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#1
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
Is there a way to use only part of a can of urethane insulating foam spray, and
save the rest to use later? I find if you don't use it all right away the nozzle and dispenser tube permanently clog. |
#2
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Oct 26, 6:04 pm, dbr wrote:
Is there a way to use only part of a can of urethane insulating foam spray, and save the rest to use later? I find if you don't use it all right away the nozzle and dispenser tube permanently clog. On rare occasions I have been able to get an extra use from the spray cans by blowing out the tubing and can outlet with compressed air. A shot of lacquer thinner helps somewhat. Long term, though, it is pretty much hopeless. Sure would be neat if they marketed a much smaller sized can maybe in four packs for those many small jobs we have to do. Joe |
#3
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Oct 26, 5:04 pm, dbr wrote:
Is there a way to use only part of a can of urethane insulating foam spray, and save the rest to use later? I find if you don't use it all right away the nozzle and dispenser tube permanently clog. When you're done spraying the foam and the can still has some material left in it, you can unscrew the nozzle and put pipe cleaners in both ends of the nozzle. Also put a pipe cleaner down the hole the nozzle was screwed into. After the foam hardens on the pipe cleaners, just pull them out and the dried foam sticks to them. |
#4
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Oct 26, 6:04 pm, dbr wrote:
Is there a way to use only part of a can of urethane insulating foam spray, and save the rest to use later? I find if you don't use it all right away the nozzle and dispenser tube permanently clog. For any aerosol you should always turn the can upside down and spray until just propellant comes out. This will ensure that the nozzle passage is clear for the next time. What happens when you do this with the foam? Eventually you should just get propellant, then just cap it for next time. |
#5
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
The instructions for Great Stuff used to cover this. Remember when it first
came out and a folded booklet was inside the cap of each can, along with a pair of disposable gloves? Anyway, when you are done, unscrew the parts. Dampen some flat wooden toothpicks and shove one in each of the holes, large end first. So that's one toothpick into the can, and one in each end of the plastic nozzle/trigger. The foam will harden around the toothpicks and it just pulls right out later. It doesn't work as well for the tube since it is too long, so I give it a squirt of lacquer thinner or acetone when I am done. This dissolves the sticky foam. You can also clean the parts and can with the solvent, but if you leave even a little bit it will jam, so the toothpicks work better. -- Dennis |
#6
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
I use a bunch of phone or network wire from pieces of cable. shoving a
length down the tube with a small loop at the end will pull the dried foam out. Another with a small loop into the top of the can with the nozzle removed, and a final wire threaded through the nozzle. The small loops allow the wire to grip the foam and pull it out without the wire pulling out of the foam. Done this so many times that I now have a number of spare nozzles and tubes. "DT" wrote in message news:tbmdnULFsuFfIb_anZ2dnUVZ_v3inZ2d@wideopenwest .com... The instructions for Great Stuff used to cover this. Remember when it first came out and a folded booklet was inside the cap of each can, along with a pair of disposable gloves? Anyway, when you are done, unscrew the parts. Dampen some flat wooden toothpicks and shove one in each of the holes, large end first. So that's one toothpick into the can, and one in each end of the plastic nozzle/trigger. The foam will harden around the toothpicks and it just pulls right out later. It doesn't work as well for the tube since it is too long, so I give it a squirt of lacquer thinner or acetone when I am done. This dissolves the sticky foam. You can also clean the parts and can with the solvent, but if you leave even a little bit it will jam, so the toothpicks work better. -- Dennis |
#7
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Fri, 26 Oct 2007 20:08:58 -0700, RickH
wrote: On Oct 26, 6:04 pm, dbr wrote: Is there a way to use only part of a can of urethane insulating foam spray, and save the rest to use later? I find if you don't use it all right away the nozzle and dispenser tube permanently clog. For any aerosol you should always turn the can upside down and spray until just propellant comes out. This will ensure that the nozzle passage is clear for the next time. What happens when you do this with the foam? Eventually you should just get propellant, then just cap it for next time. The foam I use [great Stuff] sprays just fine upside down. I've had about a 50% success rate in re-use. [using the pipe-cleaner trick mentioned in this thread] Now I tend to find a bunch of spots to spray it until I've used up a can- and wait until I think I can use up a whole can before I start one. Jim |
