How to wash a gun from dried foam. How to cheaply wash a gun from foam How to clean a gun from foam, it’s dried out

As you know, polyurethane foam hardens quite quickly in the open air, which is good when applied to building construction. But if this happens inside the construction gun, then there will be no way to continue working on filling the cracks or sealing the joints.
Is it really because of this that you will have to buy another tool, the price of which starts at 500 rubles? What if the same thing happens to the second one? So it won’t take long to go broke on pistols.
But not everything is so gloomy. Firstly, there is a universal foam cleaner in cans, which costs about 300 rubles. Its contents may be enough for two or three cleanings, that is, each such procedure will cost you 100 rubles.
Is it possible to do without this expensive product if there is a need to clean construction gun from the foam that has dried inside it? Yes, such a possibility exists. You can make a very simple device yourself, which will cost you a total of 5 rubles and can be used as many times as needed.

Working on a gun flushing device

To make it, you will need an old polyurethane foam cylinder, or rather, its top part, which can be easily and accurately cut using a carpenter's knife.

We clean it of old foam and remove the valve using the following simple manipulations.

We insert the rod into the hole and knock it with a hammer until it rests against the valve.

Then with reverse side, the yielding valve is torn off using pliers. Moreover, the short side tube that opened after removing the valve should remain in place.

Next, we glue in a 20-milliliter medical syringe, since it is the one that fits tightly into the valve hole. A syringe with a volume smaller than the specified one will dangle, and a larger one will not go in.

After these manipulations using glue gun fill the junction of the syringe and the valve with epoxy resin or some other suitable product. It is necessary to give some time for the glue to harden, after which the device is completely ready to work on washing the construction gun from the foam that has dried in it.

In principle, you can limit yourself to just sealing the tip of the syringe in the hole where it is inserted. But it will be safer to fill the joint completely with glue, since the device will have to be screwed in and out, applying some effort. In addition, when flushing, quite high pressures arise in it.

The process of cleaning a gun from dried foam

Next, you need to unscrew the gun with the remaining and hardened mounting foam from the can as quickly as possible, since the valve often does not work. Pour about one syringe of solvent into the can to clean the valve.
Then we install our device on the construction gun and screw it in until we hear a hissing sound, which indicates that the device is screwed in completely.

Fill the syringe with solvent “646” using another syringe, insert the plunger and begin to rinse the gun. To do this, pressing the piston, we press the trigger of the gun. The solvent supplied in portions will gradually help remove hardened foam from the gun channels, first liquefying it. To completely clean the instrument, two refills of the syringe are enough.
Usually, after using our device, in order for it to be ready for use next time, it must be rinsed and finally filled with a full syringe of water and left until the next use.

Final remarks

Still, the syringe in the lid must be filled with the same epoxy resin. Here, retention and tightness will be ensured by a large volume of glue. Otherwise, nothing will work: it’s practically impossible to glue plastic to plastic using anything.
The experience of many craftsmen shows that if a can of polyurethane foam is screwed on correctly, then it does not harden during storage for months. Only at the end of the tube can a film form, which cannot be removed during storage. It is this that prevents air from entering the instrument and protects the foam in the gun from hardening.

The spray foam gun has to be cleaned of two types of contaminants. Immediately after construction work, cleaning is carried out to remove foam that has not yet hardened.

It will be effective to use paint solvents, acetone or gasoline, which perfectly wash all parts and passages in the adapter, preparing it for the next job...

The spray foam gun has to be cleaned of two types of contaminants. Immediately after construction work, cleaning is carried out to remove foam that has not yet hardened. It will be effective to use paint solvents, acetone or gasoline, which perfectly wash all parts and passages in the adapter, preparing it for the next job. If contaminants from hardened polyurethane foam cannot be removed with a solvent, you can try mechanical cleaning with a knife and wire. In extreme cases, you may need to disassemble the gun and clean each part individually using available means.

