Foam gun: tips for choosing

Polyurethane foam is very often used in repair work. For high-quality and prompt application of this material, the ideal solution is to use a special gun. Today, construction equipment and tool manufacturers offer a wide variety of sealant guns. If you understand the features of their choice, then you can purchase a high-quality and reliable model for long-term use.

Today, a wide range of tools is presented on the shelves, among which attention is drawn to a gun for working with polyurethane foam. It allows you to easily dispense the required amount of polyurethane sealant to the right places. Polyurethane foam is used to fill seams when installing door frames, windows and window sills, slopes and sills, as well as various cracks and holes. A sealant gun should be at hand for every craftsman.

There are quite a few advantages of a pistol, in comparison with a conventional sealant cylinder.

• Economical consumption. The tool is designed in such a way as to independently dose the outgoing material. This allows you to almost three times reduce the consumption of foam. Even distribution of the product has a positive effect on the quality of the seam.
• Practicality and convenience. The pistol works by pulling the trigger. The mechanism is practical, since the foam comes out in small quantities, filling only the voids. If you only use a can of sealant, it is difficult to handle the high flow of foam. It not only fills in the seams, but also hits objects and walls.

• Ease of work in hard-to-reach places. The narrow tool barrel allows foam to be poured even into hard to reach areas. This is especially true for filling gaps in the ceiling.
• Reuse of the foam canister. The pistol is characterized by the presence of special valves that are responsible for tightness. If the work has already been done, and the sealant remains in the cylinder, then the gun prevents it from hardening, and in the future it can be used again. If you work only with a foam cylinder, then you can throw it away, since the foam quickly solidifies in an open cylinder.

The assembly gun will last a long time if you know its characteristics and how it works. Subject to the basic rules of use, the tool will last much longer. Do not forget that the sealant is unsafe, as it is highly flammable and can cause severe irritation if it comes into contact with open areas of the body or in the eyes.

Before using the gun, you should study how it works:

• First, shake the sealant bottle well, place it vertically on a flat surface and carefully screw the gun onto it, with the tool at the top. When the cylinder is firmly fixed to the gun, it is necessary to turn the structure over. The pistol must be at the bottom, this is its working position. It must be firmly held by the handle.
• First, you need to clean the surface on which the sealant will be sprayed. For better adhesion, it can be slightly moistened. It is advisable to work with the sealant at room temperature.

• To increase the intensity of foam delivery from the gun, you do not need to push the trigger with more force, it is enough to slightly tighten the control screw.The pressure contributes to the rapid release of the material, therefore, you should first prepare the entire space where it is necessary to pour the foam. This will allow you to perform the work efficiently and correctly organize the consumption of the sealant.
• When working with the tool, it is advisable to wear special gloves, overalls and goggles. If you need to remove excess sealant from the surface, then it is strictly forbidden to do it with your hands. For this purpose, you need to have a spatula or at least an ordinary rag on hand.

• To foam a vertical seam, start at the bottom and work your way up. It is this order that will allow you to control the uniform filling of voids with material. When the gun nozzle rises higher, you can immediately see the result of filling the joint. This will allow you to analyze and determine the need for pressure regulation.
• After finishing work, the gun needs to be cleaned. To get rid of caked foam, you should use a solvent. Cleaning the tool after completing the work supplied will extend its service life.

• When working with the gun is stopped even for a few minutes, the cylinder should always be in an upright position. It is worth excluding direct sunlight from hitting it, and also working with it away from open fire.
• If, after completing all the tasks, foam remains in the cylinder, then the gun does not need to be disconnected, since it will keep the foam in a liquid state. To reapply sealant, you will first need to clean the gun nozzle or the tool may break.

Before choosing a specific pistol model, you must first familiarize yourself with its design features.

The product consists of several separate elements:

• Product body. It can be made of plastic or metal. Better quality are metal teflon-coated guns.
• The barrel is an important element of the tool as it is responsible for generating the foam jet. It contains a needle rod.
• The pistol grip should fit comfortably in the hand. A trigger is located on it, which is responsible for adjusting the supply of sealant. By pulling the trigger, the exhaust valve starts to move.

