Flushing the foam gun. How to clean the gun from mounting foam? A few simple ways

The foam gun has to be cleaned of two types of contaminants. Right after construction works cleaning is carried out from the still uncured foam.

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

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

The reverse side of the coin when using polyurethane foam is the pollution that it leaves. The pistol that is in direct contact with it suffers the most. To spend less effort, cleaning should be carried out every time after work. If this is not done, then the material will dry out very firmly. In any case, the main goal is to find outmost efficiently and quickly.

Acetone, like any other solvent, is finecopes with construction foamwhich has just begun to dry up.

Acetone will clean the gun from foam

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

In addition to acetone, white spirit, xylene, solvent, 646, 647, 649, 650 and P-4 paint thinners can be used. Gasoline "Kalosha", kerosene and turpentine, which have similar properties, are also suitable. Water, including hot water, does not help at all in cleaning.

Attention! All of the above liquids have a sharp specific odor and are highly flammable. Therefore, safety precautions must be observed when using them.

It is best to use solvents for regular cleaning of the gun from the remnants of mounting foam. If after each use it is washed with a solvent, then this can save a lot of time at home later.

Immediately after the work is completed, it is necessary to carefully disconnect the cylinder.

The empty bottle must be removed.

With the help of a clean piece of cloth, fresh pieces of foam that have not yet had time to harden are removed.

Another piece of rag is wetted in the solvent, it is necessary to wipe the adapter (if any), the collar of the cylinder mount and immediately wipe the tip of the gun.

Foam also needs to be wiped off near the trigger. If she has time to freeze there, then this can lead to difficult use of the gun in the future.

Also, problems are caused by the drying of the foam in the "barrel" of the gun - a narrow channel through which the material under pressure from the cylinder is supplied to the required place.

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

Gun cleaning

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

If the foam still had time to cool, then the solvent can be fed directly into the channel from the side of the tip. To do this, you can use a regular syringe with a thin needle. You will most likely only be able to use the syringe 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 to its full length and release it inside. This will greatly facilitate the cleaning of an expensive gun, allowing you to do it quickly and without much cost.

Aggressive solvents can also be used forremoving foam from metal doors and tile sealant.

Pharmaceutical dimexide has properties similar to a solvent.

Pharmacy solvent

It has a destructive effect on the foam, while it is absolutely safe for the skin of the hands and the fabric with which it is applied to the gun. The washing method is the same as above. If necessary, dimexide can beWipe foam off work clothes and super glue hands.

Cleaning the gun with a special cylinder

Similar to a foam can, a special can can be connected to a greased gun, such as Penosil Cleaner, which is filled with high-pressure cleaner. Such a cylinder is designed for regular maintenance of a pistol that has just been used. It effectively flushes the valve, trigger, and bore with solvents that corrode and extrude wet foam.

The mechanical cleaning method 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 Turned to Stone

The density with which it is packed under pressure from a cylinder, combined with its durable physical properties makes the material in this case practically invulnerable to any solvents. The liquid poured into the gun is not even able to make its way in the channel, which makes this method of cleaning impossible. For this you need to use mechanically.

Note! The mechanical method is applicable for glass cleaning from old paint , as well as atremoving silicone sealant from a cast iron bath .

Mechanical cleaning is the physical removal of foam or sealant from the gun.

Remaining foam is removed with a knife

It is necessary to arm yourself with a sharp shoe or clerical knife and a very thin wire with a pointed end. With the help of a knife, hardened pieces are cut off, access to the hole from which the foam was supplied is cleaned 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 moves, the easier it will be to clean the gun later with a solvent.

Advice! It is undesirable to clean the barrel of a pistol with Karcher - too much pressure can damage fragile parts.

Cleaning the cylinder mount and valve

With the same knife, you can largely remove the dried foam from the fastening surface and threads, thereby freeing up space in order to pour the solvent. It is necessary to carefully remove all residual sealant from the valve and threads, then moisten them liberally with liquid.

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

As a last resort, when the above methods do not help, it is necessary to resort to disassembly in order toclean the parts of the foam gun individually.