The other side of the coin when using polyurethane foam is the dirt it leaves behind. The gun that comes into direct contact with it suffers the most. To expend less effort, cleaning should be carried out every time after finishing work. If this is not done, the material will dry out very firmly. Anyway, the main objective- to figure out,most efficiently and quickly.

Acetone, like any other solvent, is finecopes with construction foam, which has just begun to dry out.

Acetone will clear foam from the gun

In this state, she is extremely susceptible to active chemical exposure liquid solvent.

In addition to acetone, you can use paint solvents white spirit, xylene, solvent, 646, 647, 649, 650 and P-4. Galosh gasoline, kerosene and turpentine, which have similar properties, are also suitable. Water, including hot water, does not help in cleaning at all.

Attention! All of the above liquids have a strong, specific odor and are highly flammable. Therefore, you need to follow safety precautions when using them.

It is best to use solvents to regularly clean the gun from foam residues. Cleaning it with solvent after each use can save a lot of time at home later on.

Immediately after the work is completed, you must carefully disconnect the cylinder.

The empty cylinder must be removed

Using a clean piece of cloth, fresh pieces of foam that have not yet hardened are removed.

Another piece of rag is moistened with solvent, it is necessary to wipe the adapter (if available), the cylinder mounting collar and immediately wipe the tip of the gun.

The foam also needs to be wiped off around the trigger. If it has time to freeze there, it may make it difficult to use the gun in the future.

Also causing problems is the drying of the foam in the “barrel” of the gun - a narrow channel through which material under pressure from the cylinder is supplied to the required location.

To wash it, you need to carefully pour the solvent into the hole located in the place where the cylinder is attached.

Cleaning the gun

Possessing high chemical activity and increased fluidity, the solvent will very quickly make its way through the uncured foam, exiting along with it through the tip of the gun. Efficiency this method depends on the speed of use of the solvent - the more the foam dries, the more difficult it will be to clean it.

If the foam still has time to cool, then the solvent can be applied directly into the channel from the tip side. To do this, you can use a regular syringe with a thin needle. Most likely, you will be able to use the syringe only once and very quickly, because the solvent is very aggressive towards the soft plastic from which it is made. With a quick movement, you need to draw a full syringe of liquid, insert the needle into the canal the entire length and release it inside. This will greatly facilitate cleaning the expensive gun, allowing you to do it quickly and without much expense.

Aggressive solvents can also be used toremoving foam from metal doors And tile sealant.

Pharmaceutical dimexide has properties similar to solvents.

Pharmaceutical solvent

It has a destructive effect on foam, but is absolutely safe for the skin of the hands and the fabric with which it is applied to the gun. The washing method is similar to that described above. If necessary, dimexide can be usedremove foam from work clothes And superglue hands.

Cleaning the gun using a special cylinder

Similar to a foam cylinder, you can connect a special cylinder to the smeared gun, for example, Penosil Cleaner, which is filled with a cleaner under high pressure. This cylinder is designed for regular maintenance of a pistol that has just been used. It effectively flushes the valve, trigger and barrel bore with solvents that corrode and squeeze out the foam that has not yet dried.

Mechanical method cleaning is used in the second case - when regular maintenance of the pistol was not carried out, and after several uses the foam near the connecting thread, trigger and in the channel hardened and literally turned into stone.

Removing foam that has turned to stone

The density with which it is filled under pressure from a cylinder, coupled with its durable physical properties makes the material in this case practically invulnerable to any solvents. The liquid poured inside the gun is not even able to make its way through the channel, which makes this cleaning method impossible. To do this, you need to use a mechanical method.

Note! The mechanical method is applicable when cleaning glass from old paint , and also whenremoval silicone sealant with cast iron bath .

Mechanical cleaning involves physically removing foam or sealant from the gun.

Use a knife to remove remaining foam

You need to arm yourself with a sharp shoe or stationery knife and a very thin wire with a pointed end. Using a knife, hardened pieces are cut off and access to the hole from which the foam was supplied is cleared as much as possible.

