Great stuff expandable foam - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Mike Finley · 10-11-2006, 06:14 PM

Any tricks to being able to use a can of this stuff more than one time use? What cleans this stuff? Mineral spirits? I know they now make a multi use can, but I've got a few of the regular ones around. So far about all I have found that helps is to blow the straw and the opening of the can with the compressor, but that's still pretty hit and miss.

Peladu · 10-11-2006, 06:25 PM

Clean it from where? Clothes, hands, carpet?

Last time I got some on a finished exterior door and used a
microfiber towel and some dish detergent. But it was still tacky.

TimNJ · 10-11-2006, 06:45 PM

Mike, I use about 4-5 cans a week of that stuff. You can get more than one use if the foam dries in the tip of the straw fast it will still be liquid down below, then snip off the dried end and it will spray out again. As far as cleaning...if it drops on say a tile floor or something like that, the best thing to do is let it completely dry then you can peel it off. The little dry residue left can be rubbed off usually with your hand. If it gets on you or your clothes...forget it. It will eventually wear away

K2 · 10-11-2006, 07:13 PM

ooops

Mike Finley · 10-11-2006, 07:22 PM

You ever get it in your hair? Yow!

wolffhomerepair · 10-11-2006, 07:28 PM

unfortunatly yes. Using it overhead(cheap version homeowner bought) and a glob fell off hitting my hair and falling to my shoulder. Ended up cutting it out of my hair and tossing the shirt.

karma_carpentry · 10-12-2006, 06:02 AM

From Dow Chemical regarding Enerfoam (not sure if it's the same stuff as Great Stuff):

How do I get foam off of my skin?

If the foam has not cured or hardened, use acetone or fingernail polish remover (with acetone). If the foam has hardened, there is no solvent that will remove it. It will not harm your skin and will wear off in several days. To remove cured foam from skin, use a pumice stone (available at most drug stores) and warm, soapy water. Then apply petroleum jelly.

**Double-A** · 10-12-2006, 09:16 AM

PVC primer will clean the straw and the opening to the can just fine. Use the clear stuff, not the purple stuff.

Chris G · 10-12-2006, 04:54 PM

I unscrew the straw and drizzle a little acetone into into it after each use. It will slowly clear the tube. You may have to pour a little in both ends until it you get it clear. Then without drying it, screw it back onto the can. (acetone evaporates really quick anyhow) The small amount of acetone that is left in the straw will trickle into the top nozzle of the can and prevent it from clogging as well. That's worked for me in the past. It won't go forever, but you will get multiple uses.

**Teetorbilt** · 10-12-2006, 05:10 PM

At a few bucks a can, charge it out on the job and throw the unused portion away. I can usually manage to burn an entire can by letting a few small jobs pile up and then doing them all at once.

Nick H · 10-13-2006, 05:12 AM

I'm with you teetor, I use the stuff a lot and think its great but I cant wait to chuck the can in the skip (dumpster?) as soon as possible. Personally I'm like a foam magnet, somehow I always get it on my hands and clothes and then onto everything within a 10 feet radius.

Mike Finley · 10-13-2006, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris G

I unscrew the straw and drizzle a little acetone into into it after each use. It will slowly clear the tube. You may have to pour a little in both ends until it you get it clear. Then without drying it, screw it back onto the can. (acetone evaporates really quick anyhow) The small amount of acetone that is left in the straw will trickle into the top nozzle of the can and prevent it from clogging as well. That's worked for me in the past. It won't go forever, but you will get multiple uses.

Thanks Chris, that's exactly what I was looking for.