How to clean a blocked foam gun
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- A blocked foam gun can be annoying, especially when you need it for the next job. In this video we have a foam gun that is used specifically for Everbuilds’s dry fix • Pinkgrip dry fix plast...
This foam gun was not used for a few years and when it was used the foam sprayed out everywhere. Here we dismantle the gun, clean it and then reassemble it. Brought to you by www.ultimatehan...
Precise attention to detail, meticulous in content, close up views, clear and concise vocal explanation. The best coaching video ever!
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After rough cleaning, soak all metal parts in acetone (main ingredient in foam cleaner) overnight, wipe remains with paper towel. Should've worked for the spring as well
Great informative video as usual 😌 I use a foam gun and it doesn't block as long as its kept closed, nozzle cleaned after every use. Also keep the can on until it's empty. The main problem area is where the ball bearing gets gunky and foam oozes back like when you first started the clean.
cheechU38K
I think I left this gun too long without using it. The gun had been sat in my garage for well over 12 months without use.
Expanding foam- where would we be without it !
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What I really like about this is that you were totally honest about it not working. As usual this was excellent, so many thanks.
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Haha I was thinking: oh no this is not going to work, fortunately it was clogged in a closed setting. When it happens (half) open he would have had a bad mess.
(Because of the pressure/foam in the system😋)
Soaking in some strong solvent overnight might have been a good idea too, clean off the last remaining bits of residue. Expanding foam is wonderful stuff just hate the clean up afterwards!
Zed Man
One of the best inventions ever ;-)
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🙈 broke it taking it apart, but the second part of your video where the ball bearing allows the new foam canister to pass is where the problem was. Thanks for the video will definitely be using your tips if have this problem with my new one
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That took some cleaning, good job. I must admit I would have been tempted to chuck it away and buy a new one, but they can be a bit pricey, so it's worth a go to give it a new lease of life. Well done mate!
jjab99
Thanks, I'm too tight to buy a new one LOL ;-)
great stuff foam gun
Great video! I also like taking things apart , allowing me to know how things work, cleaning it meticulously, and putting it back together. Bought a can of foam gun cleaner for 5 quid, and works a treat.
It works on cured foam?
I tried foam gun cleaner and it did nothing!
No, was still uncured. Only got a bit left in the can from the last time i used it 2-3 weeks after. I discarded the contents, thinking it may cure if I leave it too long and may not be able to use it again. After watching your video, i know what to do if that happens. Have been watching your videos few years back now and it helps me a lot. Thanks.
@@linestorairata360 Oh, OK. I have used on uncured foam and it works great.
Thanks for watching the videos and the comments ;-)
I always use acetone it's the best cleaning solution saves alot of time.
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A solvent upvc fame cleaner dissolves uncured foam, and is not as strong as some solvents.
+Michael Sloan
Thanks for the info ;-)
Gonna try this! Do you mean the water "coloured" smelly stuff or the cream type?
Good video, I've lost count how many of those guns I've thrown away because of blocking, and as it happens the one I have now is blocked, so I think it's high time to spend a bit of time on fixing it instead of spending more money
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So, found this as I was a having the same issue with my gun.
Only used it once really. Took it apart, everything was clean where the ball bearing and spring /washer were which concerned me. Put everything back together......nothing. Same issue, dunno why maybe I’ve got a duff one. hoping screwfix will replace it. Due to the covid19 lockdowns I had to try to fix it as it was needed.
Screwfix are normally pretty good with things like that.
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Amazing!! I’ve had a blocked gun I was going to throw out but this is exactly the info I was looking for! Thank you
I’m glad you found the video useful
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Bought a gun and Soudal low expansion foam to fill gaps around hardwood windows to old stonework. Didn't use it all so thought it would be ok for the next time - big mistake! A few months passed and the next time gun didn't work - Polyurethane in the part where the spring and ball bearing are housed ( 5:20 in the video) was crystalised rock solid. Spent an hour tring to pick it away as soaking in Acetone didn't soften it at all. Had to get a replacement spring.
Next time i will take the foam tube off at the end of the job, even if it's not empty, bin it or cap it if possible, and screw on the Acetone cleaner cannister to purge the wet foam through the gun completely.
Yeah, foam guns can be a pain- if you are not using them regularly.
At least you fixed yours eventually
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I know this is an older video, but I am wondering if the gun could have been soaked in acetone for a more thorough cleaning. And maybe use "brake cleaner" to spray some of the gunk off.
Yes, that would probably work 👍
Try a £5 spray gun cleaner from screwfix.
Bluetooth
@@ultimatehandyman I've tried acetone UH, it doesn't work.
Thank you for this. Got me out of a sticky (stuck) spot. Back on with the job now.
Good video mate, I'm just going to attack my own sealed up foam gun, when replace with a new cartridge I always clean out the gun with the screw on cleaner and it's been OK, with all the hot weather, and not using as much I think the bit with ball bearing has clogged up so very informative video, so thanks very much, great channel 👍🏻
Good luck with it 😉
Thank you. This brought our whole family back together. Except for the ones still in prison of course.