Then the wire comes into play - the harder the metal from which it is made, the better. With careful but confident movements, the wire is screwed into the bore. The metal makes its way towards the cylinder mount. The deeper the wire goes, the easier it will be to clean the gun later with a solvent.

Advice! It is not advisable to clean a pistol barrel using a Karcher - too much pressure can damage fragile parts.

Cleaning the cylinder and valve mount

Using the same knife, you can largely remove dried foam from the surface of the fastening and thread, thereby freeing up space for adding solvent. It is necessary to carefully remove all remaining sealant from the valve and threads, then moisten them generously in liquid.

Note! Together with cleaning the barrel bore, you can restore the gun, even if the foam has accumulated and dried very strongly.

As a last resort, when the methods described above do not help, you must resort to disassembly toclean the parts of the spray foam gun individually.

Disassembling the foam gun

Using pliers or an adjustable wrench, you need to unscrew the mechanism that is responsible for supplying material from the cylinder - it is located in the recess for its fastening.

After this, the trigger mechanism is disconnected and the gun barrel is pulled out, if necessary, all the corresponding nuts and bolts are unscrewed. After disassembly, each part can be individually treated with acetone, after removing any large remaining foam with a knife. The Kraftul and Stayer models are assembled in reverse order.

Below is a video that showshow to clean a dirty nail gunfrom dried foam.

Larisa, .

How to clean a gun from polyurethane foam

Professionals and home craftsmen use many tools during repairs, including a spray foam gun. Using this device, the sealant is applied quickly, accurately and accurately. At the same time, the device is very capricious and requires careful handling, as well as strict adherence to the rules and instructions recommended by the manufacturer.

Which gun can be cleaned of foam?

Based on the method of release from the cylinder, polyurethane foam is divided into household and professional. The first is usually produced in containers with a special adapter - with its help the sealant is sprayed under pressure. In this case, the sprayer is not cleaned. The second can be purchased in cans that attach to special pistol. Such devices can be cleaned and disassembled.

It is believed that professional pistols are overkill when performing household work, however, there is also an opposite opinion, based on the undeniable advantages and merits of such tools. Inexpensive devices for releasing polyurethane foam are designed to perform a small amount of work and are not recommended for frequent use, being, by and large, disposable. According to the accompanying instructions, they do not need to be cleaned. On the other hand, no one bothers you to put in order a practically new (even the cheapest) tool and thereby save a certain amount of money.

Such a disposable gun can also be cleaned of foam, saving on the purchase of a new tool.

If you want the gun to last a long time and without breakdowns, you will have to spend quite a bit a large sum and purchase a dismountable unit. Best models have exclusively metal parts and components and include additional options, such as Teflon coating. Such a device can be cleaned without any problems or, if necessary, disassembled.

To be fair, it is worth noting that highly advertised and more expensive Teflon guns, as well as metal or plastic models, tend to become dirty as a result of exposure to foam.

How can you remove polyurethane foam?

It is recommended to wash the gun using special chemical cleaning compounds, which are placed under pressure in cylinders. Cleaning agents are usually used immediately after work is completed, since most chemicals of this type are effective in removing only fresh foam. There is a huge number of specialized washing-cleaners on the market, among them the most popular (according to Yandex Market) are the following brands.

Table: cleaners on the domestic market

By chemical properties and content, all mentioned compositions actually have similar characteristics. When purchasing a remover, you should only carefully study the instructions included with the product.

