Foam cleaner: selection and application

Anyone who has ever worked with polyurethane foam sealant, commonly referred to as polyurethane foam, knows how difficult it is to get rid of dried material on hands, clothes and various types of surfaces. Finding a cleaner is not difficult, but it may not always be an effective remedy. First, let's find out why the mounting foam is so hard to wash.

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

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

Purifier according to GOST is a colorless transparent mixture of organic solvents with the addition of a propellant, in other words, a propellant. Suitable for highly efficient removal of residues from polyurethane mounting foam, for washing and cleaning a construction gun, for washing foam from the surface of the skin and clothing. According to the consistency, the cleaners are offered in two formats. The first is homogeneous, without lumps and various kinds of impurities, produced in the format of an aerosol spray. This cleaner format is extremely convenient for quickly getting rid of dirt, while not damaging the surface. The second option is a purifier in the format of a regular liquid. A rag is impregnated in it and the surface is treated.

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

To date, manufacturers produce two types of cleaners:

• a solution that corrodes fresh mounting foam that has not yet had time to harden;
• solution that removes hardened mounting foam.

It is worth noting that the use of a cleaner will not spoil the surface of ceramics or plastics. While using acetone, you risk not only spoiling the aesthetic appearance of the surfaces, but completely dissolving some of them. The use of acetone is acceptable for spot removal and when treating a small contaminated area. In other circumstances, it is more advisable to resort to specialized cleaners.

The positive aspects of a specialized cleaner include some of their properties.

• Chemical compounds and reagents are the main elements in the composition of the cleaner. It is they who contribute to the softening of polyurethane foam sealant. After application, it is quite simply removed, while not harming the appearance of the surface.
• Special attention deserves a cleaner for a construction gun. The fact is that for some time the gun becomes clogged with the remnants of mounting foam and is no longer able to perform its functions. A cleaner and proper care will help to achieve an increase in the service life and the correct application of the sealant.
• At the same time, the construction gun can be used in the work to remove the sealant, the gun will allow you to accurately direct the cleaning agent to the right place.

Trademark Bau Master manufactures a cleaner in a cylinder of five hundred milliliters. It is effective for cleaning uncured sealant from any kind of surface, fabrics and leather. There are two types of cleaner from this brand: Ultima and Hobby. Ultima is used to clean the mortar gun and get rid of freshly applied foam. Hobby is applicable for removing stains from leather and fabrics.

Many manufacturers produce mounting foam complete with a solvent. You may encounter this option in the manufacturer's products. Tytan. The company produces a sealant and solvent for working with such capricious material as plastic. This guarantees to be one hundred percent assured in the quality characteristics of the composition.

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

Among the manufacturers of quality products, one can also distinguish Dali and "Technonikol".

Solvent removal of polyurethane foam sealant is carried out in different ways depending on the contaminated surface, the duration of the foam and its volume. Let's single out the most common circumstances of sealant removal.

• If the mounting foam has contaminated the finished surface, a simple clerical knife must be used to remove it. Try not to smear the foam over the surface, thereby increasing the stain. Treat the remaining area with a cloth or piece of paper with pre-soaked solvent.
• If you find the sealant after some time, and it has hardened, do not wait for it to dry completely. Start uninstalling at the same time.Most likely, the consistency of the mounting foam will still be viscous. Try using a knife or spatula. When the sealant is fully cured, it is recommended to use a cleaner designed for this situation.
• Removing splashes of foam from expensive and decorative surfaces will require your care and attention. On this kind of surface, the application of solvents is prohibited, it will instantly spoil their appearance. It is recommended to apply the cleaner to a soft cloth and clean the surface with light circular motions. Make sure there are no streaks.
• When installing a plastic window, excess sealant falls on the window frame. A specialized napkin, which is already saturated with a solvent, will help get rid of them.

• If during the repair work the mounting foam got on a wooden surface, it will not be difficult to get rid of it. Often, wood products are treated with paints and varnishes, in connection with this, the removal of contaminants is carried out using fine-grained sandpaper. If a large area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe product is dirty, then use a grinder.
• When removing splashes of foam from linoleum, it is recommended to wait a short period of time. When the mounting foam becomes viscous and plastic, you can begin to remove it, while the linoleum will not be damaged.

When working with polyurethane foam sealant, it is necessary to observe some rules that will allow you to avoid difficulties if it gets on unnecessary surfaces:

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

Do a little testing first. To do this, splash a little solvent on a small contaminated area. In this way, you will be able to understand how much volume is needed to remove the foam, and whether you have chosen the right product. Often, an incorrectly selected solvent can ruin the surface. For example, the solvent tends to leave behind unpleasant stains, tarnishing the color shade of the product.

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

• It is practical to wear separate working clothes at the time of repair work. Protect the surface of your hands by wearing thick fabric or rubber gloves.
• Determine in advance the likely perimeter of the ingress of mounting foam. Cover surfaces with waste paper, cardboard, or tape with paper tape.
• If fresh traces of mounting foam appear, do not smear its composition on the surface. Use a knife or spatula. Slowly cut off the top layers of the foam. For the lower layers, use a cleaner.

• Do not attempt to wash off the sealant with water. It is involved as a catalyst to accelerate the curing of the sealant.
• If it comes into contact with clothing, do not wash it. Soap solutions or washing powders will not help in this situation. The same goes for using a knife or scraper.In this situation, it is necessary to spray the cleaner on the contaminated area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe fabric. Set aside for thirty minutes, without exerting any mechanical influences, as the fabric base may be torn or damaged. After softening the foam, remove it using a dry cloth. The procedure is recommended to be repeated if the desired result is not obtained.
• If the cleaner gets on the skin, wash off the remaining foam under a strong stream of water or wipe the skin area with warmed vegetable oil. Then thoroughly rinse the contaminated area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe skin with soapy water, and treat it with a baby cream. If the cleaner gets into your eyes, rinse them thoroughly and consult a doctor.
• If the sealant gets on the hair, in most cases it is not possible to remove the contamination. In this case, you will have to cut off the contaminated areas of the hair.
• It is strictly forbidden to use or store cleaner bottles under the influence of ultraviolet rays or at very high temperatures.

For information on how and how to remove hardened foam, see the following video.