Is the use of polyurethane foam without a gun justified, or is it still worth buying. How to use mounting foam with a straw Working with professional mounting foam

In domestic conditions, the need for special tools does not always arise. If you suddenly need to repair the seal or insulation in a small area, and there is no foam gun at hand, you can try to do without it. This will help you avoid unnecessary expenses. However, you should first find out how mounting foam behaves without a gun and how to use it correctly.

There are two classes of mounting foam:

• domestic;
• professional.

In terms of technical characteristics, both types of materials are similar, however, differences still exist. First of all, it should be noted the volume of the cylinders. So, household foam is usually offered in small quantities (up to 800 ml). The kit includes a small piece of tubing with a small cross section. The pressure level in the tank is relatively low. This allows you to reduce material consumption in cases where you plan to use a foam bottle without a gun.

Professional material can be bought in volumes from 1.5 liters, in addition, it is used for large-scale tasks: sealing the seams of window and door openings, sealing large gaps. The foam is contained under high pressure, so it is very difficult to apply it correctly without a gun. There is one more nuance. So, the outlet of a professional cylinder is equipped with a fastener: a threaded cap (bayonet). At this point, the gun is installed.

Subtleties of application

First you need to determine what type of material to use: household, professional foam. If you plan to process a large area, you need to take into account the volume of the cylinder. Household-grade products from some manufacturers are sometimes of poorer quality than their professional counterparts. For this reason, for more serious tasks, it is better to choose the latter option. Possible ways to apply foam without a gun:

• Professional grade material is used, for which the tube is used. You should be prepared for the fact that under high pressure the foam will come out in excess.
• Use household material, fixing a tube on the valve, which is equipped with a balloon.
• Professional foam is used by attaching two tubes of different sections: first a larger one, then a smaller diameter tube is inserted into it and well fixed. This will reduce material consumption.

Preparation for work

The site to be processed must be put in order. Having figured out how to work with mounting foam without a gun, perform simple manipulations:

1. Remove any dirt: dust, dirt. If the gap is quite large, it is pre-filled with foam, which will provide improved thermal insulation qualities in this area and will reduce foam consumption. Using a material such as foam, it is recommended to seal gaps no more than 8 cm in width.
2. The site is moistened with water, for which it is better to use a spray gun, then the surface will be moistened evenly.
3. Control the environmental conditions. Work is best done at an air temperature of +5 to +20 degrees. The maximum upper limit is +30 degrees. But in cold conditions, another type of mounting foam is used - frost-resistant.

The procedure must be carried out in protective equipment. Gloves and goggles are usually sufficient.

Tip: If the material contains toluene, you should also wear a respirator.

Instructions for applying foam without a gun

The principle of work is similar to that when using a special tool. If mounting foam will be used without a gun, how to properly use the tube that comes with the kit? Step-by-step instruction:

It takes an average of 8 hours to fully cure the foam. Do not worry if, after this period of time, swelling appears on the treated area. They can be cut with a clerical or ordinary sharp knife.

Tip: After drying and removing excess foam, be sure to cover it with putty or other material, otherwise the composition will gradually collapse under the influence of sunlight.

Disadvantages of the foam application process without a gun

When deciding which method to choose, you need to consider both positive and negative points in each of the cases. Of course, the use of a specialized tool greatly simplifies the task. But the process of sealing with a tube without a gun has its drawbacks:

• Large consumption of material. It is necessary to control the intensity and duration of pressing the valve. And still, significant pressure contributes to the appearance of an excess amount of foam. As a result, 2-3 times more material is required per area, while professional foam is consumed less intensively. This factor determines the financial costs - they increase.
• If you plan to use professional foam, you need to remember that it will not always be possible to install a tube. Simply the balloon will not give out foam.
• Waste of time. It will take more time to hold the flexible tube in the correct position, and with it the cylinder valve. In addition, you need to remember the need to constantly monitor the amount of foam that appears at the exit. If the use of a gun makes it possible to complete the sealing in 10-15 seconds, self-processing without a specialized tool will take about 15 minutes.

There is one more nuance. So, disposable mounting foam should be purchased in the right amount, which will avoid unnecessary expenses, otherwise the rest of the material will simply be thrown away. For this reason, it is sometimes easier to buy a small volume can and fill the gaps with foam using the tube that comes with the kit.