Photo gallery: gun cleaning products

Atoll is suitable for cleaning all types of mounting guns
Dali- effective remedy cleaning contaminants when working with polyurethane foams Germez is used during construction, repair and installation work
Hauser - highly effective remover of uncured polyurethane foam
Professional polyurethane foam cleaner KraftFlex Premium
Krass Easy Cleaner - removes marks and dirt from the gun, cleans the body and barrel
Profflex - cleaning product in aerosol packaging
Liquid in an aerosol can for cleaning Profil mounting guns
Designed for removing uncured foam from various surfaces
Zubr Expert - domestic cleaner for mounting gun

You should not try to wash fresh sealant with water, as this liquid is involved in the polymerization of the material. Use only formulations recommended by specialists.

If the gun becomes dirty after repair or construction, all you need is a cleaning bottle and a rag. Otherwise (for example, when the tool is jammed), you must first determine the reason why the unit stopped functioning. Often, a pistol failure is caused by a malfunction of the device, and sometimes by problems with the cylinder. The latter usually happens when working outside in the cold season, or as a result of improper storage of the container.

The can is checked by replacing it with a known good one. If you are sure that the whole problem is due to foam that has clogged the tool, you need to try to clean the gun by attaching a remover.

Required tools and materials

To wash and disassemble the device if it is contaminated with foam, you will need:

• foam cleaner,
• solvent with acetone,
• wooden stick,
• clean dry cloth,
• pliers,
• screwdriver,

Among necessary tools and materials for cleaning the gun - sushi sticks

Safety precautions

Before you start cleaning the foam application tool, it’s worth brushing up on the safety rules:

• The cleaner container contains highly toxic components that can harm a person, causing burns and causing poisoning or allergies.
• The container is under high pressure, you should always remember this.
• The cylinder must be kept away from heat sources. Do not expose it to direct sunlight.
• Do not smoke in the immediate vicinity of cylinders or near the place where they are stored. Remember, the substance in the container is explosive.
• During work, you should use protective rubber gloves and a mask covering your nose and mouth.
• It is necessary to direct the stream from the cylinder strictly away from yourself. Be careful not to get the chemical on your skin.
• If the cleaner gets into your eyes, mouth or respiratory tract, treat the affected areas with running water and consult a doctor immediately.
• Never disassemble or burn an empty container.

How to clean a gun from polyurethane foam

First, wipe the body of the gun with a rag soaked in solvent. Do not use a knife or other sharp objects for cleaning to avoid damaging the surface.

How to clean dried sealant

Hardened foam can be removed with any acetone-based solvent or white spirit. Dirt with dried polyurethane foam is the most difficult to remove, so before you start sealing anything, you should stock up on one of these products in addition to the standard cleaner.

The vast majority of gun washes are effective in removing only fresh caulk. After three or four hours, the foam completely hardens and it becomes possible to remove it only with the use of powerful solvents and mechanical cleaning (which is extremely undesirable).

What to do in advanced cases

In serious cases, the instrument will have to be disassembled and repaired, following the instructions described above. Craftsmen claim, however, that it is possible to effectively remove old mounting foam from the surface of the gun using a preparation such as dimexide. However, the video below shows that the use of this remedy does not bring the desired result.

Video: dimexide versus polyurethane foam

How to avoid gun clogging

• The pistol is stored with the valve closed.
• If the device is not used for more than a week, the foam container must be turned out.
• The device should always be cleaned by washing after use.
• If you are installing a new container of polyurethane foam, you should first clean the nozzle.
• It is not recommended to shake, much less throw, the gun.
• Do not pull the trigger of the device without a cylinder.

Reviews

Polyurethane foam is considered one of the most difficult compounds to remove. It is especially difficult to clean it from the gun for this sealant. Foam-like products are synthetic materials, and therefore their presence on any surface can become a real problem. A container of polyurethane foam with a nozzle is completely ready for use

The design of all pistols is almost the same, but there are collapsible and solid models.

How to clean the nozzle on a cylinder

To remove residual foam, release the fitting on the cylinder itself (the place at the top of the cylinder where the nozzle is inserted) from the foam column.

After this, lightly press on the fitting: if you hear the hiss of escaping air, the cylinder is suitable for further use - the foam in it is under pressure.