Foam Gun Disassembly

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

After that, the trigger mechanism is disconnected and the pistol 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 all large foam residues with a knife. Models Craftul and Stayer are assembled in reverse order.

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

Larisa, .

How to clean the gun from mounting foam

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

Which gun can be cleaned of foam

According to the method of release from the cylinder, mounting 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 spray cans that are attached to a special gun. Such devices can be cleaned and disassembled.

It is believed that professional pistols are an excess when performing household work, however, there is an opposite opinion based on the undeniable advantages and merits of such tools. Inexpensive devices for the release of 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 to put in order a practically new (even the cheapest) tool and thereby save a certain amount of money.

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

For the sake of justice, it is worth noting that the advertised and more expensive Teflon guns, as well as metal or plastic models, tend to get dirty as a result of foam exposure.

How can I remove mounting foam

It is recommended to flush the gun with the help of special chemical washes, which are placed under pressure in cylinders. Washing agents are usually used immediately after work, as most chemicals of this kind effectively remove only fresh foam. Present on the market great amount specialized washes-cleaners, among them the following brands are most in demand (according to Yandex Market).

Table: cleaners in the domestic market

By chemical properties and content, all the formulations mentioned actually have similar characteristics. When buying a wash, you should only carefully study the instructions that come with the product.

Photo gallery: gun flushing products

Atoll is suitable for flushing mounting guns of all types
Dali - an effective means of cleaning dirt 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 - aerosol cleaner
Liquid in an aerosol can for cleaning mounting guns Profil
Designed to remove uncured foam from various surfaces
Zubr Expert - domestic cleaner for mounting gun

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

If the gun becomes dirty after repair or construction, all you need is a can of flushing and rags. Otherwise (for example, when the tool is jammed), first of all, you should determine the reason why the unit stopped functioning. Often the failure of the gun is triggered by a malfunction of the device, and sometimes problems with the cylinder. The latter usually happens when working outdoors during the cold season, or as a result of improper storage of the container.

The can is tested by replacing it with a known good one. If you are sure that the whole thing is in the foam that clogged the tool, you need to try to clean the gun by attaching a wash.

Necessary tools and materials

To flush and disassemble the device in case it is contaminated with mounting foam, you will need:

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

Safety

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

• The cleaner bottle contains highly toxic components that can harm a person by causing burns and causing poisoning or allergies.
• The container is under high pressure, you should always keep this in mind.
• Keep the cylinder away from heat sources. Keep it away from direct sunlight.
• Do not smoke in the immediate vicinity of the cylinders or near the place where they are stored. Remember, the substance in the container is explosive.
• Protective rubber gloves and a mask covering the nose and mouth should be worn during operation.
• It is necessary to direct the jet from the cylinder strictly away from you. Be careful not to get the chemical on your skin.
• If the cleaner gets into your eyes, mouth, or Airways- treat the affected areas with running water and consult a doctor immediately.
• Never dismantle or incinerate an empty container.

How to clean the gun from mounting 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, so as not to damage the surface.

How to wash dried sealant

Cured foam can be removed with any acetone-based solvent or white spirit. Contamination with dried foam is the most difficult to remove, so before you carry out work on sealing something, it is worth stocking up on one of these products in addition to the standard cleaner.

The vast majority of gun flushes will only effectively remove fresh sealant. 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 highly undesirable).

What to do in advanced cases

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

Video: dimexide against polyurethane foam

How to avoid gun clogging

• The gun is stored with the valve closed.
• If the device is not used for more than a week, the foam can must be turned out.
• The device should always be flushed after use.
• If a new bottle of polyurethane foam is installed, the nozzle should be cleaned first.
• It is not recommended to shake, let alone throw the gun.
• Do not pull the trigger of the device without a cylinder.

Reviews

Mounting foam is considered one of the most difficult to remove compositions. It is especially difficult to clean the gun for this sealant. Foam products are synthetic materials, and therefore the presence of them on any surface can be a real problem. Foam can 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 the cylinder

To remove any remaining foam, release the nipple on the canister itself (the place on the top of the canister where the nozzle is inserted) from the foam column.

