Why Use an Expanding Foam Applicator Gun?

In today's video I will be explaining why I've now switched from a hand held, to a foam applicator gun when spraying expanding foam.
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Today's Toolkit
Everbuild GFAPP45 Medium Duty Metal Expanding Foam Applicator Gun geni.us/tpLdA (Amazon)
Everbuild Gun Grade Expanding Foam bit.ly/2WJHeiM £5.37
Constructra Foam Pro bit.ly/2JgsTqY £10.01
PU Foam Cleaner 500ml geni.us/koCh (Amazon)
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or there's the cheaper foam
Gun Grade foam bit.ly/2WJHeiM £5.37
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LET'S CONNECT!
Charlie DIYte
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[@03Dalee]

I remembered this video and opted to buy the gun today. It's brilliant. So easy and no mess at all. Also the amount of control, like you say is great

[@jimwesselman]

It also helps to put some Vaseline around the cans’ opening, screws on and seals better. Recommended by Great Stuff.

[@peterhurst]

I bought a gun 20 years ago at the recommendation of the guy supplying my double glazing. Much more control over the flow and placement of foam and much easier to clean. Occasionally for quick jobs I've used the small cans but it's saved me loads on bigger jobs, not just in foam but also cleaning up and quality of the jobs

[@johnbell7552]

Fabulous, thanks Charlie 👍 As a retired plumber I’ve always used one of those plastic, throw away, jobs but not anymore 👌

[@huberthubbard1465]

Hi, I use the Screwfix No Nonsense version.....and the thing that I like about the applicator gun, which you didn't mention, is the fact that by adjusting the black knob on the gun, you can control the flow rate of the foam, therefore saving more wastage. It basically works just like a tap/faucet on a bath or sink, to control the speed/flow of the water. You can slow it down to just a dribble or open it up all the way for the full flow. The controllability is absolutely excellent.

[@CharlieDIYte]

That is a great point that I hadn't thought of! Massive thanks for the comment.

[@johnduerden]

I was going to say same thing. Makes it much more controllable

[@fieldsofomagh]

Looks the bee's knees !!. Even for the diyer, it's a must. So clean and so reusable. Thanks for the info.

[@Trevor_Austin]

After my experience following your advice on how to apply silicone I subscribed to your channel. Like Skill builder you are a cut well above average because you are prepared to put in the effort to do things properly. I’ve seen “professionals” at work. They use rip saws as axes, screwdrivers as chisels, measure angles with a thumb and paint using self sanding/priming/undercoating/sanding/top coating paint applied with a manky, never cleaned brush. I only employ builders and tradesmen who have pride in their work or do things myself. So thanks for your videos and you’ve sold me on the idea a foam gun. Many thanks.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Can't thank you enough for that Trevor! I spend a fair amount of time on building sites in the day job and my small team and I often marvel at the corner cutting that goes on. As you say, it's a bit of a generalisation as there are some great builders out there, but the point is that a DIYer can hold his or her own if they do the research, and their trump card is that it's their own place so they care about the finished result, as you say. Definitely get a foam gun - it's been a game changer for me. Just make sure that after the weekend or whenever you're using it, you clean it out. I left mine a week and it did get a bit gunged up. Thanks again - comments like yours are what keep me fuelled up to make these vids!

[@mikes6844]

These have just got me out of so many awkward situations as to be untrue. When fitting Kingspan type insulation boards I go round the edges to ensure a good seal. Top vid Charlie thanks for posting 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@CharlieDIYte]

Cheers Mike - really appreciate that!!

[@phrogge]

Great advice thanks Charlie. This makes so much more sense, and is a lot easier to control. Cleaning is a breeze with the correct cleaner.

[@MrBrianDuga]

Great vid! I have had some success pushing a bamboo skewer down the plastic straw. Usually lasts about a week or two before the can seizes up.

[@coldfinger459sub0]

I bought One several years ago it was the best investment time saving money saving product for expandable foam. When time is money and ease-of-use and clean up hands-down I would never go back to the old disposable little plastic tip foam cans.

