A bazillion... That's a lot! :-) Your comment is greatly appreciated. Thanks for watching. Please subscribe! That is what keeps this channel going. Ron
Ron, I've watched a lot of youtube instructional videos and many of them are very good, but never had a desire to post a comment until now. Thanks for taking the time to create the video and doing job such a good job with it. Two thumbs up!
I almost didn't buy the Great Stuff because I only needed a little and didn't want to waste the money on a full can and having to throw most away. UNTIL I remembered your video (this one). I bought the can used a little as needed then followed your advice here. I have since used small quantities of the can several times and it sits on the shelf ready to use again and again until the gas is gone!! Thank you very much Ron!
Just got thru accidentally making a sheetrock patch worse! Not because of any spray foam but because I pressed against the inside edge too hard as I was placing a sheetrock screw. So, I've re-cut a new patch. This time I only crumbled a 1.5" round hole in the edge. There's nothing behind the hole, so I plan to use the brand-new can of spray foam I bought. It's such a small application that I almost just filled the hole with mud... but that would take a lot of time due to the multiple times I'd have to fill, and let dry. Fill, and let dry. Thanks for your video! Now I can save the remainder of the can for the next gaps I create!
One of the best DIY videos I've seen. Hopefully, you've saved me lots of trouble because you touched on about 3 mistakes I would have made if I hadn't watched this. I'm very grateful to people like you who take the time to pass on this kind of information. I've subscribed and am looking forward to your clear no-nonsense explanations.
Inspiring. Using 2 - 3 different sized screws, I was able to reuse a can last used two years ago. Thank you very much for such a clear and comprehensive explanation
Years of throwing out partially used cans of spray foam because the nozzle was clogged. This video is simple and straightforward. No dramatic music of visual effects. "How to..." as it should be! JC Toronto, ON Canada
This is a really informative video. I've turned the cans upside down in a cup half full of acetone in order to dissolve the cured foam in the nozzle. It worked well enough that I'd have done it again -- until I saw your video. Your screw method is the better way by far. Thanks for making and posting this.
Ron, that last bit about the wife not finding out you were using the kitchen knives as tools means that you are a charter member in good standing of The Real Men's Association. Bless you brother!
It works for husbands too. I use expandable foam all the time for my aquariums and he complains about me using the kitchen knives, but they always come clean with a good scrub. Perhaps I should start a "Real Women's Association" Atka? Hahaha or haven't you figured out yet that women can do the same things as men do? Also, I use the tools around my place far more than my husband does, just for the fact I don't want to hear him complaining if I ask him to fix something around the house. Hahaha Oh boy! Eye roll . . .
@@marthanewsome6375 I always get such a warm feeling whenever I come across anyone, but especially women, who are fully capable of doing all the awesome things my mom and dad taught me when I was young. Using hand and power tools, knowing how to adjust a door, build fences, all that kind of stuff. The amount of Joy I've gotten out of my life by doing things like this myself, it makes me very happy to see that being experienced by other people. Some of the best insulators, drywallers and tapers I ever employed were female, unfortunately not as many as I would like! Currently I drive Caterpillar 797's, and out of the 50 of us, the top five are women. Both in how much oil sands they move with the truck, but also all around quality of employee. Here's hoping we keep moving in this awesome direction
@@browncatwithblurredbackgro2461 hahahaha for real! Feminist movement gone too far! I say this as a gay man…. Sorry gals, women aren’t capable of doing the same things men can do! Stop the narcissism and peddling your liberal media propaganda! It’s just a fact. Doesn’t mean we’re not all equal just as women can do certain things men can’t do…ie. give birth…but you’re probably the same women/people that use the term “birthing person” …. Also your husband complains about you asking him to do man chores?? Sounds like the modern marriage to a feminist “man”, good luck with that!
Thank you. Your tip worked for me. I found that the wooden kitchen skewer worked perfectly to clean the tube and a straight pin worked to poke any dry stuff from the nozzle. I love being able to use the rest of the can on another project.
You give great directions.Thank you for all the tips. Last time I bought this stuff I called the company to ask them how to save it and they said it has a one time use. So I needed it again and looked up your video hoping I could save it and see that now the dispensing straw is different. It is now a red plastic tube with a yellow thing at the end that you"open". It shows that you close it when you're done.That implies to me that it might now be reusable and shouldn't dry up inside the straw but the directions on the can still say "one time use is to be expected" . The nozzle looks like it will make it harder to clean out the straw. I'll find out. Thanks for all the cleaning tips too. I'm "the wife" so I only have myself to get mad at if I mess up an old knife.
Years ago i was able to get a few uses out of a can by cleaning parts also...but your methods seem the best... also good to know about the gas in can ...excellent how to video.
Best video on how to help reuse stored can and make the most of spray expanding foam insulation gap filler. I was very frustrated at not being able to use in can leftover. Thank you. Excellent explanation and tips.