After that, 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 pinch it by squeezing with your fingers where the foam remains. The air bubbles remaining 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 order. 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 bottle with it in the gun and tighten the regulator until it stops. Air will not get inside and the foam will remain liquid. In this form, the tool will remain operational for up to six months.

If it doesn't move when you pull the trigger, the gun is clogged. Do not try to press the trigger in the hope that you will “break through” the blockage with an effort. This will not happen, and you will break the tool.

How to properly clean a gun - video

Is it possible to wash the old foam that has long frozen

Mechanical cleaning of the gun is quite effective, but if the foam has long frozen inside the barrel, then it is unlikely to be completely removed. As a result, the next time you use the pressure of the foam will decrease, as it will be delayed by the remaining particles of the substance. The disadvantage of the method is the laboriousness and complexity of cleaning. Only help to solve the problem proper care behind the tool after use, i.e. regular and timely rinsing.

How to wash the tool after work - video

Do not try to save money by pumping acetone or other solvent into a used cleaner bottle. This is dangerous! It is strictly forbidden to open a pressurized cylinder. Acetone is a corrosive and toxic liquid and must be handled with care.

The tool can be saved even with severe clogging, but you should not wait until the foam hardens. Long-dry material is difficult to clean. If you wash the foam gun in time after use, you will not have to resort to time-consuming cleaning methods.

In the construction and repair business, the mounting gun has long become an indispensable attribute. Without it, it is not so easy to perform various important processes: install plastic windows, install interior and entrance doors, mount slopes, seal engineering systems, insulate facades, and so on. But this device is often clogged, therefore, when buying it, you need to immediately clarify how to clean the foam gun.

Peculiarities

By means of a sealant and a gun for its supply, various cracks and voids are closed up, and a wide variety of manipulations are performed. But, despite the simplicity of the design, this device requires special attention and care.

There are several varieties of the device, which determine the method of cleaning it:

1. Metal pistol. The most reliable and durable tool. Its service life reaches an average of 5 years. Easy to apply and clean.
2. Teflon. The device has metal surfaces coated with Teflon for protection. Due to this feature, the gun is easy to clean. The sealant removal method is the same as the metal counterpart.
3. Plastic. It is a disposable device, so it is impractical to clean it.

As a rule, a mounting gun is used more than a dozen times, and so that further work with this tool does not cause trouble, it should be cleaned in a timely manner.

There are several options for removing sealant from the gun:

1. Cleaning without removing the cylinder. The easiest way to clean the foam dispenser. Suitable for frequent use of the tool and involves the replacement of containers with polyurethane foam when they are completely empty.
2. Using a chemical reagent. Flushing of the gun is carried out with chemical compounds, carried out after the completion of all installation work and removal of the cylinder. This cleaning method is ideal for short-term use.
3. mechanical cleaning. Provides disassembly of the device and thorough cleaning of all its parts. For this operation, a special wash, penknife, cotton fabrics can be used.

What to clean?

The degree of contamination of the gun determines how it is cleaned. The simplest and most accessible option for everyone is used when the pollution is removed immediately after using the unit. It provides for the removal of visible particles of the gun and the displacement of the residual masses of sealant out of the barrel.

Mechanical cleaning provides complete disassembly tool:

1. It is necessary to unscrew and remove everything that is possible. The instructions that come with the kit should have detailed information regarding product design. When disassembling, you need to try not to damage anything or break the thread.
2. When disassembling the gun, all parts should be cleaned of foam and wiped with a dry rag, and the barrel should be blown out. For these purposes, a ramrod is useful, you can make it yourself from improvised means, for example, wire.
3. Pour flush into the barrel, then clean the tube from the remnants of the foam masses with an improvised rod. Repeat all manipulations until the ramrod moves easily in the barrel and its tip appears with reverse side. If the foam in the barrel has dried up, it will not work to remove it only with a chemical substance.
4. It is necessary to clean the barrel very carefully so that when further work the remaining foam did not interfere with the passage of the new polyurethane foam sealant.
5. After cleaning the tool, it is necessary to lubricate its connecting nodes and assemble.
6. The tool is ready to use.