[@DjGiluk]

Excellent video, thanks Charlie. Purchased all this kit today and I’m impressed after trying the disposable ones previously 👍🏻👍🏻

[@reaperrac190]

My experience via the US Great Stuff version is it is pretty much a wash once your purchase the applicator gun. The Great stuff gun is about $59, but you can occasionally find a coupon to get the gun for free with the purchase of 3 or so cans of foam. I like the applicator gun because it is neater in the application without the excess mess.

[@stevedavis2541]

Charlie you are the gift that keeps giving. Great video. I have had this issue for years and never known about the foam gun applicator.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Ah Steve, that's great to hear - thanks so much. Yes you'll love the gun. So much control over the output of foam. Only thing I'd say is get a couple of cans of the acetone cleaner as you will want to clean out the gun if you're not using it for a week or so, as it can get a bit clogged up. 👍

[@terrryforrrd2012]

Hi Charlie, another magic video - you rise above the rest by giving totally practical advice plus details of specific tools required -- thanks Terry

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks so much Terry. So glad you found it useful and really appreciate the comment. 🙏👊

[@garethheathcote4988]

I've had the same hilti disk fun for six years now, it is in as good a condition as it was on the day that I bought it and I hadn't cleaned it like that once. You don't need to, just leave your tin of foam on the gun even if it is empty, the pressure inside the can will stop it from going off in the nozzle. When you come to use the gun you just use a Stanley jl knife to clean up the end and then spray away. 👍🙂

[@r.d.1991]

Thanks for this. Never had to use expanding foam as yet but definitely useful stuff. Cheers! 👍

[@davidpearce1934]

That was very interesting because I’m actually going to be needing to use some expanding foam shortly and I might well go down this route after watching this video. As usual. Thoroughly enjoyable to watch.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Cheers David! Reading the other comments it's really interesting - you basically don't have to take the gun off the can until it's empty - just lock the valve off between uses.

[@roaddirtmotorcycleadventur1836]

Great video, I just bought one today myself for all the reasons you mentioned, can’t go wrong cheers for making the vid.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Cheers mate - you won't regret it!

[@les6556]

Great video. Thanks for the tips. Getting ready to air seal my attic and this will come in handy.

[@kurttallon]

Just so you know Charlie, the gun cleaner is exactly the same as brake cleaner. I've tried it to clean the outside of the nozzle and can valve, and it's perfect!

[@mmarja42]

Acetone is the main ingredient

[@javashak]

This is a timely video having bought a gun and about to use it. I wondered how long I could leave the can attached and also about cleaning. All questions answered - thanks. Another great video!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Yes, and people are saying you can leave the can on the gun until it's empty. Just lock the valve off between uses.

[@jackieking2007]

That was very helpful. Thank you Charlie.

[@frank6356]

Great video, as always. Never apreciated what a foam gun could do better over the throwaway platic applicator versions, thanks for the info, will definitely consider one, I'm a tool junkie!

[@RuntyWilson]

For the disposables- Carb cleaner will flush the foam out (the acetone breaks the foam down). A quick spritz in the nozzle on the can keeps that clean. Never tried it on dried foam but after an application prior to setting works a treat. But I would definitely consider geting the gun next time I'm working on a bunch of fills.

[@Wellard83]

Helpful and informative as always. Cheers, Charlie

[@sabanakincay9685]

Great video and well presented, thanks for rhe heads up , good job !

[@Lyndalewinder]

Great video - always have used disposables in the past but will try a gun now - thanks for posting!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Andrew!

[@garvielloken3929]

Charlie bro! You don't understand how much your channel has helped me!!! Just bought my own house recently.Your channel has more or less got a video - and in depth one at that - on more or lesseverything i need. Much appreciated and much love!!!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Garviel, buddy, really appreciate all your comments. It's sometimes a bit of a lonely path to tread this YT malarky - with all the filming and editing, and particularly at the moment with viewers and advertising down because of the cost of living crisis etc, so your encouragement is so valuable mate. Really chuffed you find my vids useful - maybe come and join us on Patreon - there's a very cool Discord chat forum that I'm on every day and we have a monthly live chat too 🙏👊

[@garvielloken3929]

@@CharlieDIYte I'm already on the BMAC. shall i change it to patreon?

