Spray foam cans & multiple uses

[WastedP]

P.S. Voles can survive in -30c winters!

Especially if you insulate their homes for them!

 

[rst]

I've reused the disposable cans by cleaning the straw and can spout with acetone.  I use the gun now and the large containers.  I always remove the can and clean with the cleaner which is just acetone under pressure and with a lab dispenser of acetone.  I use mine enough that I've taken the gun assembly apart and soaked in pan of acetone on occasion especially needed when using different foam formulations.

 

[ChuckM]

P.S. Voles can survive in -30c winters!

Especially if you insulate their homes for them!

They actually dig tunnels and shelter under the snow as if it's an igloo. They hate the foams because they stick to their teeth if they try to fight their way out.

 

[bobtskutter]

[member=57948]ChuckS[/member] The foam isn't biodegradable, at least the stuff I've used isn't.  Do you worry about having lumps of yellow foam all over your back yard?

 

[ChuckM]

I covered the spots (mostly along the sidewalk) with soil.

 

[eschumac]

I've had great luck with the newer "resuable" disposable foam cans at the box stores. I've kept them around and re-used them months later with no issue. Surprised me to be honest. You have to pick the ones with the weird looking straw.

 

[redsaunas]

I’ve had similar issues with spray foam cans in the past, and it can be so frustrating when the nozzle clogs. What’s worked for me is cleaning the nozzle right after each use with some acetone. It helps prevent the foam from hardening inside the nozzle. I also keep a spare nozzle on hand, just in case the first one gets too clogged. Another tip I learned is to store the can upside down after use, so the foam doesn’t sit in the nozzle and dry out.

 

[Packard]

While you can paint over this stuff, the residue is impossible to clean off.  If you are spraying around a room AC for example, it is best to apply masking tape before spraying.  No amount of scrubbing will remove the residue and solvent that might work, will likely damage the factory paint and plastic on an AC unit.

I used it in hopes of making the install insect-proof.  It seemed to work, but it also brought in a layer of ugly that was not there before.

That A.C. Died.  I stuffed foam into the crevices on the new installation, which I harvested from pipe foam covers.  It is an alternative to consider.  After the foam was installed (pushed in place with a putty knife), I just added caulking. 

I don’t know the pipe foam insulation life expectancy.  It seems OK for now.

Acetone will clean off the spray foam I used.  But it will dissolve some plastics, so not as useful as it might be.