It is necessary to perform such actions only if there is an idea of ​​\u200b\u200bhow the devices are arranged. If there is no such information, then it is better to seek help from specialists.

Dismantling a pistol is an extreme case, and it is better not to bring the equipment to such procedures. Even after thorough cleaning of the gun new sealant may not pass well through the nozzle, and the gun will become useless.

The following cleaning method is used if the barrel of the gun is completely clogged and the adjustment lever (trigger) is not pressed. In this case, it is necessary to carefully clean the nozzle from the foam material and lubricate it with a solvent. The barrel must be lowered. After a few minutes, the lever should begin to move. If this happens, you can continue with subsequent cleaning.

If the trigger mechanism has not set in motion, then you should use the third method. There is a small ball in the area where the foam container connects to the gun. It is he who needs to be treated with a solvent. Such actions will help with cleaning if the foam has clogged the check valve very much. Not earlier than after 15 minutes, you can fix the bottle with the cleaner, and clean the barrel with its contents.

Based on all of the above, we can conclude that when starting to work with a foam gun, you must always have a bottle of cleaner available. Foresight will help to clean expensive equipment in time from the remnants of foam that has not yet hardened, and extend the performance of the device. If the sealant has cured, the use of brute force can damage the gun, especially if it has a Teflon coating. In this case, the device becomes unsuitable for reuse.

If the tool remains contaminated at the end of work, and there is a possibility of the foam drying up, do not press the trigger before carrying out cleaning procedures. Such actions can lead to a breakdown of the mechanism.

It is necessary to clean the gun from the hardened polyurethane foam according to certain rules:

1. Immediately you need to clean the barrel of adhering sealant. For these purposes, you can use a knife, only clean it very carefully so that the valve is not damaged.
2. The gun valve/nozzle must be pointing straight down. The descent mechanism must be filled with dimexide. After a minute, you can lightly pull the trigger. If he began to hesitate, and sealant flowed from the nozzle, then the gun can continue to be used. If this does not happen, then you will have to proceed to the next step to remove the accumulated sealant.
3. Near the place for connecting the cylinder there is a small ball. It is also necessary to apply a small amount of dimexide to it, and then attach a bottle with a cleaner. After a minute or two, you can try to press the adjustment lever.

If none of the described methods helped, you need to completely disassemble the tool, and drip a solvent or the same dimexide into the socket and all the internal parts of the device. After 20 minutes, all remnants of the hardened mass of sealant will give in and can be easily removed with a rag. After collecting the gun, you need to rinse it with a reagent.

A similar method of removing foam should be carried out only when more than 7 hours have passed from the end of work. During this time, the foam dries completely, so the tool must be cleaned mechanically. After such cleaning, the device may produce less pressure than before. Therefore, it is better to immediately take care of the device and remove all possible foreign masses immediately, before they have time to dry.

There is another method that allows you not to resort to the mechanical cleaning procedure and full parsing device, thanks to which the nozzle of the gun will always be in good condition and ready for use. To do this, you need a tube, preferably plastic, (can be removed from a disposable tool), wire and the gun itself.

With the help of a wire, it is necessary to hook the tube to the nozzle of the apparatus, and after working with the gun, remove it. For subsequent use of the gun, a new plastic tube is taken. Thus, the tool will always be clean and ready to work.

What to wash?

The mechanical method is quite effective way clean the gun from the mounting foam. However, if the foam has hardened in the barrel cavity, then it will be very problematic to remove it to the last particle. As a result, with each subsequent use, the pressure of the foam will become weaker and weaker, because the sealant will cling to the remaining fractions of the substance. The timely removal of sealant residues will help to solve the problem, and if the situation is running, flushing the equipment.

You can qualitatively wash the gun, observing two important rules: speed and forethought. These moments involve the purchase of a special cleaning product and its quick use. Experts advise buying a cleaning agent of the same brand that produces polyurethane foam, and work only in such a duet.

