Source
r/Carpentry•
PlaceboJesus

What solvents work best for spray foam? (e.g. "carpenter in a can")

I recently had to use a foam gun that was gunked up to the point that the trigger had only one setting. Full on.

Anyway, a day later and I'm still shaving hardened crap off my fingernails.

This foam was a Hilti product, and the gun cleaner spray was useless for getting the crap off my hands or out of the trigger. Although, it did increase my flow from slow to too fast.

Anyone had any luck cleaning this stuff off skin, surfaces, or clothing?

There must be a solvent that you can soak a gun in to clean one out (like a varsol bath for an LMG).

Posted May 9, 2023, 2:06 PM UTC

019
Sgtspector•

Its with you until it eventually falls with your dead skin cells.

7
PlaceboJesusOP•

I need to learn to moult.

1
Scouts_Honor_sort_of•

Acetone to clean the gun, soap and scrub a dub dub for your fingers.

3
PlaceboJesusOP•

I tried the Hilti nozzle cleaner, gas, WD40, orange grit hand cleaner, regular soap, and even soaked them in dish water.

I'm not sure why I don't have acetone.

2
j_bus•

Brake clean?

2
Eccentrically_loaded•

Friendly reminder, don't wear your prescription glasses when using spray foam. Only abrasion removes cured foam.

2
series_hybrid•

I had this idea, and I haven't tested it yet. Ask the women in your life which hand lotion has the oiliest feel. Goop your hands just before using the foam, and maybe it won't stick to your skin.

2
Ineedanewpancreas•

Nitrile gloves. I will not use foam without gloves on.

2
Ok-Leopard8877•

Just don’t touch the wet foam, no gloves needed then lol

1
phillygeekgirl•

Once it's cured, the only removal method is "mechanical abrasion". I say this as someone who had to basically sand the first 2 layers of skin off of my entire hands the first time I used it.
Before it cures, acetone works like gangbusters. Dip a straightened coat hanger into acetone and then into the gun and it eats right through it.

2
Practical_Anybody899•

Whatever you do, don't buy the can of solvent that screws directly into the gun.

1
ambiguouspeen•

Why?

1
PlaceboJesusOP•

I tried that. It also comes with a normal spray nozzle.

Didn't help at all.

1
Ok-Leopard8877•

If it’s already dried then acetone won’t get it off. No much will. If it’s on your skin just takes time. If your trying to salvage a foam gun don’t bother. Once’s it’s dried in the gun throw it in the bin

2
Practical_Anybody899•

Whatever you do, don't buy the can of solvent that screws directly into the gun.

1
bassboat1•

60 grit and Bactine

1
PlaceboJesusOP•

Bactine? For the raw spot?

1
bassboat1•

ヾ(＾-＾)ノ

2
tradesmen_•

I use 150 grit sand paper and that tends to get 90% of it off the rest will be gone in a week

1