#8
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
Is there a way to use only part of a can of urethane insulating foam
spray, and save the rest to use later? I find if you don't use it all right away the nozzle and dispenser tube permanently clog. Do like I do and take extra ones from the existing cans at the Borg. That leaves the can unsaleable and it gets returned to the supplier. If they can't make a product that will allow you to use more than 20%, they deserve returns. |
#9
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:50:30 -0400, "Buck Turgidson"
wrote: Is there a way to use only part of a can of urethane insulating foam spray, and save the rest to use later? I find if you don't use it all right away the nozzle and dispenser tube permanently clog. Do like I do and take extra ones from the existing cans at the Borg. That leaves the can unsaleable and it gets returned to the supplier. If they can't make a product that will allow you to use more than 20%, they deserve returns. They should also clearly display disposable gloves with the product as well. |
#10
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Fri, 26 Oct 2007 23:29:37 -0000, Joe wrote:
On Oct 26, 6:04 pm, dbr wrote: Is there a way to use only part of a can of urethane insulating foam spray, and save the rest to use later? I find if you don't use it all right away the nozzle and dispenser tube permanently clog. On rare occasions I have been able to get an extra use from the spray cans by blowing out the tubing and can outlet with compressed air. A shot of lacquer thinner helps somewhat. Long term, though, it is pretty much hopeless. Sure would be neat if they marketed a much smaller sized can maybe in four packs for those many small jobs we have to do. Joe They actually do sell a smaller can now. I went to buy some and they had the regular size cans for $5 or the small (half the amount) size ones for $4.89. Now that's a huge savings....... Why not just include more nozzles, or even sell them separately. Even at 25cents each they could make money on them. The bottom line, they WANT you to waste half the can so you buy another can...... I often wonder what those in industry use for nozzles who apply this stuff all day every day. Many of the pre-fab homes are filled with large amounts of foam. I know that dont come in aerosol cans, but is applied by machine. Yet, they must have nozzle clogging too. |
#11
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Sat, 27 Oct 2007 12:11:17 -0400, Terry
wrote: On Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:50:30 -0400, "Buck Turgidson" wrote: Is there a way to use only part of a can of urethane insulating foam spray, and save the rest to use later? I find if you don't use it all right away the nozzle and dispenser tube permanently clog. Do like I do and take extra ones from the existing cans at the Borg. That leaves the can unsaleable and it gets returned to the supplier. If they can't make a product that will allow you to use more than 20%, they deserve returns. They should also clearly display disposable gloves with the product as well. I've cleaned the plastic tube out with wire, 14 gauge after it has hardened(like the next usage) and also cleaned out the part in the aerosol can with the same wire, and it worked no problem. I think the plastic tube can come apart also, making it easier to clean. I like the idea of sticking a wire into the tube after usage, that would make it easy to clean. samurai. |
#12
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
Thanks for all the great suggestions, I knew someone out there has to have this
problem too. |
#13
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
responding to
http://www.homeownershub.com/mainten...le-261617-.htm stockthomas wrote: Hey guys, A company sells spare nozzle packs that work with great stuff and other brands. They are in my local hardware store, www.xtendafoam.com , saves me the hassle of trying to clean out a nozzle or throw away half used cans. samurai wrote: On Sat, 27 Oct 2007 12:11:17 -0400, Terry wrote: On Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:50:30 -0400, "Buck Turgidson" wrote: Is there a way to use only part of a can of urethane insulating foam spray, and save the rest to use later? I find if you don\'t use it all right away the nozzle and dispenser tube permanently clog. Do like I do and take extra ones from the existing cans at the Borg. That leaves the can unsaleable and it gets returned to the supplier. If they can\'t make a product that will allow you to use more than 20%, they deserve returns. They should also clearly display disposable gloves with the product as well. I\'ve cleaned the plastic tube out with wire, 14 gauge after it has hardened(like the next usage) and also cleaned out the part in the aerosol can with the same wire, and it worked no problem. I think the plastic tube can come apart also, making it easier to clean. I like the idea of sticking a wire into the tube after usage, that would make it easy to clean. samurai. ------------------------------------- |
#15
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
I followed the directions- sprayed upside-down until no foam came out.
