How to make a foam gun from a ballpoint pen and 9 more tricks when working with polyurethane foam

How to make a foam gun from a ballpoint pen and 9 more tricks when working with polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is not as simple a material as it might seem at first glance. Its scope of use is not limited to filling gaps. Let's look at a couple of useful tips and tricks for using it.

Check the expiration date of the foam


No one thinks that the foam in the cylinder can deteriorate. Its shelf life is 12-18 months. You can check the production date at the bottom of the cylinder. Very often discounted foam in the store has a short remaining shelf life.
Check the expiration date of the foam

Polyurethane foam adheres no worse than adhesive foam


Apply foam to a wooden block

If you need to glue parts, you can use regular foam. It holds together no worse than adhesive foam, it just expands more. When this is not a hindrance, you can use it. If you spread the foam before joining the parts, it will expand less.
We are trying to separate the bars with a chisel

Polyurethane foam as glue

The foam gun can be removed from a full container without any consequences


If a mounting gun is required, but it is installed on unsuitable foam, it can be removed. This must be done with the gun positioned at the top.This way it will be removed without a lot of foam, but only a small amount of gas. The valve of the removed cylinder must then be washed with a remover.
The foam gun can be removed from a full container without any consequences

Foam is washed off with multi-purpose lubricant


If there is no foam remover, multi-purpose lubricant removes it perfectly. Often it is even cheaper, so it is preferable.
Foam is washed off with multi-purpose lubricant

What to do if foam gets on the finishing surface


If foam gets on the finished surface, let it dry for 10 minutes. This way, when you remove it, a smaller stain will remain, which will be easier to erase.
What to do if foam gets on the finishing surface

A foam gun can be made from a ballpoint pen


Ballpoint pen with cap

If you need to foam a couple of small things, then in order not to get the gun dirty, you can make a simplified version of it from a ballpoint pen. To do this, the thread is cut from its body, and a tube cut from the central part of the cap is put on it.
cut off the cap of a ballpoint pen

We connect the cap to the body of the pile

Then a cap from a plastic bottle with a hole is put on the handle.
Drilling a hole in a plastic bottle cap

Insert the handle into the lid

Cut off the cap

Now if you pull a homemade tool onto the cylinder fitting and press the bottle, foam will come out from the tip of the handle.
Ballpoint pen foam gun

Watch the video


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Comments (1)
  1. Yuri Fedorovich
    #1 Yuri Fedorovich Guests 10 January 2021 18:43
    1
    When replacing a wooden window frame with a plastic one, a number of bricks had to be laid. The window installer laid the bricks on foam. The gap left between the bricks also foamed. Installed a window and window sill. The window sashes have not required adjustment for the third year (i.e., there is no subsidence).