Now we clean the nozzle itself:

To release the tube, lightly knead it by squeezing it with your fingers where the foam remains. The remaining air bubbles in the foam will come out and the column will decrease in volume.

If a professional gun is clogged: how to remove foam at home

It is better to clean the gun after each use. For this, there are special aerosol products produced by manufacturers of polyurethane foam. When buying foam, it makes sense to immediately buy a cleaner. This will always keep the tool in working condition. It is recommended to use it in accordance with the instructions.

But even without cleaning the gun every time after use, you can avoid the foam from drying out if you leave the container with it in the gun and screw the regulator all the way. Air will not get inside and the foam will remain liquid. In this form, the instrument will remain operational for up to six months.

If it does not move when you pull the trigger, the gun is clogged. You should not try to press the trigger in the hope that with force you will “break through” the blockage. This will not happen, but you will break the tool.

How to properly clean a gun - video

Is it possible to wash old foam that has long hardened

Mechanical cleaning of a pistol is quite effective, but if foam has long frozen inside the barrel, then it is unlikely to be completely removed. As a result, the next time you use the foam, the pressure will decrease, as it will be retained by the remaining particles of the substance. The disadvantage of this method is that it is labor intensive and difficult to clean. Only proper care for the instrument after use, i.e. regular and timely washing.

How to wash tools after work - video

Do not try to save money by pumping acetone or other solvent into a used cleaner bottle. Is it dangerous! It is strictly forbidden to open a cylinder that is under pressure. Acetone is a caustic and toxic liquid that requires careful handling.

The tool can be saved even if it is severely clogged, but you should not wait until the foam hardens. Long-dried material is difficult to clean. If you wash the foam gun promptly after use, you won’t have to resort to labor-intensive cleaning methods.

A spray foam gun is a convenient device for construction work. The principle of its operation is to distribute a dosed amount of polyurethane foam.

Using this tool, various construction work is carried out to fill voids, holes and seams in walls, window frames, and doorways. Unlike conventional mounting cylinders, when using a gun, you get an even and high-quality seam without excessive use of sealant.

Installation gun device

The mounting device has a long metal rod for convenient distribution of foam along the seam. There is a ball valve inside that closes the outlet of the sealant. An adjusting screw is used to distribute the foam. It is advisable to choose pistol models made of reliable and durable metal.

When to clean the mounting gun

The installation tool is washed with a special strong solvent liquid every time after use so that it serves for a long time and properly. Moreover, polyurethane sealant is cleaned not only from the device itself, but also from hands, clothing and work surfaces. Aerosol cans with flushing liquid are sold by the same manufacturers that produce polyurethane foam.

Technical data for flushing from polyurethane foam:

• The main component is dimethyl ketone;
• The contents of the aerosol can are under pressure. Handle with care: do not disassemble, store out of reach of children;
• Does not tolerate direct sunlight;
• Do not allow the cylinder to overheat above 50 ° C. The recommended air temperature when working with the cylinder is +5 – +35 ° C;
• After use, under no circumstances should the container be burned or opened.

Instructions: how to use polyurethane foam cleaner

• Open the protective cap on the cleaner;
• Remove the used polyurethane foam container from the mounting gun gearbox;
• Install a flushing bottle on the gearbox;
• Pass the flushing liquid through the tool rod by pressing the adjusting trigger several times to supply the sealant;
• Remove the cleaner bottle;
• Check that all foam has been removed inside the instrument.

Flushing bottle with spray adapter

To clean work surfaces from dried polyurethane foam, tightly put on the special sprayer supplied with the washing aerosol and direct it to the contaminated area.

Do not bring your working tool to such a state that the sealant dries right in the gun, since washing it is a rather labor-intensive and lengthy process. If your adjusting trigger suddenly stops working, the tool may be dirty and it's time to clean it.