[@leggdad1]

Thanks again Charlie, for another great video! You are the 'go to' channel on DIY.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks - I really appreciate that - and generally your support through watching my vids. Humbled you find them useful 👊🏻

[@nexusseven3665]

Thank you, Sir

[@JasonJudge]

Just bought one on your recommendation, and you are absolutely right: no contest. I'm filling the gap behind old skirting, and used up a disposable foam on less then a metre of skirting, with loads of waste, little control, too much to cut off, too much falling off. The control with the application gun is amazing, allowing me to build it up layer by layer, with no waste, and one can just keeps going with no cleaning. Thank you!

[@JasonJudge]

I bought a "No Nonsense" brand, and it seems identical to yours, really well made. The knob is great for not only locking the handle, but also sets the maximum rate, so you can set that for a consistent flow.

[@CharlieDIYte]

@@JasonJudge Thanks for that Jason! They're great aren't they. Just wish I had bitten the bullet and bought one earlier! One tip though. If you're not using it for a week is a good idea to clean it out as mine got a bit clogged up/ trigger a bit stiff when I left it for a week or so. Yes the control point is a good one and something I should have mentioned in the vid.

[@zahidshafi4925]

Great expansion and video thank you

[@fredbloggs509]

Watched your video, bought one, used it, video is spot on.

[@CharlieDIYte]

That's great news, Fred. Only thing I find is you do need to clean it out when you're not using it for a while, so make sure you've got some of that acetone spray.

[@shadow-Sun]

Another great video Charlie , as diverse as ever but ALWAYS useful thanks a lot

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks mate - appreciate the comment!

[@mowman7777]

Great review, thanks.

[@ensignj3242]

Wow thanks. I saw the gun at Lowe’s recently. I’m going to get one now. Also, I didn’t know about spraying water first and after.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Only need to spray after with some foams. I've never seen this before except with this foam, but most foams recommend you spray before, to assist with the curing process.

[@fabiandee8178]

useful tip. The place you put it in the example I would probably have left as is as it looked quite nice!

[@munsters2]

Good advice. Thank you.

[@christofix]

the gun costs a little more but if you use a lot of this foam the higher price repaid very quickly. I have been using a gun for years even when I need very little foam. very well explained video, i'm sure you will help a lot of people with this

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks mate! I hope so.

[@christofix]

@@CharlieDIYte you are welcome, great video!

[@MarkLawsonY3K]

thanks for the video, especially appreciate the cost info.

[@CharlieDIYte]

You're welcome Mark. They're great these guns. Make the job so much cleaner but you do need to clean them out when you're not using them for a few days. Dead easy though with that spray

[@md.sinclair7112]

Thanks good job it works great

[@AuntMaude]

I remember storing a used can of hand-held in the garage for months, until I got so fed up looking at it and just threw it away. Could tell by shaking that it was about 80% full, but of course completely useless. Broke my heart! Subsequently bought an applicator gun on eBay, similar looking to yours, for about £7, and have used it many times. Just like to add that it's worth buying an all metal one, which can be stripped apart and cleaned mechanically if ever necessary. Like your videos, especially without annoying "music"!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks - good point! Yes, sorry about the cheesy music. I don't know what I was thinking!!

[@davidcooke3081]

I just bought an applicator gun, a couple of cans of foam and a can of cleaner last week but will only get to use them this week so your tips on using the gun will come in handy. I had heard that a lot of users do not remove a can of foam once they start using it but instead leave it attached to the applicator but they always spray clean the applicator tip with a few sprays of cleaning fluid and a cloth. I used to use the disposable tins with the plastic applicator and a tip I got was that when you remove the applicator from the can and there is a small amount of foam at the top of the can get a matchstick, wet the end of it , not the end you light, and shove it gently all the way down into the little bit of foam. Then just let the foam harden and set . When you wish to use the foam again just pull on the match and it removes a "plug" of old solid foam from the can and you can use the rest of the can. This tip did work probably 2 out of every 3 cans but not every time and because of that I am now going the gun applicator route. Another reason I want an applicator gun is to give control on the size of bead by rotating the knurled screw on the handle to adjust this. Thanks again

[@CharlieDIYte]

Hi David. You'll love the enhanced control you get with the gun. My advice would be not to leave the van on the gun if it's for more than a couple of days, because the foam can gunge up the gun and mature the trigger a bit sticky. It pays to take it off, clean out the gun with the acetone spray and then it's good for next time. Obviously if you were using it every day in the trade, you wouldn't need to do this.