Worked once. Then the next time I tried to use it, nothing came out, so I pulled a little harder on the trigger and broke it. Now I have no idea how to dispose of the can- not for recycling, but if I put it in the garbage, when the truck crushes it it'll make a mess. Guess I have to wait for Hazardous Substances disposal day (every few months around here). Copyright 2011 by Shaun Eli. All Rights Reserved. |
#16
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
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#17
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
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#18
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On 7/22/2011 5:17 PM, Shaun Eli wrote:
I followed the directions- sprayed upside-down until no foam came out. Worked once. Then the next time I tried to use it, nothing came out, so I pulled a little harder on the trigger and broke it. Now I have no idea how to dispose of the can- not for recycling, but if I put it in the garbage, when the truck crushes it it'll make a mess. Guess I have to wait for Hazardous Substances disposal day (every few months around here). Copyright 2011 by Shaun Eli. All Rights Reserved. They make dandy plinking targets for your .22, or even a good air rifle. Good square hit, and instant gratification. BTW, I've seen the inside of a packer truck up close. It, and the operators, will never even notice. Bang the side of one sometime- that is THICK steel. -- aem sends... |
#19
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
They make dandy plinking targets for your .22, or even a good air rifle. Good square hit, and instant gratification. Oh yeah! I've done that. Once, just for the heck of it, I took a pick ax to the can. It sprayed over everything including a slightly worn white shirt. Being on the cheap side, I continued to wear the shirt as if nothing happened. Only one person ever asked my how my shirt got that yellow, THICK stain. I was quite honest. |
#20
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On 7/26/2011 5:58 PM, John Gilmer wrote:
They make dandy plinking targets for your .22, or even a good air rifle. Good square hit, and instant gratification. Oh yeah! I've done that. Once, just for the heck of it, I took a pick ax to the can. It sprayed over everything including a slightly worn white shirt. Being on the cheap side, I continued to wear the shirt as if nothing happened. Only one person ever asked my how my shirt got that yellow, THICK stain. I was quite honest. Once, in the apartment I used to live in, I had to store my spray cans in milk crates on the shelf above the washer and drier. One night, peacefully wasting time on the computer like I am now, I here a loud noise in the kitchen. A spray can of some sort of foaming automotive cleanser had picked then and there to rot through with a catastrophic failure, and sprayed stinky foam all over the other cans and dripped down through the milk crate and wire shelf all over the W/D setup. Took me hours to clean up the mess. Only time in 40-some years of buying spray cans that has ever happened to me- they usually just quietly (but neatly) lose their pressure and die on me. -- aem sends... |
#21
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:46:56 -0400, aemeijers wrote:
On 7/26/2011 5:58 PM, John Gilmer wrote: They make dandy plinking targets for your .22, or even a good air rifle. Good square hit, and instant gratification. Oh yeah! I've done that. Once, just for the heck of it, I took a pick ax to the can. It sprayed over everything including a slightly worn white shirt. Being on the cheap side, I continued to wear the shirt as if nothing happened. Only one person ever asked my how my shirt got that yellow, THICK stain. I was quite honest. Once, in the apartment I used to live in, I had to store my spray cans in milk crates on the shelf above the washer and drier. One night, peacefully wasting time on the computer like I am now, I here a loud noise in the kitchen. A spray can of some sort of foaming automotive cleanser had picked then and there to rot through with a catastrophic failure, and sprayed stinky foam all over the other cans and dripped down through the milk crate and wire shelf all over the W/D setup. Took me hours to clean up the mess. Only time in 40-some years of buying spray cans that has ever happened to me- they usually just quietly (but neatly) lose their pressure and die on me. I keep such things in a solid-bottomed container. I've rarely had that problem, rather something else leaking and ruining cartons. I just find it easier to store things in solid trays. If I have to clean out the cabinet, it goes much faster, too. |