Having finished applying the sealant, you should immediately start cleaning the tool. Remove the used bottle. If there is still foam left in it, you do not need to throw away the jar - the substance in it will still be for a long time keep your properties.

Flushing the gun takes place according to simple rules:

• The sealant bottle is removed, and a cleaning aerosol bottle is fixed instead.
• I pull the trigger. Liquid will begin to drip from the spout of the device. You need to hold the trigger until the jet is clear - this is the main sign that the flushing agent has managed to dissolve the dried foam.
• The cylinder must be removed and the trigger must be pulled again. If it moves in jerks, it means that it was not possible to wash off all the pollution, and you need to repeat the procedure again.

According to safety rules, during washing, the tool barrel should be directed away from the person so that the cleaning material does not get on his mucous membranes and skin.

The solvent can leave burns on the body, so you need to be extremely careful and attentive when working with it. You can not smoke near the cylinder, store it near the fire, in the sun, open the container. If the substance gets into the mouth, eyes or nose, you should immediately seek help from a doctor.

Aerosol wash can be replaced. If there is no special tool at home, you can use acetone instead. Pour it into the nozzle of the device and clean the gun with an iron wire. It is necessary to rinse slowly so that all parts remain intact and unharmed.

Care rules

The main thing to remember when buying a foam gun is that this type of equipment must be cleaned after each use, without delaying the cleaning procedures.

The main cause of failure of these devices is clogging with hardened foam. A blockage can occur in the following places:

• in the spout of the bottle;
• in the locking ball;
• in the supply valve.

These breakdowns are of the mechanical kind, and in order to eliminate them, it is enough to clean the tool, you should not immediately throw it away. But if sticking has occurred in the barrel of the gun, cleaning will not help, and repairs will not be possible.

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

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

• Teflon models. The gun has metal surfaces that are teflon coated. protective covering. This makes the tool easy to clean.

• plastic models. Suitable for single use only living conditions, so there is no point in cleaning them at the end of the work. This is a cheap and affordable tool that is sold at any hardware store.

Therefore, it will be much more profitable to buy it every time you need to work with mounting foam. With frequent work with sealant, it is recommended to buy metal or Teflon models that already need systematic cleaning.

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

1. mechanical cleaning. It is required to disassemble the tool, carefully and consistently clean all the elements. To carry out the work, flushing compounds (for example, ordinary acetone), a knife, a rag or a sponge are used.
2. Cleaning with the use of a chemical reagent. Cleaning of the tool is carried out by chemical mixtures. It is carried out upon completion of the working process and removal of the can. The method is suitable if the gun was used for a short time.
3. Cleaning without removing the can. The traditional method, which is used with frequent use of the tool and the constant change of spray foam cans due to the consumption of sealant.

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

If the tool is heavily soiled, mechanical and chemical methods cleaning, then you need to consider buying a new gun. Especially if the old tool has been used for more than a few years.

Standard option

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

1. It is required to unscrew and remove everything that is possible. If the tool is expensive, then there must be an instruction for it, which indicates the design features. The main thing is to take care of the threaded connections during disassembly.
2. When disassembling the gun, it is necessary to clean off the sealant from all elements, wiping them dry with a rag.
3. To blow the barrel, it is recommended to use a ramrod (you can make it yourself from metal wire).
4. At the next stage, a flushing composition is poured into the barrel and everything is cleaned with a ramrod. The barrel cleaning process must be repeated until the ramrod moves freely in the barrel. When the mounting foam dries in the barrel, remove it only chemical composition fail.
5. It is very important to completely remove the sealant from the barrel, since during subsequent work the movement of a new portion of consumable material may be difficult.
6. After cleaning the gun, you need to lubricate the joints of the parts and assemble the tool.

If it was not possible to clean the gun in time and remove the mounting foam, then it will dry out. Cleaning with a ramrod will no longer work. In such situations, the trigger mechanism also does not move. If this happens, it is recommended to carefully clean the nozzle, remove all the sealant from it, coat it with a solvent (the barrel must first be lowered). In some cases, after that the trigger will move.