Glad it was helpful! Just be careful and wear safety glasses and gloves. Thanks for watching! Please subscribe. That is what keeps this channel going. Ron
I've been bothered for quite awhile with the cans of unused spray foam becoming seemingly unuseable (I thought) after one use, with messy nozzles, plugged can, etc. But not since I've seen and tried your amazingly simple, practical and money saving tips. Thank you very, very much!!
Excellent tips - Thanks a lot!!! - and I agree with another commenter... it's refreshing to watch a video that's jam packed full of information and doesn't have a 5 minute 'intro' where the subject blathers on and on. Good Job!
GREAT INFO, THANKS! Love your videos, they 'speak' to me clearly without all the nonsense so many other RUclips videos have in them. To 56nine: While acetone will clear out the foam, it will also most likely eat the nozzle and valve. (Acetone and plastic don't play well together:-) There are exceptions where certain plastics would hold up, but not many.
Precise and to the point. Thank you! Its silly i see no instructions on can for reuse, when the whole bottle is full. I was thinking i bet there is some genius who figured out how to make a nozzle (in case y threw the old one out and youre stuck in a blizzard and cant leave so you're remodeling your life away) 😅 if anyone sees this and is that genious, plz help a sister out .. but this video was extremely helpful thank you!!
Go to eBay and search for "great stuff foam nozzles" and you will find a bunch of replacement nozzles for the "original" style cans. Note: I have a video on the newer style nozzles as well. :-)
Here's an easier and safer method that works for me every time. Immediately after dispensing the foam, remove the tube from the can and clean off all the excess uncured foam from the can nozzle and the tube. Next, with an eyedropper, drip some acetone into the nozzle until all the foam dissolves. Do the same with the tube until the foam is all dissolved. To finish cleaning the tube I make a "spitball" out of a bit of paper towel, shove it in one end of the tube and blow it through using compressed air. For those who don't have a compressor, a pipe cleaner may work. This method is safe and works every single time for me. The manufacturers will never share this tip with you because they are greedy and want you to buy more product. They don't care about waste.
I've always done this, but now, i'm going to try Ron's method. Here's why. I'm finding the nozzle itself is getting stuck. I don't know why, but it makes sense(as Ron showed)if there is NO foam in the nozzle at all, it can't get stuck. So, to make sure you and anyone that doesn't do this knows, i know, I've done exactly what E.Plumbus does, exactly, and i have a couple of brand new cans i can't get foam out of. It appears, to me, that the nozzle itself is somehow frozen. I was finally able to break one, not ideal, but hey, i needed a dab of foam. BTW, this stuff is great as a glue. I don't know it's long term holding power, but it sure works well. Also, if you are careful, you can scoop it up, and re-apply w a putty knife. I know, i know, it doesn't 'expand' as well, but it works well enough in certain situations.
Hi, I am the wife of Bruce (the name on this reply). I used the acetone/dropper method and it worked great! I felt more comfortable using this method than putting a screw into the top of an aerosol can. Tip: Put some acetone on a paper towel after you are finished with everything to clean up anything the diluted foam touched. If possible, clean it all outside over paper. Thanks for the help!
As everyone knows, this stuff expands, often more than one anticipates, and my know-it-all construction buddy likes to try to shape it like caulking when this happens, WHILE IT'S WET, which is a mistake, and it only takes 2-3 weeks for the stuff to wear off of his fingers! I put masking tape on surfaces like window edges that I want to protect before spraying it. Resist the temptation to touch it if it grows too big - as it often will. Let it dry, then trim it neatly, and use the trimmings to fill the underfilled sections.
Ron, thanks very much for the helpful and thorough video. I had a small job to do with the foam and thought I needed to throw away the can after I was finished. I asked my husband what the best way to dispose of it would be and he said, "Just hold onto it for now." I argued with him but eventually put the can on the shelf and today thought I would ask him to pick up a new can on the way home... then I thought to look up if the spray foam could be salvaged. Thanks for saving us some money!
I don't usually leave comments but this video is jammed pack with excellent information! DJ GaFFLe's comment is dead on. will be checking out your other videos, thanks again, awesome job!
Thanks for your advice. I have tossed a many partially used cans of foam. I put off projects until accumulate enough of them to use up a can of foam, hopefully. Thanks again.
I'm just about to seal a long run of buckled flashing with Great Stuff foam, and I was dreading the waste of money on the famously non-reusable cans. I strongly suspect that your VERY detailed, thorough video is going to save the day. Many thanks!
A word of caution about using this foam around door or window frames or anything flimsy (?? buckled flashing) as the foam can generate a good deal of pressure as it expands and cures causing distortion. A low expansion foam or caulking may be better... but I have no idea what you are trying to accomplish. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the heads-up Ron. Explaining exactly where I'll be applying the foam would have taken a couple of sentences, so I took what I now realize was an ill-advised "shortcut" by calling it "buckled flashing." In fact, the aluminum is backed by half-inch plywood, ring-nailed on 6" centers. Nonetheless, my past experience has demonstrated just the high pressures you warned me about, so I'll be careful about how much I put into the gap.