Mounting foam is a difficult material. A frequent question of people who want to carry out construction work on their own is whether it is possible to use mounting foam if there is no gun. To do this, you need to know its properties and basic rules of application.

In contact with

Mounting foam with a tube

First you need to determine which type will be used for repairs. In hardware stores you can see two types of foam:

• household;
• professional.

In hardware stores you can see two types of foam.

How to choose the right composition? For processing a large area, the volume of the balloon should be taken into account. The quality of household composition is worse compared to professional brands. In this regard, for serious repairs, foam for professionals is required.

Here are the basic settings for how to use mounting foam with a tube:

• Need first shake the balloon for 30 seconds, ensuring the mixing of the material inside it until homogeneous and thereby increasing the output intensity.
• The cap is removed, a PVC tube is fixed on the valve. It is included in the kit if it is a household type sealant. For a professional cylinder, the tube will need to be purchased separately.
• The free end is brought to the place where the sealant needs to be applied. The gap is filled by 30-50%. Compound expands after application as it dries. Partial filling reduces consumption. With proper application, the gap will eventually fill 100%.
• If the foam dries and it becomes clear that it is not enough, you can apply another layer. But sealing without a gun is best done the first time, because the composition comes out in excess and is less amenable to accurate dosing.
• The material enters first into the tube, and then to the right place after pressing the cylinder valve.

If the gun is not at hand, this does not mean that the work will have to be postponed. You can use foam without a gun in the following ways:

1. Premium material needs tubing, but at high pressure, a lot of excess compound can be expelled, increasing flow and thus costs. To avoid this effect, you can take two tubes with different lumen diameters. First, put a tube of a larger diameter on the cylinder, then it is good to fix a tube of a smaller diameter in it. This reduces pressure and helps save material.
2. Household polyurethane foam without a gun is already equipped with a special plastic tube.

If the gun is not at hand, this does not mean that the work will have to be postponed.

Rules for working with mounting foam

Foam is pretty easy to work with. The main thing is to follow the detailed instructions:

1. Gloves are worn on the hands so that the sealant does not get on the skin, as it is difficult to remove.
2. The place where the sealant will be laid, first carefully free from debris and dust. When the gap is of great depth and width, it is first laid with small pieces of foam.
3. Shake the can as directed, usually 30-60 seconds. Thanks to this, the composition becomes homogeneous, it comes out better, which simplifies the work several times.
4. The planes inside the recess are wetted, but moderately, the water should not flow along the walls.
5. The cap is removed from the bottle, which limits its operation unnecessarily. A tube is put on the ledge, replacing the gun.
6. The free edge of the plastic tube is brought to the hole at a distance of 5 cm, now you should press the valve. The hole is filled by half or a little less, as the volume increases when it dries.
7. After 30 minutes, you should carefully examine the place of foaming. If pits or empty cavities are visible there, a solution should be added.

Before filling the gap, you need to make sure that the ambient temperature meets the recommendations in the instructions for the sealant. It is necessary to carry out work when the ambient temperature within 5-20 degrees of heat.

Before filling the gap, you need to make sure that the ambient temperature meets the recommendations in the instructions for the sealant.

Important! In heat over 30 degrees, work should be postponed, and in severe frost, you can use a special

When applying, you need to constantly adjust the pressure so that it is uniform and the contents of the balloon come out in equal parts. If it gets on any surface, the composition is poorly cleaned, there is a risk of damage to the coating. When applied to the desired areas, it must be given time to harden, only then cut off the excess. The composition contains toxic components, so the working space must be well ventilated.

Complete solidification of the composition occurs after 8 hours. No need to worry if swelling has formed at the processing site - they are easy to cut off with a clerical knife.

How to remove foam from the floor or walls, where it should not be? After hardening, this can be done with acetone. As a precaution, protect your eyes by wearing clear goggles. To protect your hands, gloves are suitable, because the composition excellent grip on the skin. Removing it will be painful and traumatic.

When applying, you need to constantly adjust the pressure so that it is uniform and the contents of the balloon come out in equal parts.

Balloon reuse

If you need to use the cylinder without a gun repeatedly, for example, within a month, then you need to bend the tube, fixing the fold with adhesive tape. Then press the valve to keep the pressure in the tube. So a balloon with polyurethane foam can be used without problems for 2 months.