#22
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Friday, October 26, 2007 7:04:57 PM UTC-4, dbr wrote:
Is there a way to use only part of a can of urethane insulating foam spray, and save the rest to use later? I find if you don't use it all right away the nozzle and dispenser tube permanently clog. I have tried carburetor cleaner immediately after I am finished foaming something. Remove the nozzle by unscrewing it and spray cleaner into the opening until it comes out the other end. I doubt this will work if the foam has dried, however. |
#23
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On 11/12/2014 2:44 PM, wrote:
On Friday, October 26, 2007 7:04:57 PM UTC-4, dbr wrote: Is there a way to use only part of a can of urethane insulating foam spray, and save the rest to use later? I find if you don't use it all right away the nozzle and dispenser tube permanently clog. I have tried carburetor cleaner immediately after I am finished foaming something. Remove the nozzle by unscrewing it and spray cleaner into the opening until it comes out the other end. I doubt this will work if the foam has dried, however. Since the original post is from 2007, maybe the carb cleaner had some time to work? -- .. Christopher A. Young Learn about Jesus www.lds.org .. |
#24
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Quote:
I haven't read all the posts in this thread so if someone has already suggested acetone, my apologies. You'll find that acetone dissolves dried Great Stuff expanding polyurethane foam. Simply use an eye dropper to drip some acetone into the nozzle on the can as well as the plastic nozzle that screws onto it. You can also use pipe cleaners to clean those areas with acetone as well if you want, but just flooding them with acetone 2 or 3 times should be all you need. Typically, nail polish remover is acetone, so if you just want to try it to see that it works, borrow some nail polish remover. You can buy acetone by the gallon at any paint & hardware store or home center. Also, you can buy plastic tubing that will fit the nozzles at any hydroponics store for about 5 cents per foot. That way you can just throw away the tube after each usage. Last edited by nestork : November 13th 14 at 02:36 AM |
#25
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
replying to Buck Turgidson, Jackbear wrote:
jc_va wrote: Do like I do and take extra ones from the existing cans at the Borg. That leaves the can unsaleable and it gets returned to the supplier. If they can't make a product that will allow you to use more than 20%, they deserve returns. Yes, that method works great if you have no integrity. I have no love for the inability to use all of the product but becoming a thief - a common shoplifter - isn't on the list of acceptable options. -- |
#26
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:44:01 +0000, Jackbear
wrote: replying to Buck Turgidson, Jackbear wrote: jc_va wrote: Do like I do and take extra ones from the existing cans at the Borg. That leaves the can unsaleable and it gets returned to the supplier. If they can't make a product that will allow you to use more than 20%, they deserve returns. Yes, that method works great if you have no integrity. I have no love for the inability to use all of the product but becoming a thief - a common shoplifter - isn't on the list of acceptable options. All you got to do, is stick a piece of bailing wire in the nozzle immediately after use. When you want to use the can again, pull this wire and the dried foam comes out. This may not work for long time storage, but if you want to use the can within a few days, it works everytime. |
#27
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
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#28
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
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#29
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:39:06 -0800, Oren wrote:
On Tue, 08 Dec 2015 17:12:48 -0500, wrote: All you got to do, is stick a piece of bailing wire in the nozzle immediately after use. When you want to use the can again, pull this wire and the dried foam comes out. This may not work for long time storage, but if you want to use the can within a few days, it works everytime. a thimblefull of acetone and a puff of compressed air does the job.Particularly if you get it when it's fresh - but I've done it days later too. Stuff a pipe cleaner into the tube. I works a bit longer. longer than totally clearing the tube??? I don't think so. And the pipe cleaner can bet "glued in" by the foam too. When I rinse with acetone and blow the tube out, it's pretty much as clean as new. |