Helpful video… I've also found success with simply pushing a wooden skewer or wire ( like an insulation put up wire) into the straw immediately after use. I leave the straw connected to the can, skewer and set aside. If careful when removing, one can have success with this, if not the straw can break off at it connection point…The cured foam typically pulls out clean from the straw and the can can be reused… :)
I like it, straight to the tips and tricks, No nonsense, no bullshit, you sir have my thanks and respect for talking the time to make a video with just what's needed, no more, no less.
I used small plastic tubing to get the foam into areas overhead where the can was hitting the ceiling. The gas pressure in the can is relatively low and the extended tubing creates enough backpressure where the foam comes out very slow and when the can is half empty it nearly stops altogether. Therefore the tubing extension cannot be very long. A clamp where the tubing goes onto the nozzle nipple is also a good idea. Safety goggles, old clothes and gloves again absolutely necessary.
it seems silly these tips are so common sense yet i didn't think of any of them in the past! Thank you for the video! hope to be spending alot less now on wasted 1/2 half cans!
Excellent! And thanks for showing the flame test. In 1975 someone got a flame too close to similar foam at the Brown's Ferry nuke plant and the resulting fire followed the cable trays and took out many of the connections between the control panel and all the various actuators, pumps and valves and meters. They barely scrammed the reactor and I don't recall if they ever got it going again. So your reminder is good that while this stuff is a great insulator, it is not so great in event of a fire.
I used nail polish remover to clean the nozzle after i used it, and then cleaned the white nozzle with a wooden skewer. hopefully next time i use it it works
Nice to know this. I hate when half of a can has to be tossed. I had left the nozzle on the can last time by accident and was able to reuse it because of that. Thanks for sharing this !
Great video. I also found about 1cc of acetone tipped into the can nozzle dissolves the liquid foam and cleans it up ready for next use. Same with foam that's still not set in the tube, where it can be gently squeezed through.
This video is full of useful and correct information. When I was working I had occasion to use spray foam frequently and utilized similar tips as provided here. Now I am going to go look at some of the other videos from this tuber.
Extraordinarily interesting presentation and explanation. Excellent speaking skills. Clear, concise, well paced. Immediately subscribed, a no brainer. With a plumbing background in our family it made me wonder if you could squirt this into a water pipe with a slow leak in an emergency. Thanks Ron, well done.
I find that an old hacksaw blade with a sharpened point or tip to plunge into the foam and then make a cut works very well. I also made a handle for the blade. Great video-good tips!
To all the guy's out there, you can stop by A Goodwill Store and in the housewares section they have bin's of steak knives that you can buy for sometimes A dime apiece. All that's wrong with them is the remains of spray foam on them!!
Use break pad cleaner or carburetor cleaner as mentioned below. It works great for cleaning the nozzles etc! It'll go a long way. You don't need the screw. less worry of puncturing the seal and spraying all over; limiting the danger of spraying your face. Protect your Eyes!!!
Thumbs up for "wash it, dry it, put it back in the kitchen drawer, and your wife will be none the wiser." :D BTW, I've made a note bring my own knife to dinner at your house.
nicely done! I always regret opening a can of great stuff when I know I only have a little to do... Now I won't stress too much knowing I can clean these out!
Thank you Ronald. Been working with expandable foam for a while, but felt I always had to use all the can in one go. This just shows you hat you can save some for later. Going to save me a lot of money. Also, wondering if I'm the only women to comment? After all, I'm the son my father never had. Hahaha
It's a little hard to use RUclips's new analytics... but it was showing approximately 6% of my viewers were women and a number of them have commented on my channel. I would think you will find other topics on my channel of interest. Thanks for watching. Please subscribe… that is what keep this channel going. Ron
i clean the nozzle and tube with card cleaner right after use.. works great.. i've use the same can 5 or 6 times for little foam applications..clean it with card cleaner stored it for weeks and started right back up..
I didn't know it would cure in the nozzle when I used my first can (though I did wonder when I started using it) so I was incredibly disappointed when I had to throw the can away. This video is great! Will definitely try
Maybe you have covered this in another video but I've also found spraying the surfaces and the foam with a light mist of water helps it stick and expand further
Wash the nozzle tube and the can's valve with acetone immediately after the job is done. Acetone dissolves the fresh foam very well. With practice you can get away with using only an ounce or so of acetone. Shake the can well every time you pick it up to use it. No "low gas" problems for me.
I always keep a can of the foam spray gun around for clean up of this foam it’s about 6 bucks a can but worth its weight in gold. Awesome video by the way
Water (humidity) is what triggers polyurethane foam to cure, just like polyurethane wood glue. On a hot dry day spraying (misting) water into the application area will accelerate the cure. Prior to being cured it is a sticky mess. If left to fully cure it will come off fairly cleanly.
