam in a matter of minutes

Cleaning the tool from dried material - video

Is it possible to do without cleaning the nozzle?

A mounting gun is an irreplaceable thing. At the same time, it has one drawback: in order for the tool to retain its properties, it must be cleaned after each use. However, there is a method that allows you to avoid this procedure and keep the nozzle in proper condition. To do this, you will need a plastic tube used for a disposable tool.

1. Prepare a plastic tube, wire and gun.
2. Use wire to attach the tube to the nozzle.
3. After using the gun, the tube can be removed and a new one can be used in the future.

How to avoid gun clogging - video

Each type of mounting gun requires its own approach. The main thing here is to prevent the foam from hardening inside the device. If you clean your instrument on time, it will serve you for many years.

Answer:

Mounting gun– an irreplaceable thing in a house where it is customary to do at least part of the home improvement work with your own hands. Of course, there are cylinders from which foam is supplied directly, but knowledgeable people prefer to use a gun.

Firstly, using cylinders is unreasonably expensive, plus the quality of work done this way is much worse. Secondly, the gun allows you to make neat and reliable seams, even if a beginner gets to work.

But what to do if the polyurethane foam has dried right in the gun, and you suddenly need it urgently? It’s worth saying right away that it’s better, in principle, not to lead to such problems, because washing a gun for polyurethane foam is labor-intensive and slow.

So, you need a gun right now, but you can’t use it. What to do in this case?

The pistol hook does not budge. This indicates that the foam has frozen inside and you absolutely cannot put pressure on it in an attempt to correct the situation - you risk breaking the fragile frame.

It is necessary to carefully remove the foam with a knife from the beginning of the barrel, without scratching the piston, and then drop the solvent there, pointing the gun so that it flows downwards. Make sure that the solvent does not get on other parts!

Next, we gently try to set the hook in motion until it begins to give in, and at the same time we remove the foam that begins to come out along the rod. If everything went well, we blow out the gun by putting on a valid cylinder.

The above manipulations did not help. This means that the foam has cemented the main valve of the gun. You can try carefully pouring the solvent (literally a drop!) onto the ball in the place where the balloon is inserted. After ten minutes, you need to blow out the device with a special cleaner. If this does not help, you will have to remove the valve.

To remove the valve you need to unscrew the crown.

This must be done carefully, holding the gun exclusively under the socket, otherwise the plastic case will crack, and this is certain death of the device. Then we drip solvent into both the gun and the nest itself. After waiting 15 minutes, you need to press the ball, it is advisable to use a wooden stick, otherwise you will scratch or even split it.

After all the manipulations, we carefully assemble the gun and, in general, it is ready for use. By the way, foam may escape at the seams, this is not a problem, the foam will cover these places, and the voids inside will be treated with a special liquid.

As you can see, washing a spray foam gun is a long and nerve-wracking undertaking. All this can and should be avoided by constantly cleaning the gun after use. Then it will serve for a long time, and you will not have to worry about disassembling the mechanism.

And you can also look video Cleaning the gun from foam

Today, almost no construction or repair process can be completed without polyurethane foam. If you don’t delve into the chemical composition of the product, it is a sealant based on polyurethane foam and other additives. Used for sealing seams and joints when laying floors, installing windows, and roofs. Using the product is quite simple. The can has a plastic nozzle.

In order for the mounting mixture to “go”, the nozzle must be turned or opened, depending on the design of the can. The mounting gun is not supplied with the product; it must be purchased separately. In stores you can find metal, Teflon and plastic devices.

These cost from 200 to 1500 rubles. The most expensive is Teflon, the cheapest is plastic, and the most practical is metal.

During operation, the gun may become clogged with the remnants of the mounting mixture, which, after hardening, hardens and expands. How to clean a foam gun?

The easiest way to clean a foam gun is to purchase a special cleaner. This is a chemical solvent that is sold in aerosol cans. One is enough for 3-5 uses.

A cleaner for a “foam” gun is an economical choice for a thrifty owner. The cylinder is enough for several uses (maximum 5)

Which cleaner should I choose for washing? It all depends on what kind of sealant you use.