If the balloon is needed again only after 5-6 months, there is another way to store it. You can use acetone. The tube is carefully removed from the balloon and washed with acetone. They also drip into the valve hole. Repeat the manipulation two or better three times. So the balloon will stand for up to six months.

To work with a professional-type cylinder without a gun, you will first need to choose a suitable plastic tube, figure out how to press the valve.

For this purpose, a hand-made tube of 3 parts is suitable:

• the first is flexible;
• the second is solid;
• the third is flexible.

The first part presses the valve, the second helps prevent splashing, and the third directs the foam jet to the right place.

To work with a professional-type cylinder without a gun, you will first need to select a suitable plastic tube.

Prices for polyurethane foam with a tube

mounting foam with a tube

We make a gun with our own hands

You can make a gun for polyurethane foam from a pneumatic sprayer and a failed gun. They are combined and a well-functioning device is obtained. Here is a small instruction on how to make a foam gun:

1. The essence of the connection of these structures is to replace the paint tank of the pneumatic sprayer. Instead, a bottle of sealant is screwed on. To do this, first attach the cylinder connector, removed from the broken foam gun.
2. But the threads of the connections do not match, therefore, to fix and secure the connection, use epoxy after cleaning both threads.
3. So that the glue fills the threads and does not get into the necessary holes, they are first drowned out with hot glue. When the desired holes are plugged, you can design further.
4. Epoxy glue is diluted according to the instructions: 10 parts of resin per part of the hardener. In a regular 10 ml syringe, 10 ml of heated resin is drawn, and then 1 ml of hardener. Mix everything thoroughly, heating as needed. First, the resulting adhesive is applied to the thread of the connector so that there are no empty spaces left.
5. The body of the spray gun is securely installed, and into it the connector is glued. All is ready.
6. The final step on how to make a foam gun is to heat the joint to a temperature so that the hot melt adhesive that clogs the holes melts and flows out.

Important! The sealant is a flammable material and must not be exposed to fire.

Useful video: how to reuse a can of polyurethane foam with a straw

Sealant is used to quickly carry out repair work with high quality and at the lowest possible cost. But first it is important to calculate the approximate amount of material needed. For simple housework, sometimes even one household cylinder is enough - it is used with a tube that comes with the kit, which greatly simplifies operation and reduces work time. If the finish is large-scale, it is recommended to purchase a professional composition. In any case, it is most convenient to use such a sealant with a gun, but if it is not available, then improvised designs will do.

Modern construction sites cannot do without the use of mounting foam, the technical characteristics of which played an important role in its mass application. Professional builders and amateur craftsmen who have decided to cope with the repair work on their own have recently not imagined the installation of doors, window sills and windows, as well as construction activities related to the waterproofing of pipelines and large containers, such as water heaters and bathtubs, without the use of mounting foam , the technique of using which will be discussed in the article.

Polyurethane foam: performance characteristics

The widespread use of polyurethane foam, first of all, is due to its operational characteristics, which make it possible to consider this material indispensable in almost all types of construction work. The main properties of mounting foam, at the same time recognized as its advantages, which every builder could appreciate, are as follows:

• Can be used as a sound and heat insulator;
• High resistance to moisture and low electrical conductivity;
• The operational features of some types of mounting foam indicate resistance to fire;
• The ability to fill voids and various cracks after expansion, providing high quality seams and joints;
• Possibility of gluing elements from various materials by means of mounting foam.

Varieties of mounting foam

To date, manufacturers offer several varieties of polyurethane mounting foam, among which the following varieties are of interest to builders:

• Professional polyurethane foam, for the use of which a specialized device is used - a gun, which allows to increase the yield of polyurethane sealant and extend the period of its use;
• Household or semi-professional polyurethane foam intended for single use. In addition, the main difference between household sealant is a significantly lower filling density of the cylinder.

According to the temperature conditions under which the application of mounting foam is permissible, a video with its use is presented in the article, the following varieties are distinguished:

• Summer polyurethane foam is used if the temperature of the treated surface varies from +5 to +35 degrees;
• Winter polyurethane foam can be used in winter, as it withstands the temperature of the treated surface from -20 to +30 degrees;

• All-season polyurethane foam is characterized by a combination of properties of winter and summer modifications. The operating temperature of all-weather foam is in the range from -10 to +30 degrees.