Great video. I'd been tinkering around with various ways of clearing the tube and sealing the nozzle between uses, without much success. You've shown me what I was doing wrong!
This is a great video for people I just did the exact same thing.but in my case the pressure in the can lost a little bit of pressure that didn't work real well but what you just did absolutely works for sure great video thumbs up
Great video. I've always peeled the moist foam off immediately after use, then rinsed the nozzle in hot water to clean it, and had to wait, do it again, wait... etc. This is better.
Idiot. These foam cans are $3.00. Even if you use it once and throw it away it’s better than blowing $50 on a pro gun. It’s like paying $20,000 for solar panels to save $20 electric. The return of investment will be when you’re 183 years old 💀
@@stevewilson7857 God you're an asshole. It doesn't even matter if you're right (the cans are MORE than $3.00 not sure where you got that price so you might not even be right), you're just being a complete dick about it.
This is similar to what I do with silicone / caulking / sealant! When done (take the tube out of the caulk gun if it's that kind) stick a fine thread screw down the nozzle! Then when ready to use the rest of the tube, just use pliers to rip out the screw!
I looked on the can for "Shake Well" instructions and found none. My (new) can was about four years old and the foam came out like molasses. I threw away about 3/4 of the can but after seeing this video I'm going to retrieve from garbage and try to salvage. Thanks!
I just clean the stray and can tip with carb cleaner. Insert the carb cleaner straw in to the foam straw and spray it out. Give the can tip a quick spray and then insert a piece of wire into the foam straw. Works every time and only takes a second
Good video, straight to the point. I have been doing this for years and watched this to see if I may learn something new. I didn't (not being rude) but I really like Your style and great information. Absolutely respect common sense, best regards.
I dunno about in the USA but in Canada they just changed the design so you can't do this anymore. they made the straw thinner so a bamboo skewer is too tight and gets jammed, they fused the straw to the nozzle so it cant be removed, and the tip of the can has also been changed, the neck is too narrow to accept most screws and it's flared at the bottom so the solidified foam can't be pulled out. what bastards.
THIS is why i love RUclips. Good people giving the best advise of their lives.
Thanks for watching... and your kind comment!
Please subscribe!
That is what keeps this channel going.
Ron
Best Youyuber for info on Great Stuff even now in 2023!
Thanks!
Glad you think so! Thanks for watching.
Ron
Sir, I’ve seen a bazillion RUclips videos. This is far and away one of the most helpful. Please accept my sincere gratitude.
A bazillion... That's a lot! :-)
Your comment is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for watching. Please subscribe!
That is what keeps this channel going.
Ron
Ron, I've watched a lot of youtube instructional videos and many of them are very good, but never had a desire to post a comment until now. Thanks for taking the time to create the video and doing job such a good job with it. Two thumbs up!
I almost didn't buy the Great Stuff because I only needed a little and didn't want to waste the money on a full can and having to throw most away. UNTIL I remembered your video (this one). I bought the can used a little as needed then followed your advice here. I have since used small quantities of the can several times and it sits on the shelf ready to use again and again until the gas is gone!!
Thank you very much Ron!
Just got thru accidentally making a sheetrock patch worse! Not because of any spray foam but because I pressed against the inside edge too hard as I was placing a sheetrock screw. So, I've re-cut a new patch. This time I only crumbled a 1.5" round hole in the edge. There's nothing behind the hole, so I plan to use the brand-new can of spray foam I bought. It's such a small application that I almost just filled the hole with mud... but that would take a lot of time due to the multiple times I'd have to fill, and let dry. Fill, and let dry. Thanks for your video! Now I can save the remainder of the can for the next gaps I create!
One of the best DIY videos I've seen. Hopefully, you've saved me lots of trouble because you touched on about 3 mistakes I would have made if I hadn't watched this.
I'm very grateful to people like you who take the time to pass on this kind of information. I've subscribed and am looking forward to your clear no-nonsense explanations.
Well thanks for watching Debi, and subscribing! Ron
Excellent advice and so helpful! I still have a bit of gorilla foam left and now know I can still use the rest🤝
Inspiring. Using 2 - 3 different sized screws, I was able to reuse a can last used two years ago. Thank you very much for such a clear and comprehensive explanation
Years of throwing out partially used cans of spray foam because the nozzle was clogged. This video is simple and straightforward. No dramatic music of visual effects. "How to..." as it should be!
JC
Toronto, ON Canada
Anyone who plans to use PU Foam SHOULD watch this video first. Very informative. Thanks for creating this video.
Thanks for watching and for your comment. Please subscribe!
That is what keeps this channel going.
