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There's a Better Way Video Tips

Foam-Gun-Tip Cleaner

You could just let the foam cure at the tip and then shave it off with a utility knife, but there’s a better way.

By Fine Homebuilding Editors

Pro-style spray-foam guns allow you to dial in the size of the spray-foam bead, and you can reuse the can of foam again and again. The trouble is, you’re often going to end up with a big blob of foam on the tip of the gun, which can interfere with the nozzle. You could just let the foam cure and then shave it off with a utility knife, but there’s a better way. Anthony Nitopi of Sandy Hook, Conn., decided that the best way was to clean off the foam before it cured. He could’ve used acetone and a rag, but he didn’t want to drag those around the job site with him. He remembered that the principle ingredient of nail polish remover is acetone, and he recalled seeing his mom use a special jar of nail polish remover that has a foam insert that soaks up all the acetone. Just like a finger, you can slide the tip of the foam gun into the acetone-soaked foam insert and clean all the uncured foam from the tip of the gun.

For more information on foam guns, browse the following links:

  • Load a Foam Gun the Right Way
  • Are More-Expensive Foam Guns Better?
  • Make Your Foam Gun Last
  • You Don’t Know Foam

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  1. Vo | Aug 22, 2016 01:54pm | #1

    As usual, that's a great tip! Can you mention the manufacturer of the nail polish remover jar, can't say that I've seen it here in Canada.
    Thanks

  2. Davidstock1 | Aug 22, 2016 04:34pm | #2

    What about all the foam still caught in the chamber?

  3. SeanLinster | Aug 22, 2016 10:54pm | #3

    Great stuff has a product designed for cleaning spray foam. You can buy it off the shelf at any hardware store. It can be sprayed on the gun or screwed to the gun and sprayed though it. Works great, I always have a can in my truck.

    http://m.homedepot.com/p/GREAT-STUFF-PRO-12-oz-Gun-Cleaner-259205/100550708

  4. metamerman | Sep 09, 2016 03:31pm | #4

    @Davidstock1, the valve is actually at the tip, so no worries about the foam still in the gun body (at least for months). But I don't understand this tip: You're supposed to put a bit of tubing (most commonly clear vinyl) on the tips of these guns (that's what the barbs are there for). When the foam hardens, just pull the tubing off and all the hardened foam comes off with it, ready for installing a new pieces of tubing. How much tubing? I usually use about 4", but it can be shorter if you're working fast and don't want it to flex, or much longer if you need to use your other hand to get the tubing into tighter places than the gun will fit into.

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