😂
Try foam gun cleaner spray from screwfix
thankyou! i was afraid to undo all the bolts as i thought is was all factory sealed, but this has saved me 40 quid on buying a new gun. thanks again!
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment
one oterh thing, acetone ("foam gun cleaner") doesnt seem to do much to the old hard foam - several others on this thread have said brake cleaner or petrol - any experience with this?
I've not tried them, but I would imagine they would both work
brake cleaner can degrade many things. I'm going to try this myself
Absolutely awesome. Great detail and explanation. 10 outta 10
Glad it was helpful!
In the US the ones sold commercially are made with cheap components that will ruin when you try to take it apart. I have lost two within a year from each other because everything stripped when I attempted to unscrew them.
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the video shows all I needed to know, but before driving 15 miles each way for a can of cleaner would a spray can of WD40 suffice to check the gun is working after a clean. Ive inherited an old gun gunged up and dont want to spend any more than needed as a diyer I would normally buy the can and nozzle and bin after use as its an infrequent use.
I don’t think that would work. The foam gun cleaner screws onto the foam gun!
CT1 Multi-Solve I'm going to try that today, its amazing stuff. Thanks for your video.
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How does the cleaner help? Does it disolve any uncured foam or anything?
jonnno100
I only used the cleaner to test the gun.
You can use the cleaner to clean the gun when the foam is not cured, but it's a waste of time and money. You are better off just leaving the gun on the cartridge, then swap it over when empty. As long as you use the foam gun every few months it will be fine. I left this a bit too long between uses- hence the blocked gun.
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Thanks to those who mentioned acetone, it worked this time. I'll try petrol too and soak the parts should things get FUBAR altogether.
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Thanks a lot. It seems you've saved my gun and most of all I can continue in installing of door in our house.
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Thanks for the really helpful advice. Worked a treat
Now here's a job I do watching TV! Thanks, I have this on my To Do list too. I found this foam gun in a skip, but I know it will work when cleaned; I have plenty of baby wipes from the twins!!!!! Thanks for the informative video Ultimate Handyman 🐒
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Nail varnish removal wipes will probably be good for uncured foam as the gun foam cleaner is acetone (nail varnish remover), so should clean without sticking to the gooey foam.
Good video but to make the cleaning easier I used evo stick solvent cleaner and soaked the small parts in a small tub for 30 mins works brilliant
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@@ultimatehandyman welcome
Excellent video matey, followed it exactly and my previously condemned gun is now as good as new - Mine was a Screwfix No Nonsense Foam Applicator Gun so saved me £24 for a new one. It looks just like your Everbuild gun so I guess they are the same.
They could well be the exact same gun.
Thanks for the comment ;-)
Really useful video thanks - what socket did you use to undo the central valve? My 13mm socket is too small and 14mm too big!
I can't remember now, but the socket set is metric.
Perhaps yours is a different make of gun?
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Maybe a 13.5mm .........XD lol sorry had to say something Maybe a standard size 1/2 in socket might work
Turns out I have this size too. It’s a 14mm nut that I rounded off because it’s stuck hard.😊 For anyone else in the same situation I solved the problem using a pick with a right angled end to scrape the foam away from the spring and then push the bearing down and free it up
At 8:30 you can just make out '14mm' on his socket. I too have a gun where that nut is between 13 and 14mm (Dearest one from Toolstation). Couldn't get that nut off so made do with poking a screwdriver through the nut hole and pressing the ball a few times. Now working.
Good video. Have slightly different problem. the spring does not shut the trigger so I have to unscrew, remove the spring and punch the pin to shut the gun. Wasted some foam refills. Any ideas ?
It might be time to get a new gun, unless you can get some replacement parts for it.
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Nice video. Congrats. I repaired mine as well but it is leaking. The needle goes well but under pressure the gun is leaking on the front. I did not see in the video when the gaskets were putting back. Is it possible that your gun does not need them ?
Yes, all the guns are different, depending on the manufacturer.
Why didn't you use any foam cleaner during the disassembly?
Foam cleaner is for uncured foam, not cured foam.
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@@ultimatehandyman Acetone then? Wouln't it have been easier and more efficient than scraping the parts?
@@ooltimu I cleaned the gun with what I had available at the time ;-)
Brake cleaner . . . job done
Acetone is the key for cleaning!
Great vid! just stripped mine today, after seeing this.
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Good stuff! This is certainly on my to-do list!
Olly Parry-Jones
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thanks so much! Fixed my gun fine, very happy!
I'm glad the video helped
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What about soaking the smaller parts in a solvent - wouldn't that remove the hardened foam, especially around the spring?
Jo Baecker
Yes, people have suggested petrol.
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Can anyone tell me how long I can leave a can of foam connected to the gun once I've finished using it? I've got to seal behind 9 room thermostats and them I probably won't use the gun for a long time, maybe a year or so. The foam can says never remove a partially used can. Thank you for posting this video, might be a good idea to remove the stuffing gland nut before pulling the needle out in case hard material scratches the gland seal.Kind Regards . . . Andy 29th Jan 2020
There are probably lots of variables, such as the temperature that the gun is stored at etc.