[@johngrannan]

Thanks Charlie. The foam cleaner is also brilliant for cleaning tools used with two-part epoxy filler such as Ronseal High Performance Wood Filler

[@javashak]

Good tip, thanks

[@johnturner4400]

Don’t use the cleaner on soft impact edgings. Took me ages to remake the unit!

[@tsb4u30]

You can also use WD40 to clean your gun as Well

[@tsb4u30]

If you run out of foam cleaner you can WD40... plus you can get more out of your can of foam just put the can in warm water befor use..

[@CommentsAllowed]

3:50 It is recommended to not remove a half used canister from the gun. Leaving it on keep any foam from getting exposed to air so it will not cure. Something I had learned by getting a Foam Gun is that the foam will not cure without air. This video does show it is possible to detach and re-attach a used canister a week later. Thank you for showing us!

[@CommentsAllowed]

As another side note related to air exposure. This is also probably why you are not suppose to use the foam in closed cavities. It won't cure. (Or it could take a very long time)

[@dubhead11]

Really enjoy watching your videos!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks mate!

[@jamesholmes4256]

Brilliant vid Thanks for your help

[@Rockshow2oo8]

Very nice tutorial, thank you!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks 👊

[@alialias3913]

thanks

[@bryanbufton9264]

Good video thanks

[@chippywelsh9040]

Gosh that was so incredibly useful! Thank you 😊

[@therealderekchurch]

Solid, very helpful, Thanks a lot

[@rayc1503]

I always leave a pressurized can attached to the gun. After I'm finished just close the rear adjustment valve and spray the nozzle with gun grade cleaner. A quick wipe off with a paper towel and it's ready for use whenever needed. O yeah, it helps putting a little silicone grease on the valve of the can and around the thread pre-application of each new can. Straws can also be cleaned with gun grade cleaner as long as you don't leave the foam to cure. Just spray straight through and tilt it horizontally. Watch the spray eat through the foam.

[@MrBarrytommy]

Way to go thanks for info cheers

[@scroogemonster]

Hi Charlie, I got one of those for exactly the reason stated. It galled me to use 1 or 2 squirts out of the can of and then have to chuck it away next day 'coz the nozzles solidified!! I got mine on eBay for about £12, including a can of foam & cleaner as well. Bargain! Love the vids

[@voodoomotion5855]

Great video! We used these to do our loft conversion and will never go back to simple cans. They provide far better control and the ability to fill tight gaps. The only time i struggle is when the gap is near ceiling and you cant easily keep the can upright enough. I found you can get away with leaving the can on the gun for a long time provided you occasionally spray a bit out (into a plastic bag) and clean the tip. Thoroughly the gun if you don't intend to use it for a while and they're fine, well worth the price even with 'inflation'! 😂

[@CharlieDIYte]

I agree. I do find though it's worth cleaning though out if you're not using it for more than a week.

[@Corruptedworld33]

The knob on the rear also helps you control how much come out depending if you want a thin or thick bead

[@WebBasedPayroll]

Acetone cleans the tubes very well, and put couple drops in top of can and drain out

[@Ronbo765]

Great info!

[@joeygunzilla6878]

THANKS for the video! 😎✌🏻 I clean the plastic straws with brake cleaner and reuse them as many times as needed it works out GREAT! although I will purchase the gun soon as it's more professional and much sturdier then the plastic straws. I doubt I'll purchase the cleaner since brake cleaner is drastically cheaper and works perfectly, in fact I think it's the same stuff (pressurized acetone) for half the price. ✌🏻🍻 Cheers from NYC

[@chrisroyle4813]

Great advice.

[@mitchellrobertson1222]

Thanks for the video! Looks like you have more control with the gun when compared to the throw away can.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Yes you do. Buy a non-stick gun though. That way you don't need to take it off the can and clean it until the can is empty.

