Squirty foam

[Jever]

Hi all,

Not sure where to post this question, so I thought I'd try the general building area first.

My problem is that I have a 750ml tin of 'No Nonsense' expanding foam, which I have used just once and so it's still nearly full. The pipe that fits on the top of the tin is, however, fully caked up with hard foam and I only got one pipe - which means I can't continue to use the tin.

Is there a way of cleaning the used pipes (acetone?) or could I alternatively buy another pipe? Just called Screwfix and they don't sell the pipes on their own.

Proper solution, I guess, is to invest in a gun, but I don't really use the stuff that often.

Would be grateful for any ideas/suggestions

Jever

 

[Tigercubrider]

It's a fiver a tin
Given the time and materials plus a half tin's ability to go off, I'd bin it and buy fresh

 

[tomfe]

Just clean out the pipe with a bit of wire. It should not go off in the tin. Acetone will melt uncured foam but not cured.

 

[John D v2.0]

I used the acetone gun cleaner always before it set in the straw, worked well. But since I got a gun I haven't looked back, as it's a hundred times easier to apply without mess.

 

[Jever]

Hi Guys,

It's only a couple of weeks old, so I thought it was worth salvaging. Cleaned out the old pipe with a bit of copper wire and it's ready to go again. I really don't like using this stuff, but maybe getting a gun is the answer to that.

Thanks for your help

Jever

 

[noseall]

I use this to clean my foam nozzle....

Poker

• noseall
• 29 May 2017

It's a straightened version of one of these......

The one end is left bent and makes a good handle.

 

[Jever]

That looks a bit easier to use than copper wire.

Thanks for the tip, will see if I can get myself one of those.

Jever

 

[noseall]

The new SS housing ties are a wee bit thinner but they are still reasonably strong. I had a couple of the chunky fellas left over from a job that I straightened. I have one in the van and the one above is used to thread the hoodie rope back through my hoodies because I always forget to tie the ends together before depositing them in the laundry basket.

 

[catlad]

I have a metal kebab skewer in the van for the same purpose.

 

[noseall]

We use the Soudal comfort grip stuff. They have a plug that helps keep the nozzle fresh. Next best thing to the proper guns.

 

[Doggit]

Of course, you could by a new can, and make sure you clean out the nozzle after you use it; then it'll work for both cans.

 

[garyo]

But since I got a gun I haven't looked back

Me too. For me, not using the stuff that often is more of a reason to have a gun - much easier to keep a tin on the go without it caking up.

 

[John D v2.0]

Agreed, with the cans I found the usual problem is the valve either blocks inside or gets stuck partly open so the foam gradually comes out.
Once I tried to use the remains of a can as packaging for something I was posting, and it didn't work well.

 

[chappers]

plenty of places to get them online