Reusing Spray Foam Cans No.1 - Tips & Tricks

After use, "Great Stuff" spray foam often seals itself and the can is no longer usable. With a bit of care you can reopen the tubes and nozzles so you can use the remainder of the can later. Related Video -
Reusing Spray Foam Cans No. 2 - Tips & Tricks
• Reusing Spray Foam Can...
Reusing Spray Foam Cans No. 3 - Cleaning New Straws
• Reusing Spray Foam Can...
More videos of interest:
Making Movement 123 - Reciprocating Rack Mechanism • Making Movement 123 - ...
Gear Head - Working Wood Gear Mechanism • Gear Head - Working Wo...
Wood Gear Planetary Drive • Wood Gear Planetary Drive
Soldering Copper Pipe - Tips & Tricks • Soldering Copper Pipe ...

[@Ahmed-dx2cb]

THIS is why i love KZbin. Good people giving the best advise of their lives.

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Thanks for watching... and your kind comment! Please subscribe! That is what keeps this channel going. Ron

[@robertcasey7312]

Sir, I’ve seen a bazillion KZbin videos. This is far and away one of the most helpful. Please accept my sincere gratitude.

[@RonaldWalters2010]

A bazillion... That's a lot! :-) Your comment is greatly appreciated. Thanks for watching. Please subscribe! That is what keeps this channel going. Ron

[@mpxz999]

Best Youyuber for info on Great Stuff even now in 2023! Thanks!

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Glad you think so! Thanks for watching. Ron

[@davidpeele6054]

Ron, I've watched a lot of youtube instructional videos and many of them are very good, but never had a desire to post a comment until now. Thanks for taking the time to create the video and doing job such a good job with it. Two thumbs up!

[@Atka59]

Ron, that last bit about the wife not finding out you were using the kitchen knives as tools means that you are a charter member in good standing of The Real Men's Association. Bless you brother!

[@marthanewsome6375]

It works for husbands too. I use expandable foam all the time for my aquariums and he complains about me using the kitchen knives, but they always come clean with a good scrub. Perhaps I should start a "Real Women's Association" Atka? Hahaha or haven't you figured out yet that women can do the same things as men do? Also, I use the tools around my place far more than my husband does, just for the fact I don't want to hear him complaining if I ask him to fix something around the house. Hahaha Oh boy! Eye roll . . .

[@pamelaspeich2881]

@@marthanewsome6375 Just what I was thinking!!!

[@gohanis]

@@marthanewsome6375 I always get such a warm feeling whenever I come across anyone, but especially women, who are fully capable of doing all the awesome things my mom and dad taught me when I was young. Using hand and power tools, knowing how to adjust a door, build fences, all that kind of stuff. The amount of Joy I've gotten out of my life by doing things like this myself, it makes me very happy to see that being experienced by other people. Some of the best insulators, drywallers and tapers I ever employed were female, unfortunately not as many as I would like! Currently I drive Caterpillar 797's, and out of the 50 of us, the top five are women. Both in how much oil sands they move with the truck, but also all around quality of employee. Here's hoping we keep moving in this awesome direction

[@ZacharyPerry]

@@browncatwithblurredbackgro2461 hahahaha for real! Feminist movement gone too far! I say this as a gay man…. Sorry gals, women aren’t capable of doing the same things men can do! Stop the narcissism and peddling your liberal media propaganda! It’s just a fact. Doesn’t mean we’re not all equal just as women can do certain things men can’t do…ie. give birth…but you’re probably the same women/people that use the term “birthing person” …. Also your husband complains about you asking him to do man chores?? Sounds like the modern marriage to a feminist “man”, good luck with that!

[@MRrwmac]

I almost didn't buy the Great Stuff because I only needed a little and didn't want to waste the money on a full can and having to throw most away. UNTIL I remembered your video (this one). I bought the can used a little as needed then followed your advice here. I have since used small quantities of the can several times and it sits on the shelf ready to use again and again until the gas is gone!! Thank you very much Ron!

[@rowbearto]

Thank you. Your tip worked for me. I found that the wooden kitchen skewer worked perfectly to clean the tube and a straight pin worked to poke any dry stuff from the nozzle. I love being able to use the rest of the can on another project.

[@LumutIkan]

Anyone who plans to use PU Foam SHOULD watch this video first. Very informative. Thanks for creating this video.

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Thanks for watching and for your comment. Please subscribe! That is what keeps this channel going. Ron

[@janegroves6778]

Inspiring. Using 2 - 3 different sized screws, I was able to reuse a can last used two years ago. Thank you very much for such a clear and comprehensive explanation

[@jjmont61]

Thanks for figuring out a solution to a problem which has plagued all of us Great Stuff users!

