Foam cleaner: choice and application

Anyone who has ever worked with polyurethane foam sealant, in everyday life referred to as assembly foam, knows how difficult it is to get rid of dried material on hands, clothes and different types of surfaces. Finding a cleaner is not difficult, but it may not always be an effective tool. First, find out why the foam is so hard to clean.

Foam, having appeared on the construction market not so long ago, has managed to become one of the most popular and frequently used building materials. Due to its unique property to fill any spaces, voids, gaps and cracks, foam has become extremely popular among builders. Foam-treated areas also acquire thermal insulation.

When applying the foam, it is in a liquid state, after which it begins to expand (the level of expansion of the foam depends on its type), filling the necessary space. After some time, the foam hardens, forming a dense coating that is resistant to repeated mechanical or other effects. The only drawback of this building material is the difficulty in removing it from clothing and leather. Even the construction pistol used in the application after some time is clogged with foam residues and can no longer be used. To remove the foam, you must use specialized cleaners.. Cleaners are presented on the building shelves in a wide range. Despite this, there are no significant differences in them.

The cleaner according to GOST is a colorless transparent mixture of organic solvents with the addition of propellant, in other words, a propellant. Let's apply to highly effective removal of the remains from polyurethane polyurethane foam, for washing and clearing the construction gun, for washing of foam from a surface of skin and clothes. Consistency cleaners are offered in two formats. The first is homogeneous, without lumps and all sorts of impurities, produced in the format of an aerosol spray. This format cleaner is extremely convenient for quickly getting rid of dirt, while not damaging the surface. The second option is a cleaner in the format of an ordinary liquid. In it, a rag is impregnated and the surface is treated.

Technical characteristics of modern solvents are at a high level. Mostly they are produced in cans of 500 ml.

Today, manufacturers produce two types of cleaners:

• a solution that eats away fresh foam that has not yet had time to harden;
• solution that removes cured foam.

It should be noted that the use of the cleaner will not spoil the surface of ceramics or plastics. While using acetone, you risk not only spoiling the aesthetic appearance of the surfaces, but also completely dissolve some of them. The use of acetone is permissible in the case of point removal and in the processing of a small contaminated area. In other circumstances, it is better to resort to specialized cleaners.

To the positive sides of the specialized cleaner include some of their properties.

• Chemical compounds and reagents are the main elements in the composition of the cleaner. They contribute to the softening of the polyurethane foam sealant. After application, it is simply removed without harming the appearance of the surface.
• Special attention deserves the cleaner for the construction gun. The fact is that for some time the gun clogged with remnants of foam and is no longer able to perform its functions. Cleaner and proper care will help to increase the service life and correct application of the sealant.
• At the same time, the construction pistol can be used in sealant removal works; the pistol will allow you to precisely direct the cleaning agent to the required place.

Trademark Bau master produces a cleaner in a five-milliliter bottle. It is effective for cleansing an uncured sealant from any kind of surface, fabrics and leather. Two types of cleaner from this brand are produced: Ultima and Hobby. Ultima is used to clean a construction gun and dispose of freshly applied foam. Hobby is suitable for removing stains from skin and tissues.

Many manufacturers produce foam assembly complete with a solvent. With this option, you may encounter in the products of the manufacturer Tytan. The company manufactures a sealant and solvent to work with such a capricious material as plastic. This guarantees to be certified one hundred percent in the quality characteristics of the composition.

It is worth mentioning such a brand as Dail. The cleaners of this brand are distinguished by their universal use and high-quality composition. In addition, the low cost makes it one of the most sought after cleaners. The solvent brand "Cosmofen" perfectly copes with stains of plastic and glass surfaces. And cleaning products from Macroflex used to soften hardened sealant.

Among the manufacturers of quality products, you can also highlight Dali and TechnoNIKOL.

Solvent removal of polyurethane foam sealant is carried out differently depending on the contaminated surface, the duration of the foam and its volume. We single out the frequently encountered circumstances of sealant removal.

• If the assembly foam contaminated the finished surface, a simple stationery knife should be used to remove it. Try not to smudge the foam on the surface, thereby increasing the stain. Treat the remaining area with a cloth or scrap of paper with a pre-saturated solvent.
• If you find a sealant after some time, and he managed to harden, do not wait for it to completely dry. Start the removal at the same time. Most likely, the consistency of the foam will be still viscous. Try using a knife or trowel. At full hardening of sealant it is recommended to use the cleaner intended for this situation.
• To remove spray foam from expensive and decorative surfaces will require your accuracy and attentiveness. The application of solvents on such surfaces is prohibited, it will instantly spoil their appearance. It is recommended to apply the cleaner on a soft cloth and clean the surface with light circular motions. Make sure that there are no divorces.
• When installing a plastic window, excess sealant fall on the window frame. Get rid of them will help specialized cloth, which is already saturated with solvent.

• If during the repair work the assembly foam hit the wooden surface, it will not be difficult to get rid of it. Often, wood products are treated with paints and varnishes; therefore, the removal of dirt is carried out using fine-grained sandpaper.If a large area of ​​the product is contaminated, use a grinder.
• When removing splashes of foam from linoleum, it is recommended to wait a short amount of time. When the assembly will become viscous and plastic, you can proceed to its removal, while the linoleum will not be damaged.

When working with polyurethane foam sealant must be observed Some rules that will allow you to avoid difficulties in case of contact with unwanted surfaces:

• before work it is recommended to cover the entire floor surface and walls with a film, paper or cardboard;
• The remaining foam remains to be removed immediately, because after a short period of time, the foam will harden, and this will already be problematic.

Do a little testing beforehand. To do this, sprinkle a little solvent on a small contaminated area. Thus, you can understand how much volume is needed to remove the foam, and whether you have chosen the right tool. Often, an improperly selected solvent can ruin the surface. For example, the solvent tends to leave behind unpleasant stains, the tarnishing of the color shade of the product.

So, to protect yourself from the unpleasant consequences of the use of polyurethane foam sealant, follow a number of simple recommendations.

• It is practical to wear separate work clothes at the time of repair work. Protect the surface of the hands by wearing gloves of compacted fabric or rubber.
• Determine in advance the probable perimeter of the impact of the foam. Cover the surface with unwanted waste paper, cardboard or glue with paper tape.
• If fresh traces of polyurethane foam appear, do not smear its composition over the surface. Use a knife or spatula. Slowly cut the top layers of the foam. For the lower layers, use the cleaner.

• Do not attempt to wash off sealant with water. It participates in a catalyst to accelerate the hardening of the sealant.
• In case of contact with clothing, do not wash it. Soap solutions or laundry detergents will not help in this situation. The same applies to using a knife or scraper. In this situation it is necessary to spray the cleaner on the contaminated area of ​​fabric. Set aside for thirty minutes, without any mechanical effects, as the fabric base may be torn or damaged. After softening the foam, remove it using a dry cloth. It is recommended to repeat the procedure if the desired result is not received.
• If the cleaner comes into contact with the skin, rinse off the remnants of foam under a strong jet of water or wipe the skin with heated vegetable oil. After thoroughly rinse the contaminated area with soapy water, and treat it with baby cream. If the cleaner gets into your eyes, rinse them thoroughly and consult a doctor.
• If the sealant gets on the hair in most cases, it is not possible to remove the contamination. In this case, have to cut off the contaminated areas of hair.
• It is strictly forbidden to use or store containers with a cleaner under the influence of ultraviolet rays or at very high temperatures.

About what and how to remove the frozen foam, see the next video.