If the trigger mechanism does not move, then it is recommended to do the following:

• There is a small ball in the area where the can of sealant is attached to the tool.
• Solvent must be applied to this ball. This will help clear the check valve if it has been heavily clogged with foam.
• After 20-25 minutes, it is necessary to attach a cylinder with a cleaner to a foam gun and rinse the barrel with it.

Experts recommend stocking up on a bottle of cleaner if you plan to use a gun. Thanks to such foresight, it is possible to quickly clean out all the still not dried mounting foam from the tool, providing it with a long and trouble-free operation.

In case of serious hardening of the mounting foam, it is not recommended to forcefully clean the tool (especially if a Teflon model is used). With rough mechanical cleaning, there is a high probability of damage to individual structural elements.

If, upon completion of the work, the gun is very dirty and it is assumed that the mounting foam has already frozen inside it, then you should not press the trigger mechanism before starting cleaning. Such manipulations can easily break it.

Rules for cleaning the gun from dried mounting foam

If it is supposed to wash the gun from foam, then it is necessary to follow some rules when carrying out cleaning work:

• Upon completion of work, it is necessary to immediately clean the tool barrel from adhering sealant. This can be done with any available tools, but be careful not to damage the control valve.
• The nozzle and valve must be lowered when performing cleaning manipulations. The trigger mechanism must be treated with Dimexide. After 2-3 minutes, you need to lightly press the trigger mechanism. If its fluctuations are noticeable and mounting foam flows from the nozzle, then the tool is ready for further use.
• If nothing happened, then in the area of ​​\u200b\u200battaching the can with sealant you need to find a small ball. It must be treated with Dimexide, then insert a cylinder with flushing liquid and flush. Upon completion of the flushing of the foam gun, you can press the trigger mechanism - everything should work.

If the above methods did not help, then a complete disassembly of the gun is recommended. All parts must be treated with a solvent, dripped into the sockets. After about 10-15 minutes, the remnants of the dried mounting foam will begin to give in, so they can be quickly removed with a rag. After assembling the instrument, it must be treated with a reagent.

This cleaning method is relevant if more than 5-6 hours have passed since the completion of work. The mounting foam hardens during this period, so it will have to be cleaned mechanically.

On video: P rinsing the gun from mounting foam.

Mechanical cleaning of the tool and disassembly is a radical way, but effective. If the mounting foam has frozen inside the gun, then it is unlikely that it will be possible to completely remove it from the tool cavity. Therefore, with each subsequent use, the flow rate of the sealant at the outlet will weaken, as the substance will cling to the solidified residues.

If the sealant has hardened, then it can be cleaned from the hardened mounting foam using the flushing method. In this case, it is necessary to act quickly and prudently. You need to buy a special cleaning compound.

Washing of the instrument is carried out in the following sequence:

1. The sealant can is removed, and a can of cleaning mixture or aerosol is installed in its place.
2. Then you need to press the trigger mechanism - liquid will flow from the tool barrel. It is necessary to hold the trigger until the liquid becomes completely clean (this indicates that the cured sealant has been dissolved).
3. The canister with the cleaning mixture must then be removed and the trigger mechanism pressed again. If the trigger moves in jerks, then this will indicate insufficient cleaning. Therefore, all manipulations must be repeated.

Safety

Regardless of which cleaning compound is used and how the gun is cleaned of mounting foam, during cleaning work, the tool barrel must not be directed towards people or animals. The sealant is under pressure, so there is a possibility of contact with the skin and eyes.

You need to be especially careful when using a solvent to clean the mounting foam. Such compounds are caustic, therefore, if they come into contact with the skin, they can leave serious chemical burns on it.

It is forbidden to clean the tool near an open flame. It is not recommended to smoke in a room where mounting foam is applied or tools are cleaned with solvents.

In case of accidental contact with the solvent and cleaning compounds on the skin, the place should be thoroughly rinsed with running water. In case of contact with mucous membranes, it is strongly recommended to immediately contact a medical facility.