[@holly6648]

One of the best DIY videos I've seen. Hopefully, you've saved me lots of trouble because you touched on about 3 mistakes I would have made if I hadn't watched this. I'm very grateful to people like you who take the time to pass on this kind of information. I've subscribed and am looking forward to your clear no-nonsense explanations.

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Well thanks for watching Debi, and subscribing! Ron

[@kllwc7772]

Excellent advice and so helpful! I still have a bit of gorilla foam left and now know I can still use the rest🤝

[@mattmullens3215]

Mate, you're what's known in Australia as a 'legend'. Extremely helpful vid.

[@imjustjamei]

When spraying foam under radiators to fill gap in baseboard use a drinking straw with some tape to extend the application nozzle

[@DanWright1966]

This is a really informative video. I've turned the cans upside down in a cup half full of acetone in order to dissolve the cured foam in the nozzle. It worked well enough that I'd have done it again -- until I saw your video. Your screw method is the better way by far. Thanks for making and posting this.

[@greedsss34]

Excellent tips - Thanks a lot!!! - and I agree with another commenter... it's refreshing to watch a video that's jam packed full of information and doesn't have a 5 minute 'intro' where the subject blathers on and on. Good Job!

[@SirensVoice]

Thank you so much. I'm on a budget and buying more of this because the foam drys is difficult. Thank you again!

[@craigx1433]

Fantastic information...I just used all your advice and all my can's are empty now and nothing left to waste...Thank you so much!

[@roadstar499]

Years ago i was able to get a few uses out of a can by cleaning parts also...but your methods seem the best... also good to know about the gas in can ...excellent how to video.

[@dangergunner2788]

Thanks Ron. I am using foam this weekend on a small job. Great to know I can reuse with these tricks.

[@tonyrivera5756]

6 years later and your video is still teachin folks how to save the damn 1/2 empty foam bottles and nozzles! I always threw them away...not anymore Sir...nope

[@MrCantStopTheRobot]

Great video. I'd been tinkering around with various ways of clearing the tube and sealing the nozzle between uses, without much success. You've shown me what I was doing wrong!

[@PaulShavera113]

nicely done! I always regret opening a can of great stuff when I know I only have a little to do... Now I won't stress too much knowing I can clean these out!

[@JC-ep3mk]

Years of throwing out partially used cans of spray foam because the nozzle was clogged. This video is simple and straightforward. No dramatic music of visual effects. "How to..." as it should be! JC Toronto, ON Canada

[@herbfell]

GREAT INFO, THANKS! Love your videos, they 'speak' to me clearly without all the nonsense so many other KZbin videos have in them. To 56nine: While acetone will clear out the foam, it will also most likely eat the nozzle and valve. (Acetone and plastic don't play well together:-) There are exceptions where certain plastics would hold up, but not many.

[@beckyb8929]

You give great directions.Thank you for all the tips. Last time I bought this stuff I called the company to ask them how to save it and they said it has a one time use. So I needed it again and looked up your video hoping I could save it and see that now the dispensing straw is different. It is now a red plastic tube with a yellow thing at the end that you"open". It shows that you close it when you're done.That implies to me that it might now be reusable and shouldn't dry up inside the straw but the directions on the can still say "one time use is to be expected" . The nozzle looks like it will make it harder to clean out the straw. I'll find out. Thanks for all the cleaning tips too. I'm "the wife" so I only have myself to get mad at if I mess up an old knife.

[@valvalvalvalval17]

Best video on how to help reuse stored can and make the most of spray expanding foam insulation gap filler. I was very frustrated at not being able to use in can leftover. Thank you. Excellent explanation and tips.

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Glad it was helpful! Just be careful and wear safety glasses and gloves. Thanks for watching! Please subscribe. That is what keeps this channel going. Ron

[@ricksakoda9498]

I've been bothered for quite awhile with the cans of unused spray foam becoming seemingly unuseable (I thought) after one use, with messy nozzles, plugged can, etc. But not since I've seen and tried your amazingly simple, practical and money saving tips. Thank you very, very much!!

[@crackertracker1176]

Thanks for your advice. I have tossed a many partially used cans of foam. I put off projects until accumulate enough of them to use up a can of foam, hopefully. Thanks again.

[@santoorsudha]

simple tricks that can save you money and make you more efficient.....Great video , Ron !

[@OurLittleGamer]

Ron, thanks very much for the helpful and thorough video. I had a small job to do with the foam and thought I needed to throw away the can after I was finished. I asked my husband what the best way to dispose of it would be and he said, "Just hold onto it for now." I argued with him but eventually put the can on the shelf and today thought I would ask him to pick up a new can on the way home... then I thought to look up if the spray foam could be salvaged. Thanks for saving us some money!

[@SharpEnuff]

This video is full of useful and correct information. When I was working I had occasion to use spray foam frequently and utilized similar tips as provided here. Now I am going to go look at some of the other videos from this tuber.