Ron
It's not repetitious, but this is dense information, no music, no dance. Time well spent learning useful information. 👍👍👍
This is a really informative video. I've turned the cans upside down in a cup half full of acetone in order to dissolve the cured foam in the nozzle. It worked well enough that I'd have done it again -- until I saw your video. Your screw method is the better way by far. Thanks for making and posting this.
Ron, that last bit about the wife not finding out you were using the kitchen knives as tools means that you are a charter member in good standing of The Real Men's Association. Bless you brother!
It works for husbands too. I use expandable foam all the time for my aquariums and he complains about me using the kitchen knives, but they always come clean with a good scrub. Perhaps I should start a "Real Women's Association" Atka? Hahaha or haven't you figured out yet that women can do the same things as men do? Also, I use the tools around my place far more than my husband does, just for the fact I don't want to hear him complaining if I ask him to fix something around the house. Hahaha Oh boy! Eye roll . . .
@@marthanewsome6375 Just what I was thinking!!!
@@marthanewsome6375 I always get such a warm feeling whenever I come across anyone, but especially women, who are fully capable of doing all the awesome things my mom and dad taught me when I was young. Using hand and power tools, knowing how to adjust a door, build fences, all that kind of stuff. The amount of Joy I've gotten out of my life by doing things like this myself, it makes me very happy to see that being experienced by other people.
Some of the best insulators, drywallers and tapers I ever employed were female, unfortunately not as many as I would like!
Currently I drive Caterpillar 797's, and out of the 50 of us, the top five are women. Both in how much oil sands they move with the truck, but also all around quality of employee.
Here's hoping we keep moving in this awesome direction
@@browncatwithblurredbackgro2461 hahahaha for real! Feminist movement gone too far! I say this as a gay man…. Sorry gals, women aren’t capable of doing the same things men can do! Stop the narcissism and peddling your liberal media propaganda! It’s just a fact. Doesn’t mean we’re not all equal just as women can do certain things men can’t do…ie. give birth…but you’re probably the same women/people that use the term “birthing person” …. Also your husband complains about you asking him to do man chores?? Sounds like the modern marriage to a feminist “man”, good luck with that!
Thank you. Your tip worked for me. I found that the wooden kitchen skewer worked perfectly to clean the tube and a straight pin worked to poke any dry stuff from the nozzle. I love being able to use the rest of the can on another project.
You give great directions.Thank you for all the tips. Last time I bought this stuff I called the company to ask them how to save it and they said it has a one time use. So I needed it again and looked up your video hoping I could save it and see that now the dispensing straw is different. It is now a red plastic tube with a yellow thing at the end that you"open". It shows that you close it when you're done.That implies to me that it might now be reusable and shouldn't dry up inside the straw but the directions on the can still say "one time use is to be expected" . The nozzle looks like it will make it harder to clean out the straw. I'll find out. Thanks for all the cleaning tips too. I'm "the wife" so I only have myself to get mad at if I mess up an old knife.
Mate, you're what's known in Australia as a 'legend'. Extremely helpful vid.
Years ago i was able to get a few uses out of a can by cleaning parts also...but your methods seem the best... also good to know about the gas in can ...excellent how to video.
Fantastic information...I just used all your advice and all my can's are empty now and nothing left to waste...Thank you so much!
Best video on how to help reuse stored can and make the most of spray expanding foam insulation gap filler. I was very frustrated at not being able to use in can leftover.
Thank you.
Excellent explanation and tips.
Glad it was helpful! Just be careful and wear safety glasses and gloves.
Thanks for watching! Please subscribe.
That is what keeps this channel going.
Ron
When spraying foam under radiators to fill gap in baseboard use a drinking straw with some tape to extend the application nozzle
I've been bothered for quite awhile with the cans of unused spray foam becoming seemingly unuseable (I thought) after one use, with messy nozzles, plugged can, etc. But not since I've seen and tried your amazingly simple, practical and money saving tips. Thank you very, very much!!
Thanks for figuring out a solution to a problem which has plagued all of us Great Stuff users!
Excellent tips - Thanks a lot!!! -
and I agree with another commenter... it's refreshing to watch a video that's jam packed full of information and doesn't have a 5 minute 'intro' where the subject blathers on and on. Good Job!
GREAT INFO, THANKS! Love your videos, they 'speak' to me clearly without all the nonsense so many other RUclips videos have in them.
To 56nine: While acetone will clear out the foam, it will also most likely eat the nozzle and valve. (Acetone and plastic don't play well together:-)
There are exceptions where certain plastics would hold up, but not many.
Precise and to the point. Thank you! Its silly i see no instructions on can for reuse, when the whole bottle is full. I was thinking i bet there is some genius who figured out how to make a nozzle (in case y threw the old one out and youre stuck in a blizzard and cant leave so you're remodeling your life away) 😅 if anyone sees this and is that genious, plz help a sister out .. but this video was extremely helpful thank you!!
Go to eBay and search for "great stuff foam nozzles" and you will find a bunch of replacement nozzles for the "original" style cans.