[@mitchellrobertson1222]

@@CharlieDIYte thanks for that appreciate it 👍

[@variousrants]

Cheers for the video mate. Helped me make a decision on the gun. Deffo buying one! Subscribed

[@CharlieDIYte]

You won't look back. Thanks for the sub, really appreciate it 👊

[@johnmusgrave3179]

Excellent video - thank you for making it. I have bought the same brand gun cleaner locally for £4.50 which is the same price as 750ml of Soudal gun grade foam but in another shop I was able to buy 700ml of foam for the gun for £2.99 and it works really well. I will never go back to the single use type!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Good work John. You just have to clean it out when you don't intend to use it for as few weeks as I found mine clogged up otherwise.

[@johnmusgrave3179]

@@CharlieDIYte Yes, but I have a little bit of experience you wouldn't want to duplicate - not that you'd be so stupid but mistakes will happen! I thought the gun had to be cleaned after every use (which resulted in an unusable but nearly full can of foam going into the bin). I sprayed cleaner through the gun, unscrewed the can of cleaner and put everything away over night. Next day I thought I saw a blockage on the gun nozzle, then saw it wasn't foam..... part of the gun? Only one way to find out was to operate the trigger and so I shot myself in tbe face with a blast of gun cleaner which was still under full pressure from the day before. Luckily I wear glasses but it could have been much nastier. ALWAYS pull the trigger one more time after removing the can of solvent!!!

[@johnspradling7906]

Very fine video. Thank you!

[@CharlieDIYte]

You're welcome. Thanks John!

[@leeholke9851]

Great. I always used to get plastic ones. Now I'll get gun

[@CharlieDIYte]

Yep, and if you read the other comments, you basically don't have to take the gun off the can until it's empty.

[@nickm9134]

Gordon Ramsey has expanded to household DYI! Nice! 🤣

[@tammy6856]

INR!

[@robertbrowne4049]

You also have much more control over the actual application process.

[@nocode1603]

Just the information I was looking for 👍

[@CharlieDIYte]

Get a non stick though. Very important as you can leave the can on until it's finished. Something like this www.powertoolsdirect.com/faithfull-heavy-duty-foam-gun-full-non-stick-body/ The one I featured in the video needs cleaning out regularly.

[@cavokdotcom]

I'm with you on the reusable applicator. It's a far better (and more elegant) solution.. I have used simple acetone to clean out the disposable nozzles though, and it cleans them out beautifully. So it never hurts to have a bottle of that or nail polish remover lying around if you're a home-gamer..

[@geoffreycoan]

Hello Charlie, good video, well explained. The expanding foam cleaner is just acetone in a spray can and as others have pointed out you can use it for other cleaning purposes as well. I’ve always used the disposable cans and like you struggled to clean the nozzle, blowing it out and then pushing out the excess once its dried with a thin screwdriver. But then where I think you missed a trick is that the foam cleaner (acetone) works perfectly well on the disposable cans, just attach the red spray nozzle and spray it down the clear plastic tube and in the top of the can nozzle to dissolve and clean off any foam that’s visible. I’ve used this many times and it does mean that the disposable tube can be used more than once from the same can. It’s not perfect and the can will stop working after a period of time (presumably foam further inside that the acetone can’t get to), but it does provide a good halfway between the disposable can only option and the pro applicator. If nothing else buy the foam cleaner, it lasts forever and makes a big difference to cleaning up

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Geoffrey. Some good points there. I think where the applicator gun wins is with the far superior control you get with it, but I hear what you say and actually, you can't leave foam in the gun for more than a few days as it does jam up the applicator after a while.

[@teslabot6517]

Thanks from Australia, Charlie

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Angus. Appreciate the comment and humbled you've found my vid in Australia 👍

[@ShelliLoop]

Good review.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks!

[@Cybertruck1000]

Good one...thanks

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks 👍

[@richardsaupe]

I bought one from B&Q for about £9 plus change..... definitely get the cleaner... makes such easy work of clean up.... even worked on my hair when l fell into it on-site pre-cured :(

[@mr.wizeguy8995]

You don't need to clean gun just leave empty can on and it can be on shelf for several months and will work when you next need it. But if you remove can you need to clean it extremely well or it will get clogged.

[@Lyndalewinder]

HI Charlie - after watching this excellent video I posted that I would give guns try next time I needed to foam something. Well today was the day at the start of a project that will have numerous small foaming sessions over the next month or two. You were so right. These guns are fabulous. From what I have read subsequently it is ok to leave a part used cylinder on the gun for up to a month or so. Will let you know! Many thanks for the info!