Moreover, for builders who prefer mounting foam, the manufacturer suggests paying attention to a separate type of polyurethane sealant, which has special functional parameters - fire-fighting mounting foam. The use of non-combustible sealant, which retains its performance characteristics when exposed to high temperatures and even open fire, is practiced in the construction of facilities with the highest fire safety requirements.

How to choose the right polyurethane sealant?

When choosing mounting foam, the price of which directly depends on the quality, it is important to focus not only on the manufacturer, but also on the external characteristics of the cylinder in which the sealant is sold. The container with the best polyurethane foam is much heavier, and when shaken, its contents roll from one end of the cylinder to the other, and the price will speak for itself.

Factors affecting the consumption of mounting foam

An important parameter that experts recommend taking into account in the process of choosing a sealant is the consumption of mounting foam. It directly determines the amount of material that needs to be purchased for certain work and is determined by a large number of external and internal factors.

Internal:

• The manufacturer of mounting foam, on which one of the important technical parameters of the material depends - the primary expansion. In accordance with it, highly expanding modifications are distinguished, which include most household sealants, for example, Titanium polyurethane foam. In addition, manufacturers offer foams with medium and low expansion, suitable for more delicate work, among which are Macroflex foam, which has all of the above properties, as well as Master foam, which is characterized by minimal toxicity.

External:

• Ambient temperature;
• The material used to make the surface to be treated is recognized as one of the fundamental parameters that must be taken into account when calculating the consumption of sealant.

Instructions for the use of mounting foam. Basic subtleties of use

Regardless of which mounting foam you prefer, be it professional or household, the foam can is preheated in hot water and shaken thoroughly before use. This is done in order to mix the components of the sealant, and thereby increase the yield of mounting foam, the photo using which is presented in the article.

Further actions depend on the modification of the selected polyurethane sealant.

If it is semi-professional foam, then the tube that comes with it is put on the cylinder, while the professional foam cylinder requires the installation of a gun on it after removing the cap from it.

It is important to remember that a properly functioning gun is able to ensure the safety of unused foam for 3 days.

After preparing the material, care must be taken to carefully prepare the working plane, which will later be used to apply the sealant. Experts advise cleaning it from dirt and dust particles, as well as moistening it with water, which accelerates the polymerization of the polyurethane precursor, which is part of the sealant. In addition, this contributes to the speedy adhesion of the mounting foam to the treated surface.

The process of applying polyurethane sealant is not difficult, the only thing you need to pay close attention to is the correct dosing of the foam from the container.

In this regard, it is easier to work with professional foam, the cylinder of which is equipped with a special gun that regulates the sealant output using a valve. In the case of using household cylinders, this process is regulated by pressing the cylinder valve. It is important to take into account that in the process of applying foam to the surface, the cylinder must be held vertically with the valve down.

After applying the sealant, you must wait for it to dry completely. According to the manufacturer, the complete polymerization of the material occurs within 6-7 hours, however, its final solidification often depends on the amount of foam used and can take up to 11-12 hours.

After the mounting foam has hardened, many are wondering: "How to remove the mounting foam?". This event also does not require special skills. The excess foam remaining after it hardens is cut off with a metal file or a sharply sharpened knife.

In the event that the mounting foam was used on the street, after its final drying and subsequent removal of excess, it is covered with cement mortar or plaster. It is also not forbidden to stain it, which protects against ultraviolet radiation. The need for this measure is due to the high sensitivity of even the best polyurethane foam to ultraviolet radiation, which contributes to discoloration and premature destruction of the material.

If, when applying mounting foam, it fell into your hands, do not panic. You can remove it with the solvent used to flush the gun.

The article will discuss about the rules for using household mounting foam. Outwardly, household and professional polyurethane foam differ precisely in the tube, although in principle the work of both foams differs slightly. Sometimes professional foam can be equipped with a tube, so carefully read the inscription on the foam bottle. It is not economical to use professional foam through a tube, since there is more pressure in the cylinder and, accordingly, the consumption of mounting foam per unit of time will be large.

Ideal temperature for using mounting foam is also indicated on the foam cylinder, most often this is the temperature range from +5 to +30 degrees.

When working, hold the balloon with polyurethane foam upside down, the tip of the bottleneck tube can be flattened slightly.

The gap must be filled no more than 30 percent, since the foam increases in volume several times. It is possible to add mounting foam, but it is not worth it, most often the foam is, on the contrary, excessive, it also applies to the recommendation to moisten the mounting foam for faster hardening.