Note: I have a video on the newer style nozzles as well. :-)
Here's an easier and safer method that works for me every time. Immediately after dispensing the foam, remove the tube from the can and clean off all the excess uncured foam from the can nozzle and the tube. Next, with an eyedropper, drip some acetone into the nozzle until all the foam dissolves. Do the same with the tube until the foam is all dissolved. To finish cleaning the tube I make a "spitball" out of a bit of paper towel, shove it in one end of the tube and blow it through using compressed air. For those who don't have a compressor, a pipe cleaner may work. This method is safe and works every single time for me. The manufacturers will never share this tip with you because they are greedy and want you to buy more product. They don't care about waste.
I've always done this, but now, i'm going to try Ron's method. Here's why. I'm finding the nozzle itself is getting stuck. I don't know why, but it makes sense(as Ron showed)if there is NO foam in the nozzle at all, it can't get stuck. So, to make sure you and anyone that doesn't do this knows, i know, I've done exactly what E.Plumbus does, exactly, and i have a couple of brand new cans i can't get foam out of. It appears, to me, that the nozzle itself is somehow frozen. I was finally able to break one, not ideal, but hey, i needed a dab of foam. BTW, this stuff is great as a glue. I don't know it's long term holding power, but it sure works well. Also, if you are careful, you can scoop it up, and re-apply w a putty knife. I know, i know, it doesn't 'expand' as well, but it works well enough in certain situations.
Hi, I am the wife of Bruce (the name on this reply). I used the acetone/dropper method and it worked great! I felt more comfortable using this method than putting a screw into the top of an aerosol can. Tip: Put some acetone on a paper towel after you are finished with everything to clean up anything the diluted foam touched. If possible, clean it all outside over paper. Thanks for the help!
As everyone knows, this stuff expands, often more than one anticipates, and my know-it-all construction buddy likes to try to shape it like caulking when this happens, WHILE IT'S WET, which is a mistake, and it only takes 2-3 weeks for the stuff to wear off of his fingers! I put masking tape on surfaces like window edges that I want to protect before spraying it. Resist the temptation to touch it if it grows too big - as it often will. Let it dry, then trim it neatly, and use the trimmings to fill the underfilled sections.
simple tricks that can save you money and make you more efficient.....Great video , Ron !
Thanks Ron. I am giving this one the "thumbs up".
Ron, thanks very much for the helpful and thorough video. I had a small job to do with the foam and thought I needed to throw away the can after I was finished. I asked my husband what the best way to dispose of it would be and he said, "Just hold onto it for now." I argued with him but eventually put the can on the shelf and today thought I would ask him to pick up a new can on the way home... then I thought to look up if the spray foam could be salvaged. Thanks for saving us some money!
I don't usually leave comments but this video is jammed pack with excellent information! DJ GaFFLe's comment is dead on. will be checking out your other videos, thanks again, awesome job!
Thanks for your advice. I have tossed a many partially used cans of foam. I put off projects until accumulate enough of them to use up a can of foam, hopefully. Thanks again.
I'm just about to seal a long run of buckled flashing with Great Stuff foam, and I was dreading the waste of money on the famously non-reusable cans. I strongly suspect that your VERY detailed, thorough video is going to save the day. Many thanks!
A word of caution about using this foam around door or window frames or anything flimsy (?? buckled flashing) as the foam can generate a good deal of pressure as it expands and cures causing distortion. A low expansion foam or caulking may be better... but I have no idea what you are trying to accomplish.
Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the heads-up Ron. Explaining exactly where I'll be applying the foam would have taken a couple of sentences, so I took what I now realize was an ill-advised "shortcut" by calling it "buckled flashing." In fact, the aluminum is backed by half-inch plywood, ring-nailed on 6" centers. Nonetheless, my past experience has demonstrated just the high pressures you warned me about, so I'll be careful about how much I put into the gap.
Thanks Ron. I am using foam this weekend on a small job. Great to know I can reuse with these tricks.
Helpful video… I've also found success with simply pushing a wooden skewer or wire ( like an insulation put up wire) into the straw immediately after use. I leave the straw connected to the can, skewer and set aside. If careful when removing, one can have success with this, if not the straw can break off at it connection point…The cured foam typically pulls out clean from the straw and the can can be reused… :)
Excellent post! Now I don’t feel like I wasted my money. Thank you very much!
I like it, straight to the tips and tricks, No nonsense, no bullshit, you sir have my thanks and respect for talking the time to make a video with just what's needed, no more, no less.
Thanks for the comment. Much appreciated!
Please Subscribe. That is what keeps this channel running.