The cost of the solvent is from 200 to 500 rubles per unit of product.

Instructions for using the cleaner look like this:

• prepare for cleaning work: spread several layers of newspaper or old unnecessary fabric on the floor or table (the contents of the device along with the solvent will come out, making it difficult and time-consuming to clean the dirty surface);
• open the can of cleaning agent for flushing and place the unit on it;
• tilt the resulting structure “head” down;
• gently pull the trigger at intervals of 5-10 seconds to flush;
• When the equipment is clean, the solvent container should be removed, closed and stored upright.

You will learn how to perform the washing procedure using a solvent from the video:

Safety precautions: we work without harm to health

The cleaner is a household chemical product. This is a caustic solvent that, if it comes into contact with the skin, can cause burns and an allergic reaction. If you intend to clean the gun from the foam, put on a long-sleeved jacket, pants and socks. Wear protective gloves on your hands. It is advisable to work with glasses. The cleaner may “shoot” in the wrong place.

When working with foam gun cleaner, wear safety glasses. Contact with eyes may cause blindness

These are the simplest safety rules. It is necessary to remember the following standards for handling the composition:

• it cannot be heated or cooled;
• It is prohibited to flush the mounting mixture near an open flame source;
• solvent cleaner is not a toy: do not give the can to children;
• the tube must not be pierced or cut after use;
• The liquid cannot be used for other purposes - eaten, added to paints to dilute them, etc.

If the composition suddenly gets on the skin, then clean the surface of the dermis as follows: dissolve 1 tablespoon of soda in a glass of warm water and wipe the stained area.

Important: 12-16 hours have passed since the procedure, but the itching and rash do not go away, but only get worse? Contact your doctor immediately as you may be experiencing an unusual allergic reaction that could have serious consequences.

The cleaner for the “foam” gun can cause a severe allergic reaction if it comes into contact with the skin. If the itching does not go away and gets worse, consult a doctor immediately to avoid shock.

How to clean a foam gun: gasoline, acetone and mechanical means

Purchasing a specialized solvent is not in your plans or does not fit into your budget? Try traditional methods:

• acetone;
• petrol;
• scraping with a knife;
• pushing with metal wire.

Which method is smarter to use? Let's find out below.

Gasoline to the rescue!

Gasoline is often used not only for its intended purpose (as fuel for equipment or tools), but also as a solvent. There is an opinion that it can remove nail polish and also clean the gun from frozen polyurethane foam. In the latter case, there are two options:

• immerse the product in a container with gasoline;
• drip fuel with a syringe or pipette into the unit.

The second cleaning method is obviously more economical than the first. But if you didn’t choose it, then you need to keep the tool in the fuel for at least 6 hours. More is possible.

When placing cleaning fuel inside the device, hold the product with the muzzle facing down. Pre-lay “protection” on the floor or table.

When rinsing the foam gun, hold it with the muzzle down so that the contents can come out easily. Be sure to lay down a rag or paper so as not to stain the floor or table

After the device is clean, you need to wipe it with a dry cloth to remove gasoline residues and put it into storage.

"Yield" of acetone

Using acetone to clean a foam gun is technically no different than using gasoline for cleaning.

Important: you must use pure acetone (like gasoline). It is not recommended to dilute it with water or any cleaners or household chemicals.

It has been experimentally proven that acetone acts more slowly when cleaning than gasoline. So be patient.

When using, ensure that the area in which you wash the foam gun is thoroughly ventilated. The vapors of the substance remain for a long time within the room.

After cleaning the foam gun with acetone, ventilate the room for about an hour. Vapors of the substance cause dizziness and nausea

Mechanics: wire and knife

To clean the mounting gun from dried foam, use a knife and wire. The process looks like this:

• using a sharp knife, scrape off the remaining mounting mixture from the outside of the device;
• a metal or copper wire is carefully placed inside the barrel;
• The wire is moved back and forth so that the dried foam comes out.

Important: the mechanical cleaning method is effective when the barrel is not 100 percent clogged. Otherwise, the cleaning will be performed poorly and only partially.

The video will tell you more about this process:

Do I need to disassemble the tool for cleaning?

