How to use a sealant gun?

The sealing gun is an excellent assistant in construction and repair work. It is required in various construction work, both internal and external. The name of this instrument comes from the characteristic feature of its action. In this case, the sealant comes out of the pistol after the trigger is pressed by a person, which determines its resemblance to a weapon. However, it should be understood that such a comparison is not entirely correct. After pulling the trigger, the piston begins to move and squeezes out the sealant.

The sealing mechanism can be classified according to their design features.

In this situation, several types can be distinguished.

• Tubular. The presented models were made for sealing joints with a viscous silicone or acrylic mass. A similar device is equipped with a rod and a cylinder with a void inside. This is where the sealant is poured. As a certain advantage of this mechanism, it is worth highlighting the absence of the need for frequent refills.

• Skeletal modelsdesigned to work with sealant in a standard cartridge. This mechanism is equipped with a rod and stiffeners. The advantage of this product is the ability to only partially use the sealant. It is not necessary to use the entire cartridge at once, but only a certain amount of it can be used.

• Half-hull, which imply the installation of cartridges with a volume of less than 310 milliliters. Their design is very similar to the previous version, but the difference is the absence of a solid frame. It has been replaced with a cartridge stand. This mechanism is very convenient to use, since the composition does not leak during operation.

Sealant guns can be classified according to other criteria as well. If we consider these mechanisms according to the principle of supplying a substance, then several types of pistols can be distinguished.

• Mechanical. These are devices that have a universal design. This mechanism can be used by both professionals and beginners for household use. To squeeze the composition out of the pistol, you must press the rod with a certain effort.

• Pneumatic option. It is usually used when the work does not require a large amount of sealant. In this situation, the composition is fed automatically after lowering the handle.

• Rechargeablethat are commonly used by professional workers. Such models are used in cases where a large amount of work is expected. The pistol functions similarly to the previous version. The difference is the use of the battery in the work.

Even a beginner is capable of using a sealant gun. First, you need to decide how the device in question operates and how to open it. The sealant is squeezed out as a strip after pressure is applied. By controlling his strength, a person can control the amount of the mixture squeezed out. The pressure is generated by the rod, which starts to move after you pull the trigger.

This tool is easy to use.

Beginners should read the instructions step by step before using this mechanism.

• First of all, you need to take care of protective measures. You need to wear gloves, cover objects and surfaces near the working area with film or cloth. This will keep the sealant away from them.
• In the future, it is necessary to prepare everything in order to apply the composition. In this situation, you must be guided by what is written on the back of the cartridge. The only thing that must first be removed from the surface of the previous coating, and this can be done with a sharp knife. To remove crumbs, you can use a brush or vacuum cleaner, while the surface must be degreased.
• It is then important to remove the delimiters.
• Then you need to remove the stem from the device. To do this, press the lever and remove the part. In the vacated space, you need to install the cartridge and make a few small presses on the hook. This will allow the container to adhere tightly to the gun. It is important to note that this instruction is provided for the skeletal view. Other uses of this device differ solely in the way the cartridge is inserted.
• Then you need to make a small hole in the container through which a straight line of sealant will come out. This requires an incision in the existing cone.

The method of using the tubular pistol should be considered separately.

• Initially, you need to create a hole in the pipe with sealant. If you choose material that is packed in bags, then one corner must be cut off as carefully as possible. Otherwise, the mixture will surely leak out.
• It is required to squeeze the sealant into the tool itself, but before that you will need to remove the stem in the same way as described in the previous version.
• Typically, these pistols have several different nozzles in a set, which are characterized by the presence of different types of tips. You should choose a suitable option for work, tighten the cylinder with it. If there is no hole on the tip, you can make it yourself. To do this, you need to take a sharp knife and make an incision at an angle of 45 degrees. Please note that it is necessary to predict the size of the future hole. This is necessary so that, as a result, the seam is of the required diameter. This will make the mixture easier to apply.

If the tool in question was correctly equipped, then there should be no difficulty in using it. If you succeed in putting the cartridge into the device, then halfway has already been passed. All that remains to be done is to slowly pull the trigger and squeeze the mixture onto the desired surface.

There are a few tips to help you get the job done as well as possible.

• If a skeletal or half-body gun is selected, it may take several taps for the sealant to come out of the hole. Remember to press gently to ensure that the product is squeezed out evenly.
• If a model is used that is powered by electricity or a battery, then by pressing the trigger, you can control the intensity of the mixture supply.

• When working with this device for the first time, it is recommended to practice on unobtrusive places or on separate objects. To do the job well, you need to learn a little about how to use the tool.
• If in the process of work it will be necessary to trim any area or add sealant into a narrow gap, then you can do this with your fingers. The only thing is that you need to wet them with soapy water. This will help keep the sealant from sticking to your hands.

• It should be noted that the sealant does not require additional drying. If it is in the fresh air, it will acquire the necessary strength in a few hours.
• As soon as you have finished working with the sealant gun, be sure to rinse the mechanism well under warm soapy water.

• For a beautiful seam, it is best to use masking tape. They need to glue the surface on both sides, leaving only the area that should be covered with sealant free. You will need to remove it immediately after applying the layer.
• To create a beautiful, excellent fillet weld, you must first moisten the sides with soapy water. In advance, you should find a stick made of plastic or wood. On the one hand, it must be cut so that it can be used to set the shape of the seam. This is a very simple and convenient technique, thanks to which you can get a beautiful seam. There is no need to look for special attachments for this, since an ordinary stick will save the situation.

• If you overdo it with the sealant, then you should not worry about this. This situation can be easily remedied. It will be necessary to dry the seam well. A regular hair dryer can help with this. Next, you will need to remove the remnants of the material. This can be done with a stick that was previously soaked in soapy water. It is important to note that with this solution you can remove various contaminants, but you should still try to work as carefully as possible.
• There is a situation when a sealant gun is not available, but it is necessary for the job. In this case, you can use the tools at hand to "knock out" the sealant. This is far from the most convenient option, but it will help save the situation.

Based on the above, it becomes clear that loading and using a sealant gun is not that difficult. All it takes is choosing the right tool, choosing a quality sealant, and some practice on how to prime it quickly.

For how to use a sealant gun, see the next video.