Ron
I used small plastic tubing to get the foam into areas overhead where the can was hitting the ceiling. The gas pressure in the can is relatively low and the extended tubing creates enough backpressure where the foam comes out very slow and when the can is half empty it nearly stops altogether. Therefore the tubing extension cannot be very long. A clamp where the tubing goes onto the nozzle nipple is also a good idea. Safety goggles, old clothes and gloves again absolutely necessary.
it seems silly these tips are so common sense yet i didn't think of any of them in the past! Thank you for the video! hope to be spending alot less now on wasted 1/2 half cans!
Excellent! And thanks for showing the flame test. In 1975 someone got a flame too close to similar foam at the Brown's Ferry nuke plant and the resulting fire followed the cable trays and took out many of the connections between the control panel and all the various actuators, pumps and valves and meters. They barely scrammed the reactor and I don't recall if they ever got it going again. So your reminder is good that while this stuff is a great insulator, it is not so great in event of a fire.
I used nail polish remover to clean the nozzle after i used it, and then cleaned the white nozzle with a wooden skewer. hopefully next time i use it it works
I tried your idea just today. Worked like a charm!!! Save me $$ !! Thanks !!
Nice to know this. I hate when half of a can has to be tossed. I had left the nozzle on the can last time by accident and was able to reuse it because of that. Thanks for sharing this !
Great video. I also found about 1cc of acetone tipped into the can nozzle dissolves the liquid foam and cleans it up ready for next use. Same with foam that's still not set in the tube, where it can be gently squeezed through.
This video is full of useful and correct information. When I was working I had occasion to use spray foam frequently and utilized similar tips as provided here. Now I am going to go look at some of the other videos from this tuber.
Good tips, good presentation. I started cleaning tips last year. Less waste.
Another great tip Ron.
That stuff is a pain in the butt; but no more !
Thanks again.
Extraordinarily interesting presentation and explanation. Excellent speaking skills. Clear, concise, well paced.
Immediately subscribed, a no brainer.
With a plumbing background in our family it made me wonder if you could squirt this into a water pipe with a slow leak in an emergency. Thanks Ron, well done.
I find that an old hacksaw blade with a sharpened point or tip to plunge into the foam and then make a cut works very well. I also made a handle for the blade. Great video-good tips!
To all the guy's out there, you can stop by A Goodwill Store and in the housewares section they have bin's of steak knives that you can buy for sometimes A dime apiece. All that's wrong with them is the remains of spray foam on them!!
Funny! :-)
Use break pad cleaner or carburetor cleaner as mentioned below. It works great for cleaning the nozzles etc! It'll go a long way. You don't need the screw. less worry of puncturing the seal and spraying all over; limiting the danger of spraying your face. Protect your Eyes!!!
Thumbs up for "wash it, dry it, put it back in the kitchen drawer, and your wife will be none the wiser." :D
BTW, I've made a note bring my own knife to dinner at your house.
I thought it was the best part of the video! LMAO!
nicely done! I always regret opening a can of great stuff when I know I only have a little to do... Now I won't stress too much knowing I can clean these out!
You are the macguyver I grew up watching and wanting to be. Thank you
Thank you Ronald. Been working with expandable foam for a while, but felt I always had to use all the can in one go. This just shows you hat you can save some for later. Going to save me a lot of money. Also, wondering if I'm the only women to comment? After all, I'm the son my father never had. Hahaha
It's a little hard to use RUclips's new analytics... but it was showing approximately 6% of my viewers were women and a number of them have commented on my channel. I would think you will find other topics on my channel of interest. Thanks for watching. Please subscribe… that is what keep this channel going. Ron
Thanks for the tips! I was able to reuse a half full can of Great Stuff after watching this.
Good video. It definitely fills the information void the manufacturers of these products have left.
i clean the nozzle and tube with card cleaner right after use.. works great.. i've use the same can 5 or 6 times for little foam applications..clean it with card cleaner stored it for weeks and started right back up..
SOME REAL HANDY TIPS THANKS A LOT AND KEEP EM COMING.................
Thank you so much. I'm on a budget and buying more of this because the foam drys is difficult.
Thank you again!
I didn't know it would cure in the nozzle when I used my first can (though I did wonder when I started using it) so I was incredibly disappointed when I had to throw the can away. This video is great! Will definitely try
Good tips, was not expecting to see so much more information on working with the foam. Very informative. Thanks.
this is a good one. a real assessment of great stuff. re-using, cutting, cleaning, why the gas is important, when it's most effective.
Great info, Thanks for posting
Awesome video!! Thank you for not dragging it out!!!
Maybe you have covered this in another video but I've also found spraying the surfaces and the foam with a light mist of water helps it stick and expand further
Such a helpful video considering the price of these cans. Thanks for sharing!
Wash the nozzle tube and the can's valve with acetone immediately after the job is done. Acetone dissolves the fresh foam very well. With practice you can get away with using only an ounce or so of acetone. Shake the can well every time you pick it up to use it. No "low gas" problems for me.
I will try that! I have used WD-40 to clean everything and I have gotten 4 - 5 uses out of a can.