[@mikep95133]

I tried your idea just today. Worked like a charm!!! Save me $$ !! Thanks !!

[@josephspinetti8153]

I don't usually leave comments but this video is jammed pack with excellent information! DJ GaFFLe's comment is dead on. will be checking out your other videos, thanks again, awesome job!

[@policedog4030]

Excellent! And thanks for showing the flame test. In 1975 someone got a flame too close to similar foam at the Brown's Ferry nuke plant and the resulting fire followed the cable trays and took out many of the connections between the control panel and all the various actuators, pumps and valves and meters. They barely scrammed the reactor and I don't recall if they ever got it going again. So your reminder is good that while this stuff is a great insulator, it is not so great in event of a fire.

[@bobbyrio2628]

I almost threw out a full can a contractor left. Thanks to you I sealed up my shower stall, pipes, floor, etc.

[@fredwest5396]

Extraordinarily interesting presentation and explanation. Excellent speaking skills. Clear, concise, well paced. Immediately subscribed, a no brainer. With a plumbing background in our family it made me wonder if you could squirt this into a water pipe with a slow leak in an emergency. Thanks Ron, well done.

[@TonyVazquez8265]

Excellent video-torial! I can't wait to start using this foam for making sculptures and dioramas! THAAAAANKS!

[@LynnR40]

Nice to know this. I hate when half of a can has to be tossed. I had left the nozzle on the can last time by accident and was able to reuse it because of that. Thanks for sharing this !

[@greatquotestoliveby]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, it's greatly appreciated!

[@velvetbeandmc]

Good tips, was not expecting to see so much more information on working with the foam. Very informative. Thanks.

[@dreamingcode]

Such a helpful video considering the price of these cans. Thanks for sharing!

[@MK-ut2bj]

Thanks for the tips! I was able to reuse a half full can of Great Stuff after watching this.

[@TheBergy32]

I find that an old hacksaw blade with a sharpened point or tip to plunge into the foam and then make a cut works very well. I also made a handle for the blade. Great video-good tips!

[@scook1762]

Good tips, good presentation. I started cleaning tips last year. Less waste.

[@mickeymcnulty6152]

I didn't know it would cure in the nozzle when I used my first can (though I did wonder when I started using it) so I was incredibly disappointed when I had to throw the can away. This video is great! Will definitely try

[@bopitbull3957]

This is a great video for people I just did the exact same thing.but in my case the pressure in the can lost a little bit of pressure that didn't work real well but what you just did absolutely works for sure great video thumbs up

[@Howtosculpt]

Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful trick & tip, I'm going to try my spray foam can now that I got so mad and didn't know how to fix it ! I appreciate it !

[@5lig4tlyD3mo21c]

I like it, straight to the tips and tricks, No nonsense, no bullshit, you sir have my thanks and respect for talking the time to make a video with just what's needed, no more, no less.

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Thanks for the comment. Much appreciated! Please Subscribe. That is what keeps this channel running. Ron

[@pentiuman]

As everyone knows, this stuff expands, often more than one anticipates, and my know-it-all construction buddy likes to try to shape it like caulking when this happens, WHILE IT'S WET, which is a mistake, and it only takes 2-3 weeks for the stuff to wear off of his fingers! I put masking tape on surfaces like window edges that I want to protect before spraying it. Resist the temptation to touch it if it grows too big - as it often will. Let it dry, then trim it neatly, and use the trimmings to fill the underfilled sections.

[@lvvry1855]

Wow! Great tips. I'm ready to go now with confidence. Thanks a million.

[@westonunruh9957]

Very valuable information. Worth keeping in mind. Thank you so much!

[@Nytevizion]

This is excellent information. I didn't know it was that flammable. Thanks!

[@bernardotech]

Great information - thanks!

[@DXWXMX44]

I love seeing how to do stuff like this - reuse rather than waste. Thanks

[@JamesAutoDude]

Thanks for the tips! Will definitely help me out.

[@Chris_Porro_Land_o_Naps]

this is a good one. a real assessment of great stuff. re-using, cutting, cleaning, why the gas is important, when it's most effective.

[@tonychan2504]

It's not repetitious, but this is dense information, no music, no dance. Time well spent learning useful information. 👍👍👍

[@Layarion]

i love all the extra bits about how and why things work. oh and i totally understand the wife comment.

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Thank you... glad you liked it. Please subscribe! That is what keeps this channel going. Ron

[@Cookefan59]

Excellent post! Now I don’t feel like I wasted my money. Thank you very much!