[@muzairanwar]

Super interested in your results. Let us know how it works out for uou

[@CharlieDIYte]

It's great for numerous small foam tasks. The only thing I'd say is that if you don't intend to use the gun for a month or two I'd clean it out, as the trigger on mine got a bit stiff recently when I left it for a couple of weeks. Just buy a couple of cans of spray cleaner as it's great to have lying around.

[@Lyndalewinder]

@@CharlieDIYte Charlie - just a heads-up. Used the gun for a few small jobs and then put to one side for a week only to find it was performing poorly after that. Found that this was due to not being screwed tight enough onto the cylinder so cleaned out and refitted the cylinder. Used the gun again today (two months later) and found that the gun is still working fine with the remaining foam. Seems that my gun (Toolstation professional grade) will last this long if the valve and cylinder are fully tightened.

[@johnturner4400]

Don’t remove the cartridge until you need to change an empty one. A spot of Vaseline around the valve will help removing canister later. Squirt with cleaner around valve before fitting new cartridge to dissolve the back flow of foam. I had a part used cartridge on a gun for six months and it still works fine

[@MartiA1973]

If you do any one than a couple of jobs as a one off, they are a must. Easier to control and clean. Thanks Charlie.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks for that!

[@andrewmason4004]

With a disposable can, you can give a quick squit with can right way up to clear valve & nozzle and then come back to it later to carry on using. If foam does set in the tube, roll it in your hands and it'll separate, a quick blast upright will fire it out. Or wind a screw into the end and pull the core out. That all said, I'd be tempted to buy an applicator gun if I had more to do.

[@bryanbufton1972]

good video useful I hope

[@garvielloken3929]

Just used your link for the Metal Expanding Foam Gun Applicator - £16 Bargain! Great Review! Don't need it atm but as with the leaf blower YOUR game changer recommendations are in fact REAL GAME CHANGERS!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Ah great work Garviel. Really glad you're enjoying the leaf blower. You'll love the foam gun. Just make sure you flush it out if you're leaving it more than a couple of days as it can clog up.

[@garvielloken3929]

@@CharlieDIYte 👍will do

[@skulls2802]

Always looked at these and now I’ll buy one. One thing I didn’t know and never done is spraying with water before and after. Like that tip !!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Yep. I think they all recommend spraying water before the foam, although I've never had to spray it afterwards before - like they recommend for this Constructa-Pro Foam.

[@CantankerousDave]

It causes the foam to skin over immediately.

[@frazer26]

I enjoy cleaning the old nozzle. It’s like peeling pva from your hand

[@jeffclements5495]

I agree with you on the reusable applicator gun; once you use one you'll never go back to the disposable plastic nozzle. That being said, I've been reusing both the plastic nozzles, and the still partially full cans of foam, for years. Both the applicator straws, and the dispensing nozzle on the can, can easily be cleaned out with acetone and a couple of pipe cleaners. I've ended a work day with partially full cans, cleaned the straws and nozzles with acetone, and gone back and used them again sometimes months later (I DO like to rinse the acetone out of the can's nozzle, and blow it out with some compressed air, if I'm leaving the can this long however)

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks for this Jeff. I haven't had such luck reusing the cans, in spite of cleaning out the straws as you say. That said, you also need to clean out the applicator gun when not in use as otherwise it totally bungs up.

[@deankay4434]

Charlie, Use Acetone and a $1 spray bottle from the garden center. I the States, 1 gallon (About a liter) but here it is less than $10. Put it in the spray bottle, Mark it with a felt tip marker (Flammable) but spray it on the straw, adaptor and if the can nozzle won’t spray, put some 10-14 drops in it, let it sit, then hit it with compressed air or simply push it. I used a can two month ago and had to move the ladder. By that time, it was plugged. But I put the drops into the cans tip and let sit for 5 minutes. Sure enough, it worked. Screwed on the plastic straw and worked get. Went looking for “How to Clean” and found Acetone as a common denominator. Thank you for the info and you have different products overseas. It takes work to setup a camera, lights, props, tri-pod, then review, edit & upload. It’s work. Thanks from Nebraska. The arctic cold air comes across North & South Dakota across Nebraska. There is only 5 strands of barb-wire and a mailbox to slow it down. So 3 weeks of -3,-4 high temps with -30 & -40 degrees F. Cold enough to Make sure to keep your giblets covered up!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Good to hear from you Dean. You paint a wonderful picture of life in Nebraska - very jealous buddy! Yes we have spray gun cleaner here which is I think acetone based. Definitely needs unclogging from time to time and a spot of silicone spray on the trigger. I wish I could reference more tools in my Descriptions for you guys, but as you say they're pretty different in a lot of cases. Thanks also for acknowledging the work involved. So true mate. My videos take on average between 2 and 5 days to edit 👊🏻👍🏻