After about half an hour, inspect the workplace, if there is not enough foam, add, cut off the excess. Complete hardening of mounting foam from a cylinder occurs at least eight hours later.

If the mounting surface is exposed to the street, it must be covered with plaster or painted with paint after complete curing. Otherwise, upon contact with ultraviolet rays, the mounting foam will begin to collapse over time!

Having finished working with the cylinder, it is necessary rinse the tube with a special rinse for lather, then blow gently with air (save your lips, better use a bicycle pump) to use it next time!

By the way, I personally do it in a different way, after the remaining foam has solidified in the tube, I pull it out by screwing in an ordinary screw, like a corkscrew, while the foam does not freeze inside the cap. Although it is most reliable not to use the straw many times, but rather to calculate the required number of cans of polyurethane foam for work, the amount of foam received from the can is always indicated on the foam can.

Memo - any mounting foam does not stick to silicone and polyethylene!

Polyurethane foam is one of the most popular materials on the market. We have made a selection of various tricks and life hacks that will make working with it easier and more comfortable, as well as find new areas of application for it.

1. The main components of polyurethane foam are polyol and diisocyanate, as a result of the reaction of which a prepolymer is formed. Moisture, which is usually taken from the surrounding air, is required to harden the mounting foam. According to certain calculations, it takes about 40 ml of water to harden the foam from a 750 ml can. Based on this, we can draw the first conclusion that the presence of moisture (up to a certain threshold) contributes to the rapid hardening of the foam and prevents its further expansion. Therefore, it is recommended to pre-moisten the places where the foam is applied with water. In addition, this will improve the adhesion of the foam to the applied surface.

1. The long-standing love of rodents for polyurethane foam, which they easily turn into dust, is known. But at the moment, compositions began to appear on the market that rodents do not like.

1. Since the foam bottle must be held upside down during operation, with a PVC tube extension, even cracks in the ceiling or in any hard-to-reach places can be easily processed.

1. Acetone, as well as solvents based on it, can easily clean the surface of uncured foam. But with a frozen one, such a number will no longer work.
2. The older the foam in the can, the higher its viscosity. Accordingly, its expansion coefficient and the final volume decrease. In order for the viscosity of the foam not to grow so quickly over time, manufacturers make special additives, so it is recommended to shake the contents of the cylinder well before starting work.
3. The gun will allow you to more precisely dose the foam, thereby you will get additional convenience and savings. It will also come in handy for a large amount of work. High-quality models can be left without washing for a month or more. In other cases, a bottle with a special flushing liquid should be used.
4. In the assortment of some manufacturers there are cylinders with black foam. It's also great for landscaping. For example, to fix stones on an alpine hill. As long as it is not exposed to direct sunlight.

1. If you need to apply foam in several layers to close large openings, manufacturers recommend waiting an hour or two between laying each new layer. But if each layer is slightly moistened with a spray bottle, then the waiting hours can be reduced to 10-15 minutes.
2. In the absence of an appropriate filler, polyurethane foam will also help when transporting fragile items. To do this, line the box with cling film, fill it a third with foam, put a layer of film on which to lay a fragile thing. Then on top is another layer of film, which is also covered with foam. As a result, the foam will easily separate into two parts, which will simplify unpacking.

1. For foaming cracks in window and door openings, foam with a minimum coefficient of expansion should be used, otherwise it may be difficult to open windows and doors. Typically, such foam is labeled as window foam. But if this was not at hand, it is better to apply the foam in two layers. First, a small amount of foam is placed deep into the gap, to which, after the final expansion and hardening, another layer can be added if necessary.
2. In the absence of acetone, you can rinse the plastic nozzle tube with a carburetor cleaner (it also contains acetone). You can get it at any auto parts store. But this must be done immediately after use, until the remnants of the foam have hardened.

1. Winter foam can be used at temperatures up to -10 C°, and some types even up to -20 C°. But at the same time, the foam cylinder itself must have a temperature of at least +5 ° C. Hot water can be used to quickly heat the cylinder, but under no circumstances should it be placed in an open fire or other methods of rapid heating should be used. Otherwise, the result can be sad.

1. You can get rid of spilled or splashed foam after it hardens with the help of special cleaning gels designed for foam. They soften it, after which the foam can be easily removed.
2. When working with foam, do not forget to wear gloves, otherwise the foam that gets on the skin will leave stains on it for a couple of days.