Care rules

It is necessary to clean the gun immediately after use - it is not recommended to delay these manipulations, because after a few hours after completion of work, it will be much more difficult to remove the cured sealant. Guns usually break due to clogging with dried foam. The following areas are most often clogged:

• Locking ball.
• Bottle nose.
• Supply valve.

These are mechanical failures, so to fix them, you need to disassemble the gun and clean it. If the sealant is stuck in the tool barrel, then you will have to use a foam solvent. It perfectly dissolves the dried mounting foam in the gun.

If the gun is not used for a long time, it is recommended to clean it systematically (every few months) for preventive purposes. This will extend the life of the tool.

Craftsmen who constantly use a pistol always keep it clean, because it is too expensive to repair and buy new tools. It is much easier to clean the gun from foam deposits in time.

Any contamination must be removed as soon as the surface treatment is completed. Due to the timeliness of cleaning, the tool can last for several years (especially Teflon models).

The choice of method for cleaning foam will depend on contamination, as well as on how long ago the work was completed. If the work was carried out several tens of minutes ago, then all the foam can be removed quickly with a rag.

How to clean a gun from polyurethane foam (2 videos)

Methods for cleaning a foam gun (15 photos)

In the process of construction and repair work, both professional and home craftsmen use a gun for mounting foam. It allows you to accurately and accurately blow out the seams on a variety of objects. This tool can save the owner a lot of money, as buying a spray can with a special mounting tube will cost more.

To serve for a long time, he needs proper care. Dried material on such equipment can prevent proper blowing into joints and seams. Therefore, every master, even before starting work, should know how to clean the foam gun.

There are several approaches to solving this problem. Which one to choose in each case, prompt the advice of experts. Responsibly referring to the need to maintain the cleanliness of the tool, you can significantly extend its service life.

The need for cleaning

A good foam gun is quite expensive. It pays off during operation 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 service.

Foam remains in the gun after processing. It is not scary 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 harder to remove.

At the same time, inexperienced craftsmen may have a question whether it is necessary to clean the foam gun. Of course, if in the future it is supposed to be used for repairs, this process cannot be avoided. Otherwise, the purchase of the presented instrument simply does not make sense.

For single use, it is better to purchase a balloon with a special applicator. Although even home craftsmen, as experience suggests, use a foam gun more than once. Therefore, it is more beneficial to clean regularly.

Professional installers know the importance of keeping the foam gun clean. They give advice to novice craftsmen using this tool in 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 residence time of the material on the instrument. The faster you wipe off the foam, the less effort you need to spend on it.

Various chemicals are used for cleaning. Experts advise to purchase them immediately together with mounting foam from the same manufacturer. Special tools show better results than universal varieties.

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

The main characteristics of the cleaner

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

Getting acquainted with the technology of how to clean a foam gun, it is necessary to consider the principle of exposure to funds. These are substances of medium toxicity. They are not dangerous to humans, but if they get on the face, mucous membranes can cause irritation. Therefore, if the chemical comes into contact with the skin, it must be washed with plenty of water. In case of accidental contact with the eyes or inside the body, seek immediate medical attention.

In a container, the substance is under pressure. It has high level flammability. Therefore, do not spray it near an open flame or overheat. Compliance with these elementary rules will help to avoid troubles in the course of work.

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 balloon, which was used by the master and no longer contains foam, is twisted out of its socket. In its place is a container with a solvent. Before that, the protective cap must be removed from it.

Then the lever of the tool is pressed several times. Flushing is continued until pieces of mounting material appear in the jet. After that, the agent is removed from the equipment. If there is still some substance left in the bottle, you can screw the protective cap back on and store the cleaner for some more time. If repairs are not planned in the future, the chemical is best disposed of.

If the foam is dry

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

Under no circumstances should you pull the trigger. This is guaranteed to lead to the breakdown of expensive equipment. Instead, it is necessary to scrape 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 reanimate the instrument after carrying out the above actions, you will have to resort to another method.

Cleaning the main valve

If, after the manipulations listed above, the trigger is still not pressed, it means that the foam has hit the main valve. Will need to spend on washing it more strength and time.