[@smojovi]

Brilliant! You are the "Gordon Ramsey" of DIY. No worries about sweating in the risotto. ;)

[@CharlieDIYte]

It still makes me chuckle that you guys think I look like Gordon Ramsay 🤣

[@eWhizz]

Be very careful with trying to clean out the can nozzle (on the can). I tried cleaning out the nozzle with a screwdriver and the whole nozzle let go, emptying the remaining contents of the can all in one go. I had it all through my hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. It is very difficult to remove and I was picking it out of my hair for months later.

[@JasonJudge]

Lucky you weren't peeling it off your eyeball too. Good to know this kind of thing DOES happen, so we can be warned and were goggles when messing with the top nozzle.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Blimey Charlie! I think the trick is not to leave it out of use for too long. I left mine for a week or so and the trigger because a little stiff, and the nozzle was a nightmare to clean, like you say.

[@rayc1503]

Sorry I've had it all over me too. Part of ongoing pranks with my work colleagues. It wasn't funny at the time all over my face hands and tools, luckily not my eyes. When you hear somebody else talking about their experience, it's hilarious 😂🤣. Sorry if I sound like a jerk, but picking it out of your hair 😂 for months.

[@GraditelMacedonia]

When you install foam bottle or cleaner you mast squeeze rod on handle to free foam inside and avoid spreading foam on top ball valve.

[@bigmac1598]

Hi Charlie is there a different type of spray for the vertical surfaces against the overhead application please. As always a thorough vid

[@normanboyes4983]

Very useful thanks Charlie. You did not seem to be throttling the flow control when demonstrating the applicator though?

[@allongshanks940]

The expaning foam cans have a warning on. that they must be store up right. I found this out after the box of 12 cans had been on my shelf for about 3 months till I got around the job. Not sure if it does have an impact on useage. Great video and very helpful, as I boughyt the same gun.

[@zoezebra4013]

ah thanks, I'm running to check mine

[@harpo187bling]

Nice video.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks!

[@banjo4829]

You can clean the foam from the plastic tubes easily with acetone or paint thinner.

[@JimBuckleyBarrett]

Thanks! I bought the gun for these reasons, just didn't know how to use it properly :).

[@CharlieDIYte]

You're welcome. Thanks for the comment. 👊

[@TomTomTomTom538]

I recommend disposable soudal genius gun can it's perfect for tight spots

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks. They do some good stuff, Soudal.

[@JWOO2437]

That’s a thumbs up from me Charlie...👍👍👍😎😎😎

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks mate!

[@Aepek]

As you found out.....once you buy the foam gun, you’ll never go back to the disposable applicators. The gun is just so much easier to use, & clean; as well as, it saves the foam for another project a lot better. Use a different brand/version, but they are basically the same(differences will be cleaning & storage etc....). The gun I use actually closes the can & the gun nozzle in 2 different places, making cleanup easier; & like I said.....saves the foam for another project. Just comes down to how much willing to spend😆 & how many projects you will be doing over time...... Some guns are cheap disposable plastic guns, some are metal, & others are metal & Teflon coated etc....(most good guns will have a Teflon coated can adapter for easy cleanup). GREAT vid, as many ppl might not know this secret, unless your in the trades. Cheers😊

[@AnthonyHJohn]

Aepek post a link for the gun you use please, cheers

[@Aepek]

Anthony John Will try to find a link for the gun I have(bought at a construction supply store....not a big box) so will try to find it, or very similar. Might take a day...just letting you know. Ttyl

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

If you hold the can correct way up the gas clears the nozzle out and you can reuse

[@valborchardt3596]

Thanks Charlie for the info....