I always keep a can of the foam spray gun around for clean up of this foam it’s about 6 bucks a can but worth its weight in gold. Awesome video by the way
Water (humidity) is what triggers polyurethane foam to cure, just like polyurethane wood glue. On a hot dry day spraying (misting) water into the application area will accelerate the cure. Prior to being cured it is a sticky mess. If left to fully cure it will come off fairly cleanly.
Great video. I'd been tinkering around with various ways of clearing the tube and sealing the nozzle between uses, without much success. You've shown me what I was doing wrong!
i love all the extra bits about how and why things work. oh and i totally understand the wife comment.
Thank you... glad you liked it.
Please subscribe!
That is what keeps this channel going.
Ron
I've thrown many half full cans of this stuff. I'll be trying this method (and those in the comments) for sure. Great video. Thanks.
Extremely helpful video. Thanks!
Great instruction. Thank you for your time and effort to make this video and share knowledge with us. Greetings from Croatia.
You are welcome! Thank you for your comment. Ron
This is a great video for people I just did the exact same thing.but in my case the pressure in the can lost a little bit of pressure that didn't work real well but what you just did absolutely works for sure great video thumbs up
Didn't think to use a screw to clear the nozzle, but it worked flawlessly! Thank you
Glad you liked it.
Thanks for watching!
Ron
Very valuable information. Worth keeping in mind. Thank you so much!
I almost threw out a full can a contractor left. Thanks to you I sealed up my shower stall, pipes, floor, etc.
Wow! Great tips. I'm ready to go now with confidence. Thanks a million.
Great video. I've always peeled the moist foam off immediately after use, then rinsed the nozzle in hot water to clean it, and had to wait, do it again, wait... etc. This is better.
Fantastic video. Thank you for posting!
Thank you...I'm getting ready to use this and only need a small amount for my project. ThIs is very helpful .Thanks again 😃👍🏽
This helped me today. The screw trick to clean the nozzle works!
immedietly after use, if you use laquer thinner in a squirt bottle you can rinse the nozzle,can dispenser and clean up your tools. Works great for me!
Thanks Ron. I had to laugh "just wash the knife, dry it, and put it in the kitchen drawer. The wife will be none the wiser". What great wisdom :-)
*Still* one of the best videos on RUclips. Right on, Ron Swanson. (Oh wait -- that's just the voice. Welllllllll.)
Its $47.00 on Amazon for the pro gun, it really works and prevents waste, I've put over 100 cans thru mine.
Thanks for the tip
Idiot. These foam cans are $3.00. Even if you use it once and throw it away it’s better than blowing $50 on a pro gun. It’s like paying $20,000 for solar panels to save $20 electric. The return of investment will be when you’re 183 years old 💀
@@stevewilson7857 God you're an asshole. It doesn't even matter if you're right (the cans are MORE than $3.00 not sure where you got that price so you might not even be right), you're just being a complete dick about it.
This is similar to what I do with silicone / caulking / sealant! When done (take the tube out of the caulk gun if it's that kind) stick a fine thread screw down the nozzle! Then when ready to use the rest of the tube, just use pliers to rip out the screw!
Really helpful video! This stuff is not cheap and I only needed a bit to do some small home fixes. Now I don't have to throw the rest away. Thanks!
Well done! Very clever and well presented. Thanks! You've motivated us!!!
Excellent video, Ron.
I looked on the can for "Shake Well" instructions and found none. My (new) can was about four years old and the foam came out like molasses. I threw away about 3/4 of the can but after seeing this video I'm going to retrieve from garbage and try to salvage. Thanks!
Nice job I use about 500 cans a year you nailed the tips
I just clean the stray and can tip with carb cleaner. Insert the carb cleaner straw in to the foam straw and spray it out. Give the can tip a quick spray and then insert a piece of wire into the foam straw. Works every time and only takes a second
Good video, straight to the point. I have been doing this for years and watched this to see if I may learn something new. I didn't (not being rude) but I really like Your style and great information. Absolutely respect common sense, best regards.
Great tips, I just tossed a can yesterday that was stopped up but nearly full. Time to dig it out of the trash and see if it can be salvaged.
Excellent video-torial! I can't wait to start using this foam for making sculptures
and dioramas! THAAAAANKS!
I dunno about in the USA but in Canada they just changed the design so you can't do this anymore. they made the straw thinner so a bamboo skewer is too tight and gets jammed, they fused the straw to the nozzle so it cant be removed, and the tip of the can has also been changed, the neck is too narrow to accept most screws and it's flared at the bottom so the solidified foam can't be pulled out. what bastards.
I was recently able to use all of Ron's tips with a can of Great Stuff that I bought @ Canadian Tire.
I agree with you, they are bastards, but try the above, I use it too, sometimes they work, it is wort the try anyway, Good luck
Re-designed to make you go out and buy another!
rust blade v
I love seeing how to do stuff like this - reuse rather than waste. Thanks