• The nozzle is presented as a tool tip. He is responsible for the amount of sprayed foam. You can use interchangeable nozzles to create the required sealant stream.
• Adapter or reducer. Its task is to secure the foam cylinder, since it is through it that the sealant begins to feed into the tool system. It has a valve that controls the batch feed of the sealant.
• The adjusting screw or retainer is located on the back of the gun. He is responsible for the pressure of the foam entering the tool barrel.

The material from which the gun for polyurethane foam is made plays a very important role in its selection, since the duration of the product's operation depends on it.

Manufacturers use various materials in the manufacture of the assembly gun.

• Low quality plastic. The products are inexpensive and not reusable. They can be called disposable. The plastic tool can only be used for one cylinder of sealant, after which it can simply be thrown away. And the quality of work does not always meet all the requirements if you use such a tool.
• High impact plastic. Products made from this material are in demand, since high-impact plastic is of excellent quality and lightness. Working with such a tool, the hand does not get tired, and the quality of the work performed pleasantly surprises.

• Metal. Quality metal pistols are a classic choice. They are characterized by reliability, ease of use and durability. They can be cleaned and, if necessary, even disassembled.
• Teflon-coated metal. Pistols made from this material are professional and are quite expensive. The uniqueness of Teflon spraying is that the foam does not stick to it very much, so this gun can be easily cleaned after use.

Today, there is a huge selection of high-quality, stylish and durable polyurethane foam guns on sale, but you can also buy fragile tools that can be thrown away immediately after the first use.

To make the right choice, you need to pay attention to several criteria.

• The popularity of the manufacturer and the selected model. It is worth reading the reviews about this product.

• Product design. It is better to choose a model made of metal than plastic. The barrel and valves must be made exclusively of high quality metal, this will extend the life of the product. You should give your choice to a collapsible design. If the tool becomes clogged with foam residues, it can be disassembled for cleaning.
• The quality of the handle and its position in the hand. When working with a pistol, the handle should be comfortable in the hand, not slip.
• Product cost. Cheap tools will not last long, you should focus on middle-price pistols.

Experts advise when buying a gun for mounting fluid immediately in the kit to take a special fluid for cleaning it. After all, the tool needs high-quality cleaning from sealant residues after each use of the product. It is imperative to ask the seller about the warranty for the purchased product so that in the event of a tool malfunction, it can be returned back to the store. And, of course, the complete set with the product should contain instructions for its operation from the manufacturer.

Professional pistols are designed for regular work with sealant. They will help to carry out a huge amount of work. The devices are distinguished by a sturdy case, which is made of excellent quality metal. Some models also have Teflon coating.

All professional models are characterized by convenient access to the inner tube of the instrument to clean the product from dried foam quickly and easily. All types of professional pistols have an excellent sealant cylinder mounting system.

The cost of the product also plays an important role. The minimum price for a professional tool for working with sealant is 800 rubles.

German equipment "All-metal" from the Kraftool brand is a prime example of professional equipment. It is characterized by functionality and reliability, as well as easy cleaning after use. This model is equipped with a removable spout for easy cleaning of the interior.

The mount for the sealant bottle is made of brass, and the tool body itself is made of a copper alloy, which protects against mechanical damage. It is durable. The tightness of the product prevents the sealant from hardening inside, which makes it possible to use a half-empty cylinder in the future.

If we talk about the disadvantages of the pistol, then we can note its great weight. If you use the tool for a long time, then the hand begins to get tired. The product is characterized by a high price, but it fully pays off, since the tool can be used for about seven years.

Professional model Matrix 88669 German production attracts attention with a heavy-duty metal case, covered with a Teflon coating, which prevents the foam from firmly fixing to the internal elements. Cleaning the sealant tube is quick and easy, just like other parts of the tool. After using the gun, it is enough to clean the nose with a special nozzle and wipe it from the outside.

All parts of the model are made of an alloy of metal "tsam", so it is characterized by reliability and durability.The comfortable handle has additional protection against pinching the finger, since there are two stops on it. The thin spout allows you to work even in hard-to-reach places.