If this happens, remove the mounting bottle with polyurethane foam and carefully cut off the excess foam from the rod. Then lower the gun down and drip flushing into the gearbox. Make sure that the liquid does not spill or get on other parts of the installation tool. Gently press the trigger and squeeze out the dried sealant.

If this does not help, then carefully disassemble the gun and clean the main valve with solvent, dripping it onto it at the junction with the cylinder. If the mounting device is still clogged with foam, remove the valve and flush that part with solvent. Cleaning completed. Afterwards, carefully assemble the tool and it is ready for use.

Safety precautions when working with flushing:

• The composition is fire hazardous as it contains flammable substances, therefore, it must be kept away from open flames, electrical appliances, heated surfaces and spark-producing equipment. Smoking is prohibited in the premises where work is being carried out;
• Minimally toxic. In case of contact with the eyes or inside, you should immediately consult a doctor, because the components of the cleaning liquid irritate the skin, respiratory tract, eyes and can cause allergies. If inhaled for a long time, it is hazardous to health. Before use, it is advisable to cover your eyes with safety glasses and wear gloves;

• After cleaning the skin of your hands from foam using a cleaner, wash your hands thoroughly under running water and soap;
• Work carefully in clothing made from artificial fabrics to avoid chemical reaction synthetic fibers with washing;
• Spray in a ventilated area. If ventilation is not working satisfactorily, use respiratory protection.

Gun installation

The mounting gun will last its entire intended life if you follow these instructions. simple rules and regularly use flushing liquid to remove polyurethane foam residues. This is why it will be useful

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.

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 It will be a little more complicated and take longer.

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;
• in case of damage to open areas of the body, treat them with a soda solution (1 teaspoon of soda per glass of water 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 cotton fabric. 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.

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.

In the process of construction and repair work, both professional and home craftsmen use a foam gun. It allows you to efficiently and accurately blow out seams on a wide variety of objects. This tool can significantly save the owner’s money, since purchasing a can with a special mounting tube will cost more.

To last a long time, it requires proper care. Dried material on such equipment can prevent the blow-in from being applied correctly into joints and seams. Therefore, every master, even before starting work, should know how to clean a foam gun.

There are several approaches to solving this problem. Expert advice will tell you which one to choose in each specific case. By taking a responsible approach to maintaining the cleanliness of your instrument, you can significantly extend its service life.

Need for cleaning

A good spray foam gun is quite expensive. It pays for itself during use due to the ability to use it several times. How long you can use this tool in your work depends on the quality of its maintenance.

Foam remains in the gun after processing. This is not a big deal if you immediately remove it from the muzzle and other pieces of equipment. But sometimes, even with a short delay, the substance freezes. It becomes more difficult to remove.

Inexperienced craftsmen may wonder whether it is necessary to clean the foam gun. Of course, if it is intended to be used for repairs in the future, this process cannot be avoided. Otherwise, purchasing the presented tool simply does not make sense.

For one-time use, it is better to purchase a bottle with a special applicator. Although even home craftsmen, as experience suggests, use a foam gun more than once. Therefore, it is more profitable to carry out cleaning regularly.

Professional installers know how important it is to keep your foam gun clean. They give advice to novice craftsmen who use this tool for repairs. It is very important to remove traces of dirt immediately. This will simplify the maintenance that the foam gun needs so much. How to clean it depends on the degree of contamination, as well as the time the material remains on the instrument. The faster you wipe off the foam, the less effort you will need to spend on it.

Various chemicals are used for cleaning. Experts advise purchasing them immediately together with polyurethane foam from the same manufacturer. Special means show better results than universal varieties.

Each manufacturer produces polyurethane foam with different properties and chemical composition. The cleaner from the same series takes into account all the features of this material and acts on it in a targeted manner.

Main characteristics of the purifier

All chemical solvents of polyurethane foam have different compositions. But they are characterized by almost identical properties. These are substances designed to remove contaminants from both instruments and other surfaces and the skin of the hands.