How to clean the mounting gun in this case, experts will advise. There is a small ball on the top of the tool, where the balloon is screwed into. It requires a few drops of solvent to be applied to it. Next, you need to wait 10-15 minutes.

The chemical flush bottle is screwed onto the valve and the trigger is pressed. The remains of the dissolved foam should come out of the barrel of the mounting gun. After that, you can continue to work on applying foam to the seams.

But sometimes there are more neglected blockages. In this case, the work becomes much more difficult.

Full flush

If inside 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 balloon is attached. The solvent is introduced into the tool. Moreover, it is also necessary to process the nest of the installation node.

To unwind the equipment more conveniently, you should hold it below the cylinder attachment point. The solvent is inside the system for about 25 minutes. Next, you need to press the ball of the main valve. Clots of dissolved foam come out.

The tool is assembled in the reverse order.

The foam has solidified completely.

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

All parts that can be dismantled are removed from the gun. It is necessary to prepare a wire of the appropriate thickness and acetone. Having poured a few drops of solvent inside and after waiting for a while, small pieces of foam are taken out with a wire.

The action is performed until the wire appears on the other side of the muzzle. Then the gun is assembled and washed with a chemical agent.

Experienced installers say that it is impossible to bring the equipment to such a state. Even after cleaning, the foam will be much heavier.

If the material to be mounted has not yet hardened, the whole procedure will be 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 flush with you during installation work. This will avoid unpleasant consequences and unforeseen costs when the material solidifies inside the tool.

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

Which foam guns can be cleaned

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

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

The most popular pistols - gallery

The metal gun is not only reliable to use, but also easy to clean. It is easy to clean a Teflon gun, 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 tools at home

There are special tools for cleaning the mounting gun. It is better to purchase them together with the tool. Moreover, the manufacturer of the foam and the preparation for its removal must be the same. Otherwise, the procedure for getting rid of building material will be somewhat more difficult and take longer.

After the workflow is finished, do the following:

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

If the bottle of cleaner is not completely used up, close it with a protective cap and save it until the next time.

We comply with safety regulations

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

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

How to remove foam with acetone

If you do not have a special liquid, acetone can be used at home. Pour it into the instrument's nozzle and use a wire or ramrod to thoroughly clean the instrument. You need to act carefully so as not to damage thin and vulnerable parts.

My gun with acetone - video

How to wash hardened foam

If the tool has not been cleaned immediately after use, the trigger must never be pulled before starting cleaning. The trigger mechanism may break. Here's how to properly clean the gun from the hardened polyurethane foam:

1. Clean the barrel of adhering foam. You can use a knife. Be careful not to scratch the piston.
2. Lower the gun with the nozzle down and drip "Dimexide" into the trigger mechanism. After a minute, gently pull the trigger. If it starts to move and foam comes out of the nozzle, then the gun is ready to go. If this does not happen, then you need to proceed to the next stage of cleaning.
3. Next to the device for screwing the balloon is a small ball. Apply a few drops of Dimexide to it. After 5 minutes, attach the cleaner bottle. Gently pull the trigger.
4. If the previous methods do not help, disassemble the tool. Holding it under the socket, carefully unscrew the crown, then remove the valve. Drop a chemical solvent or "Dimexide" into the socket and into all internal parts of the device. After 20 minutes, remove the remaining dirt with a cotton cloth. Then reassemble the gun and flush it with solvent. After such cleaning, the device can give less pressure during operation.

If more than 6 hours have passed since the completion of work, then it is better to carry out a 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 the cleaner and pulling the trigger - this is dangerous.

We clean the tool from dried material - video

Is it possible to do without cleaning the nozzle

The 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 not resort to this procedure and keep the nozzle in its proper form. To do this, you will need a plastic straw used for a disposable instrument.

1. Get your plastic tube, wire, and gun ready.
2. Attach the tube to the nozzle with wire.
3. After using the gun, the tube can be removed, and then a new one can be used.

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 solidifying inside the device. If you clean the tool on time, it will serve you for more than one year.