I have always had problems as I can go years without using the gun.
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Thanks
How long did this take in real time? Was it about 20-25 mins. Thanks stay blessed and stay safe 👍🏼
I would imagine it took that long. It's hard to say, as jobs can take 5 times longer when filming them!
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Thank You. Very useful. I'll try to clean my blocked foam gun.
You are welcome
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Where do you get spare parts like the Nylon Bush for the ball bearing
No idea, sorry
What size socket did you use? I've tried a 14mm but just a little to big & 13mm just won't fit!
Not sure, sorry!
Surprise suprise! Look who has an awesome video on it
With over 800 videos, there is one to cover pretty much anything to do with DIY 😂
@@ultimatehandyman 800+ 😳😳
In your opinion what's the best foam gun? I bought so many and they always block or keep foaming after I use them even when I I tighten
+cadillac2003cts This one is ok, it's made by Everbuild. The foam is normally ok for a couple of months before it hardens in this gun (but it is not normal foam). Unless you are using the foam every couple of weeks is probably best to either clean the gun after use with a proprietary foam gun cleaner, or buy tins of foam with the applicator tubes attached.
I can’t push the needle thru. My trigger is busted . I’m using a AMFPRO
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Great vid, as it made me realise they can be cleaned but time is money so Toolstation here I come.
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Great video. I was wondering if it was more cost effective to just clean the gun out when I need it next instead of getting a can of gun cleaner. This video answers my question.
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Thanks, going to give this a go now.
Best of luck with it ;-)
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Big help, thanks.
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Great video
Thanks! 👍
Thank you, I’ll go and get it out the bin....
You are welcome
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Can you just soak it with acetone?
You can try that.
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I got a few of these banging around my garage, all bunged up. Some last years, some weeks. One of these days I'll strip them all. I know about the solvent and recommend it for cleaning fresh (Uncured) foam out. It should be sluiced through the gun before every new can of foam but is there a chemical which dissolves the dry PU foam, anyone, please?
People have suggested petrol in the past, but I have never tried it- yet!
+Ultimate Handyman cellulose thinners
Hello, Where did you get your mole grip from.? Do you have a link to them?
Can't remember where I got them, but they sell similar ones on eBay- bit.ly/35tQAs5
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@@ultimatehandyman thank you Sir
Thanks
Welcome
I must admit , I was expecting more use of solvents when I first saw the state that the gun was in. N.
Neil George
Thanks Neil, Solvents would have probably made the job easier!
great video thanks man
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THANK YOU dude
You are welcome
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Life saver
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Bravo!Thanks.
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment
use acetone!
I wonder if there is some chemical that would dissolve the foam.
He Ka
You can buy a gun cleaner for uncured foam, which is what I used to test the gun.
You can buy foam eater but I have never used it so I don't know if it's any good or not.
Thanks for the comment
Acetone (nail varnish remover) will dissolve PU foam, Polystyrene etc.
Acetone will dissolve all the foam instead of cleaning it mechanically after you have it all apart.
I'll try that at some point 👍
@@ultimatehandyman No it won't, Ive tried using acetone to remove cured foam.
@@robf9562 I agree, acetone won't work on cured foam.
Trouble with mine is that I have a new foam cartridge on mine and it's not working!!! Gonna have to sacrifice this tube I feel..... Gonna be very messy !
As long as the valve is not stuck in, you should only lose a bit- but if the valve is stuck, be prepared for a empty tin!
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Ultimate Handyman thanks so much for your vid! Very helpful. Didn’t lose really anything as the valve was stuck fast and it hadn’t depressed the cartridge valve. Freed up everything and now going fine. Question: do the foam cartilages age, or go out of date, as mine really do not seem to have a lot of “zing” in them?
Also if u soak it in petrol it makes it like new
Mark Oliver
I'll try that next time.
Thanks for the tip ;-)
This is what I'm looking for! So petrol dissolves the dry foam?
@@kevinchamberlain7928 Nobody seems to know for sure they just keep saying try petrol
Thanks Man!😂
The coach screw and plug will definitely work in brick. Not sure about the concrete screws, I have read some marketing material, which says you can use them on bricks, but I’m not sure if that’s a good idea, as you might drill into the hollow part of the brick!
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Why not clean with Aceton?
Christoffer Odden
Will that clear a blocked gun?
Where do you get it?
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Well, the foamgun cleaner is basicly acetone.
But I don't know where you can get it in UK.
I would guess either a hardware store or the pharmacy.
***** he means acetone better known as nail polish remover Boots and Superdrug sell this, in small quanaties.
Christoffer Odden
Thanks ;-)
Ribeirasacra
Thanks ;-)
Nail polish remover, I get it from a £1 shop.
Stephen McKeown
I'll try that when the girlfriend goes out- she has loads of it ;-)
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lol or don’t let it get in that way in the first place
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The labor costs to clean one of these is greater than the cost to make it.
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Not likely.
I have like 3 clogged guns already.......
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Or just buy a can of cleaner!
Foam cleaner does not work on hardened foam.
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Think I would have stripped it down and dropped it into some petrol.
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One night in a acetone will do the trick
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