#30
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Tue, 08 Dec 2015 20:09:11 -0500, wrote:
Stuff a pipe cleaner into the tube. I works a bit longer. longer than totally clearing the tube??? I don't think so. And the pipe cleaner can bet "glued in" by the foam too. When I rinse with acetone and blow the tube out, it's pretty much as clean as new. Pick your poison. Can't speak for everybody. YMMV |
#31
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Tue, 08 Dec 2015 17:29:08 -0800, Oren wrote:
On Tue, 08 Dec 2015 20:09:11 -0500, wrote: Stuff a pipe cleaner into the tube. I works a bit longer. longer than totally clearing the tube??? I don't think so. And the pipe cleaner can bet "glued in" by the foam too. When I rinse with acetone and blow the tube out, it's pretty much as clean as new. Pick your poison. Can't speak for everybody. YMMV A "clean " tube will be useable any time from 5 minutes from now to 5 years from now. A pipe cleaner can be stuck in, never to come out again - or might come out with a lot of pulling. |
#32
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Tue, 08 Dec 2015 20:39:28 -0500, wrote:
On Tue, 08 Dec 2015 17:29:08 -0800, Oren wrote: On Tue, 08 Dec 2015 20:09:11 -0500, wrote: Stuff a pipe cleaner into the tube. I works a bit longer. longer than totally clearing the tube??? I don't think so. And the pipe cleaner can bet "glued in" by the foam too. When I rinse with acetone and blow the tube out, it's pretty much as clean as new. Pick your poison. Can't speak for everybody. YMMV A "clean " tube will be useable any time from 5 minutes from now to 5 years from now. A pipe cleaner can be stuck in, never to come out again - or might come out with a lot of pulling. Bailing wire does the same as the pipe cleaners. |
#33
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Tue, 08 Dec 2015 20:20:40 -0600, wrote:
On Tue, 08 Dec 2015 20:39:28 -0500, wrote: On Tue, 08 Dec 2015 17:29:08 -0800, Oren wrote: On Tue, 08 Dec 2015 20:09:11 -0500, wrote: Stuff a pipe cleaner into the tube. I works a bit longer. longer than totally clearing the tube??? I don't think so. And the pipe cleaner can bet "glued in" by the foam too. When I rinse with acetone and blow the tube out, it's pretty much as clean as new. Pick your poison. Can't speak for everybody. YMMV A "clean " tube will be useable any time from 5 minutes from now to 5 years from now. A pipe cleaner can be stuck in, never to come out again - or might come out with a lot of pulling. Bailing wire does the same as the pipe cleaners. The answer saying to use pipe cleaner because it would last longer was in reply to flushing the rube with acetone and blowing it perfectly clean with a blast of air. The baling wire might be easier to get out than the pipe cleaner. I tried the pipe cleaner once - after that the acetone was tried -(it got the pipe cleaner out) and I haven't bothered with the pipe cleaner since. |
#34
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
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#35
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Wed, 09 Dec 2015 02:08:36 -0600, wrote:
On Tue, 08 Dec 2015 21:44:34 -0500, wrote: Bailing wire does the same as the pipe cleaners. The answer saying to use pipe cleaner because it would last longer was in reply to flushing the rube with acetone and blowing it perfectly clean with a blast of air. The baling wire might be easier to get out than the pipe cleaner. I tried the pipe cleaner once - after that the acetone was tried -(it got the pipe cleaner out) and I haven't bothered with the pipe cleaner since. I would think the pipe cleaner would make it harder to remove, and it might break since it's got a very thin wire inside. Bailing wire is 17gauge up to 12g. You can grab it with a plyers and it wont break. Cheaper too. Exactly what I said. |
#36
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Clean spray foam can nozzle?
On Friday, October 26, 2007 at 6:04:57 PM UTC-5, dbr wrote:
Is there a way to use only part of a can of urethane insulating foam spray, and save the rest to use later? I find if you don't use it all right away the nozzle and dispenser tube permanently clog. These replacements worked well for me http://www.ebay.com/itm/Five-Expandi...kAAOSw-3FZDe1L |
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