Should the foam gun be cleaned when the unit is completely disassembled? It all depends on the time:

• if less than 6 hours have passed since the product was used, then it is not necessary to disassemble the instrument for cleaning;
• Has the barrel been clogged for a long time? The unit will have to be carefully disassembled for cleaning.

There is nothing complicated about the procedure. Structurally, the device consists of 2 parts - the trigger and the barrel. There are levers inside. With a careful and attentive approach to the matter, the equipment will return to operation after completion of the washing process.

For information on how to disassemble a foam gun, see here:

To not clean at all

With a good and experienced owner, the gun practically does not clog. He knows the secrets of proper operation of the unit:

• the foam along the muzzle should flow smoothly, evenly and slowly; rushing will not lead to the desired result;
• after use, remove the foam immediately, do not wait until it hardens (you can do this by placing the unit under a strong stream of water - the mixture will come out. But be careful: it can clog the sink);
• after washing with water or solvent, wipe the device with a dry cloth;
• store the product in a dry, warm place away from moisture and direct sunlight;
• Too frequent disassembly of the pistol leads to its premature failure.

With normal use, a metal device will last 5 years, a Teflon device will last 10 years, and a plastic device will last 12-18 months.

With proper care, a quality foam gun will last about 5 years. It makes sense to treat the instrument with respect

Finally

Cleaning the foam gun can be done using a special industrial solvent, gasoline, acetone, wire, and a knife. Which method is less energy-consuming? Of course, use a special solvent. It works in a matter of minutes, and the effect is almost always perfect.

The foam gun must be washed after each use in order to be able to work with it in the future. Instrument cleaning techniques will depend on the variety:

• Metal models. Durable, reliable, can be used for 3-5 years. Easy to use and easy to clean sealant.

• Teflon models. The gun has metal surfaces that have a Teflon protective coating. This makes the tool easy to clean.

• Plastic models. They are only suitable for one-time household use, so there is no point in cleaning them after completion of work. This is a cheap and affordable tool that is sold in any hardware store.

Therefore, it will be much more profitable to buy it every time you need to work with polyurethane foam. If you frequently work with sealant, it is recommended to buy metal or Teflon models, which already require systematic cleaning.

Before cleaning the gun from polyurethane foam, you need to decide on a cleaning technique. There are several ways:

1. Mechanical cleaning. It is necessary to disassemble the tool and carefully and consistently clean all elements. To carry out the work, removers (for example, regular acetone), a knife, a rag or a sponge are used.
2. Cleaning using a chemical reagent. Tools are cleaned using chemical mixtures. Carried out upon completion of the work process and removal of the can. This method is suitable if the gun has been used for a short time.
3. Cleaning without removing the can. The traditional method, which is used when the tool is used frequently and the cans of polyurethane foam are constantly changed due to the consumption of sealant.

The method of cleaning the gun from dried foam is selected depending on the level of contamination of the tool. The simplest solution is to remove all contaminants immediately upon completion of the work. In this case, you need to remove all visible remains of the mounting foam from the tool and clean the barrel.

If the tool is heavily soiled and mechanical and chemical cleaning methods do not help, then you need to consider purchasing a new gun. Especially if the life of the old tool exceeds several years.

Standard option

When using the standard mechanical cleaning method, you will have to completely disassemble the gun:

1. You need to unscrew and remove everything you can. If the tool is expensive, then there must be instructions for it, which indicate the design features. The main thing is to take care of threaded connections during disassembly.
2. When disassembling the gun, you need to remove the sealant from all elements, wiping them dry with a rag.
3. To blow through the barrel, it is recommended to use a cleaning rod (you can make it yourself from metal wire).
4. At the next stage, a flushing compound is poured into the barrel and everything is cleaned with a cleaning rod. The process of cleaning the barrel must be repeated until the cleaning rod moves freely in the barrel. If the polyurethane foam dries in the barrel, it will not be possible to remove it only with a chemical composition.
5. It is very important to completely remove the sealant from the barrel, since during subsequent work the movement of a new portion of the consumable may be difficult.
6. After cleaning the gun, you need to lubricate the connecting parts and assemble the tool.