When getting acquainted with the technology of how to clean a spray foam gun, it is necessary to consider the principle of the effects of the products. These are substances of moderate toxicity. They are not dangerous to humans, but if they come into contact with the face, the mucous membranes can cause irritation. Therefore, if the chemical comes into contact with your skin, you must wash it off. big amount water. In case of accidental contact with the eyes or inside the body, you should immediately consult a doctor.

The substance in the cylinder is under pressure. It has high level flammability. Therefore, do not spray it near an open fire or overheat it. Compliance with these elementary rules will help you avoid troubles during the work process.

Timely cleaning

When studying the question of how to clean the mounting gun after foam, you should consider this procedure in detail. If the product has not yet dried, the process is quite simple.

The cylinder, which was used by the master and no longer contains foam, is unscrewed from its socket. A container with solvent is installed in its place. Before doing this, you must remove the protective cap from it.

The tool lever is then pressed several times. Flushing is continued until pieces of mounting material appear in the stream. After this, the product is removed from the equipment. If there is still some amount of substance left in the cylinder, you can screw the protective cap back on and store the cleaner for some more time. If repairs are not planned in the future, it is better to dispose of the chemical.

If the foam has dried out

Sometimes it happens that flushing was not carried out in a timely manner. In this case, the polyurethane foam hardens right inside the gun. In this case, the trigger cannot be moved. How to clean the gun in this case? There are a number of recommendations.

Under no circumstances should you press the trigger. This is guaranteed to lead to breakdown of expensive equipment. Instead, you need to clean off the dried foam at the base of the trunk. This should be done carefully so as not to scratch the metal.

In this case, the cleaning work is considered completed. But if it was not possible to revive the instrument after carrying out the above steps, you will have to resort to another method.

Cleaning the Main Valve

If after the above manipulations the trigger still does not press, it means that foam has got on the main valve. You will need to spend money on washing it more strength and time.

Experts will advise how to clean the mounting gun in this case. There is a small ball on the upper assembly of the tool, where the cylinder is screwed. You need to apply a few drops of solvent to it. Next you need to wait 10-15 minutes.

The chemical rinsing cylinder is screwed onto the valve and the trigger is pulled. The remaining dissolved foam should come out of the barrel of the mounting gun. After this, you can continue to work on applying foam to the seams.

But sometimes more advanced blockages occur. In this case, the work becomes much more complicated.

Full flush

If the inside of the instrument is frozen a large number of foam, you will need to disassemble it into its component parts. This must be done carefully. Delving into the topic of how to clean a foam gun, you need to understand the design features of the presented device.

First you need to unscrew the crown of the valve to which the cylinder is attached. The solvent is introduced inside the instrument. Moreover, it is also necessary to process the socket of the installation unit.

To make it more convenient to unwind the equipment, you should hold it below the place where the cylinder is attached. The solvent remains inside the system for about 25 minutes. Next, you need to press the main valve ball. Clumps of dissolved foam come out.

The tool is assembled in reverse order.

The foam has completely frozen

Some craftsmen have a question about how to clean the foam gun if it has completely hardened. In this state, the material already has all its inherent qualities. In this case, solvents or other chemical substances won't help. You will have to act using brute force.

All parts that can be dismantled are removed from the gun. It is necessary to prepare a wire of appropriate thickness and acetone. After pouring a few drops of solvent inside and waiting for some time, small pieces of foam are pulled out with a wire.

The action is performed until the wire appears on the other side of the barrel. The gun is then reassembled and washed with a chemical.

Experienced installers say that equipment cannot be brought to this state. Even after cleaning, the foam will flow much harder.

If the material being mounted has not yet hardened, the whole procedure will go faster. The answer to the question of how to clean a foam gun is simple in this case. You need to use a special tool.

Experts advise keeping a can of flushing with you while performing installation work. This will avoid unpleasant consequences and unexpected costs when the material hardens inside the tool.