The disadvantages of this model include the fact that it must be stored in a separate case. If the Teflon coating is scratched during cleaning, it loses its properties. Some buyers complain about the overpriced model, but very soon the tool pays off.

Model Matequs Super Teflon is one of the most famous Italian-made pistols. The unique design of the tool promotes the formation of flexible foam. The sealant, entering the inside of the tool, expands, which contributes to its plasticity.

The model is equipped with a needle with a diameter of 4 mm, which allows you to cope even with wide seams in just one pass. The design of the product allows you to select an economical supply of sealant, which will allow the installation of five windows with just one foam cylinder.

The ergonomic handle allows you to work with the tool for a long time. It has a nylon coating that resists slipping. The gun can be easily disassembled for cleaning, since all connections are threaded. The parts of the tool are made of high quality metal and coated with a Teflon coating, so the foam does not stick to them very much.

Model Matequs Super Teflon characterized by durability. On the valves there are seals made of high-quality rubber, which are not only responsible for the tightness of the product, but also perfectly withstand contact with the solvent. The tapered nose allows you to fill even hard-to-reach gaps.

This option has a high cost. The instrument must be cleaned carefully so as not to damage the Teflon coating.

If you are making repairs yourself and need to use a sealant to install several doors or windows, then there is no need to buy a professional tool for one-time work. A wide range of amateur pistols is on sale. They are cheaper than the professional options.

An excellent version of the assembly gun for amateurs is the model Stayer Econom German production. It is characterized by strength, since it has a stainless steel sealant supply tube. It cannot be removed for internal cleaning, so solvent rinsing must be used to remove sealant residues. To securely fix the sealant bottle, a threaded grip made of aluminum protrudes. The tool trigger is also aluminum.

To use the tool many times, it is necessary to clean the barrel after each use with a cleaning agent. This will avoid blocking the tube. The sealant supply system is characterized by the presence of a ball valve at the inlet and a needle mechanism at the outlet.

Among the advantages of this model are the reasonable cost, comfortable grip, high-quality aluminum body. The disadvantages of the tool include a non-separable design. The threaded grip is only suitable for some sealant cylinders. If you do not clean the nozzle after work, then after a while the foam will be very difficult to remove from the tube.

The cheapest gun to use sealant is the model Atoll G-116, but it can be used many times if the device is cleaned in time. The pistol has a wide rim in the place where the cylinder is fixed. This allows you to quickly change an empty cylinder to a new one. The presence of a full thread allows you to reliably fix the sealant for further use.

The indisputable advantages of the model Atoll G-116 is convenience and lightness. The body of the instrument is made of aluminum, therefore it is characterized by ease of maintenance.The disadvantages of the tool include the absence of a stop in front of the trigger, which can lead to pinching of the fingers. Continuous use of cleaners over time negatively affects the tightness of the rubber rings located on the valves.

The leading brand of pumping equipment and electrical tools in Russia is Whirlwind company... It manufactures quality foam guns using quality metal. Its products are reusable and can be purchased at an affordable price. The thin barrel allows you to work even in hard-to-reach places. Comfortable handle facilitates long-term work. Reasonable price and excellent quality are successfully combined in the brand's products.

Blast extra light - a model from a Chinese manufacturer, which is in demand despite the fact that all parts are completely made of plastic. The main advantage of this pistol is its lightweight construction. It has a voluminous and comfortable grip, so even for a long time, working with such a gun, the hand does not get tired. This model is equipped with a needle valve that reliably holds the foam.

To adjust the sealant flow, you must turn the bent lever of the tool. Blocking the sealant supply is also carried out using a lever. It needs to be brought into a special groove.

To the disadvantages Blast extra light models the fact that the tool should be cleaned immediately after use, since the cured foam is very difficult to remove from plastic. The presence of a wide retainer allows you to quickly replace the cylinder, but the gun will not last long due to the plastic construction. It is necessary to avoid dropping the pistol, as it breaks immediately from strong mechanical impact.

