Good points. I just wanted to add to make sure you turn the flow control knob tightly off every time you are done with it. And never leave an empty can on it, change it quickly. I leave a can on mine permanently so its always ready to go. Can use a tiny amount then then close the flow control knob off. I have let mine sit for over 6 months with no issues. I only clean it rarely when I don’t have a fresh can to put on. I have only gone though two foam pistols/guns in 15 years. I would never use the normal cans again. Way to much waste.
Comment on expansion foam pistols vs straws
Scipitie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 months ago
Used both a lot in my renovation. I’d never go without pistol again.
A) it helps control the amount way better B) you can just shut it off and use the rest later on without bothering with sealing it airtight. C) better handling and weight distribution
The pistol addresses your main concern. The can stays on the pistol and is good to go even for weeks.
And the cleaning part doesn’t matter to be honest. I spent a few bugs on the cleaning spray (basically alcohol/acetone solution as you’ve guessed) which can be easily sprayed. After use I spray a bit into the opening of the pistol.
I like to have it available in case I fuck something up or want to protect a surface, would even spend the money without the pistol.
The pistol costed like 15 Euro and saved me several hours by now.
The cleaning spray I would get even without a pistol just because it’s so handy to quickly dissolve foam.
MeowWeHaveAProblem@toast.ooo 2 months ago
Scipitie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 months ago
Good additions, thank you!
I’m a bit paranoid and spray a bit of acetone on the tip after use but in theory it should be unnecessary.
Blue_Morpho@lemmy.world 2 months ago
How does the nozzle not clog after you are done? Are you saying with the handle version you can screw on a can and use it every now and then?
If so that would be huge for me. As a home user I need spray foam once every few years and hate needing to buy a new can and throw out the half used old because it’s clogged.
Iconoclast@feddit.uk 2 months ago
The foam gun seals at the very tip of the nozzle. Once you attach a foam bottle, the entire gun effectively becomes part of the pressurized bottle, and you can store it like that for months - but probably not years. However, if you set a reminder a couple times a year and spray some of the foam out from the gun to “freshen it up,” then it should stay in operating condition for the next time you need it.
That said, if you only need it once every few years, there’s probably no reason not to just buy a single-use bottle even if you don’t use all of it.
Scipitie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 months ago
I prevent it but spraying a bit of the acetone into the tip after use.
And the screw is on the Pistole (the wheel at the rear end, looks a bit different on mine than on OPs photo but same principle).
In theory the acetone is not even needed because it has a ball bearing tip that is airtight and that prevents the drying but I never tested the concept.