Today, a wide selection of amateur and professional polyurethane foam guns is on sale. To purchase a quality product, you should pay attention to the popularity of the tool manufacturer. Popular brands have already established themselves as the best manufacturers, and many reviews have already been left on their products.

Rating of the most popular manufacturers of pistols for working with sealant.

• German company Kraftool offers high quality tools that are characterized by versatility and reliability. The tools are made from durable metal. They perfectly regulate foam flow.

• German brand Matrix offers stylish, quality pistols for true professionals. They are made of high quality and durable copper alloy, Teflon spraying makes the tools easy to clean. Precision and convenience are the strengths of this manufacturer's products.
• Company Soudal is a renowned manufacturer of polyurethane aerosol foams and sealants, as well as equipment for professional craftsmen. Its products are represented in 130 countries, and representations in 40 countries. The brand's pistols have metal mechanisms with a high quality Teflon coating.

• German brand Hilti has been a construction equipment manufacturer since 1941. Polyurethane foam guns are some of the best in the world.
• Among the Russian manufacturers of construction equipment, the company deserves attention. "Varangian"... It offers professional sealant guns made of quality Teflon coated metal. Rubberized handles ensure comfortable handling. The light body, proven mechanism and affordable cost made pistols from "Varyag" in demand among amateurs and professionals.

Before using the gun, it is imperative to check for leaks and valve retention.

You can carry out such a check yourself at home:

• You will need a bottle of solvent.
• You need to attach the flush, slightly unscrew the adjusting screw and pull the trigger several times until liquid appears.
• Then disconnect the cylinder and leave the tool for a day.
• Then pull the trigger again. If liquid sprays from the nozzle, this means that the gun is hermetically sealed.

Before using a gun for polyurethane foam, you must carefully read the instructions, which include several important points:

• All threaded connections must be tightened slightly before use, as they may become loosened during transport.
• To check the valves for leaks, you need to fill the gun with cleaning liquid and leave it for a day. If you then pull the trigger and spray liquid, the mechanism works normally.
• Before connecting the cylinder to the gun, you first need to shake it well for several minutes.

• Whenever a cylinder is changed, the gun must be at the top.
• If foam remains in the cylinder after work, the tool can be stored together with the cylinder, but the gun should be located at the top.
• If, after completing construction work, the cylinder remains empty, then it must be removed, the gun must be cleaned and rinsed with a solvent for further storage. It is strictly forbidden to leave the pistol without cleaning, as it will no longer be able to perform its functions.

When working with an assembly gun, you must adhere to the advice of specialists:

• all places that need to be filled with foam must be cleaned of dirt and dust and slightly moistened with water;
• work should be done in warm weather, so that moisture evaporates slowly, the optimum temperature is 20 degrees;
• working with a pistol, the cylinder should always be at the top, otherwise only gas will come out of the tool barrel;
• the seams at the top should be filled with foam when the sealant bottle is still full, after that work must be done from top to bottom. The seams at the bottom are filled in last;
• if the cylinder is half-empty, then the work must be carried out from the middle and gradually move down, and after replacing the cylinder with a new one, blow out the upper seams;
• if it is necessary to work in deep seams or under the ceiling, then a flexible extension cord will help to get into such hard-to-reach places.

When the work is done, you should carry out the operations for the care and cleaning of the tool:

• If the foam cylinder is half empty, then it can be used in the future. You do not need to unscrew the sealant and wash the gun, on the contrary, you should only wipe the nozzle of the tool from the remaining foam with a cloth moistened with acetone or another solvent and put the gun with a cylinder down for storage. In this form, the sealant can be used for five months.

• If the bottle is empty, unscrew it.
• To properly clean the tool, it is worth screwing on the can of solvent. Then pass the liquid through the entire mechanism. This will prevent the foam from drying out inside.
• For external cleaning of the gun, you can use a cloth soaked in acetone.
• If the foam inside the gun has dried up, then you can disassemble it with your own hands and clean the internal parts.

For information on how to choose a gun for polyurethane foam, see the next video.