[@georgetate6055]

Just got thru accidentally making a sheetrock patch worse! Not because of any spray foam but because I pressed against the inside edge too hard as I was placing a sheetrock screw. So, I've re-cut a new patch. This time I only crumbled a 1.5" round hole in the edge. There's nothing behind the hole, so I plan to use the brand-new can of spray foam I bought. It's such a small application that I almost just filled the hole with mud... but that would take a lot of time due to the multiple times I'd have to fill, and let dry. Fill, and let dry. Thanks for your video! Now I can save the remainder of the can for the next gaps I create!

[@GarrisonFall]

I've thrown many half full cans of this stuff. I'll be trying this method (and those in the comments) for sure. Great video. Thanks.

[@charliebear1968]

Wow, thank you! i am using this stuff all the time!

[@kruzrken]

Extremely helpful video. Thanks!

[@chepex21]

Thank you Ronald for sharing this with us

[@PacoOtis]

Well done! Very clever and well presented. Thanks! You've motivated us!!!

[@Tbvck]

I will definitely try your tips the next time I use spray foam. Good video, thanks.

[@ecrusch]

Another great tip Ron. That stuff is a pain in the butt; but no more ! Thanks again.

[@cmack482]

This helped me today. The screw trick to clean the nozzle works!

[@leonardherman]

Good video. It definitely fills the information void the manufacturers of these products have left.

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Good Idea! I will try that one.

[@orlandoburgosandroid]

Thank you, very helpful. useful to no end.

[@123thebasics]

Thank you...I'm getting ready to use this and only need a small amount for my project. ThIs is very helpful .Thanks again 😃👍🏽

[@micahbell8533]

Didn't think to use a screw to clear the nozzle, but it worked flawlessly! Thank you

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching! Ron

[@dreamingcode]

Awesome video!! Thank you for not dragging it out!!!

[@kevinwells768]

Great video. I also found about 1cc of acetone tipped into the can nozzle dissolves the liquid foam and cleans it up ready for next use. Same with foam that's still not set in the tube, where it can be gently squeezed through.

[@DanielRichards644]

thanks for the Acetone, the hand saw I was using to trim the foam hit a not quite cured section can got all messy, now I know how to clean it up.

[@mojo5157]

Great tip! I'll try this next time I use it.

[@taritavirtue]

THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH! you are a SPRAY FOAM ROCK STAR!

[@joellenlee7635]

This is a lot of great information. Thanks so much!

[@lancegoodthrust7819]

Thanks Ron. I am giving this one the "thumbs up".

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Great info, Thanks for posting

[@joshuaodowd9107]

I always keep a can of the foam spray gun around for clean up of this foam it’s about 6 bucks a can but worth its weight in gold. Awesome video by the way

[@davefelber8797]

Nice job I use about 500 cans a year you nailed the tips

[@Kittykisszpdx]

This is great. Thank you for posting!

[@lovetrumpsfear]

Thumbs up for "wash it, dry it, put it back in the kitchen drawer, and your wife will be none the wiser." :D BTW, I've made a note bring my own knife to dinner at your house.

[@bobdalton2062]

I thought it was the best part of the video! LMAO!

[@avaa2314]

You are the macguyver I grew up watching and wanting to be. Thank you

[@MrDanoconnor]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@weedium]

I truly enjoyed this. Thanks!

[@RocketCityGardener]

Very helpful and informative. Thanks.

[@a-yates]

Awesome video alot of people dont realize you can clean them out I have been cleaning them for years crazy what you can do when you need to make something work lol

[@chriskeenan1]

Great tips. Thanks for the upload. 👌🏽

[@dieselrotor]

Good video, straight to the point. I have been doing this for years and watched this to see if I may learn something new. I didn't (not being rude) but I really like Your style and great information. Absolutely respect common sense, best regards.

[@labtrainer09]

I'm just about to seal a long run of buckled flashing with Great Stuff foam, and I was dreading the waste of money on the famously non-reusable cans. I strongly suspect that your VERY detailed, thorough video is going to save the day. Many thanks!

[@RonaldWalters2010]

A word of caution about using this foam around door or window frames or anything flimsy (?? buckled flashing) as the foam can generate a good deal of pressure as it expands and cures causing distortion. A low expansion foam or caulking may be better... but I have no idea what you are trying to accomplish. Thanks for watching.

[@labtrainer09]

Thanks for the heads-up Ron. Explaining exactly where I'll be applying the foam would have taken a couple of sentences, so I took what I now realize was an ill-advised "shortcut" by calling it "buckled flashing." In fact, the aluminum is backed by half-inch plywood, ring-nailed on 6" centers. Nonetheless, my past experience has demonstrated just the high pressures you warned me about, so I'll be careful about how much I put into the gap.

[@williamsanders7908]

very helpful information and well done video. Thanks Mr. Walters

[@johngoold1218]

Just what I was looking for. Thank you.

[@gwsswg]

SOME REAL HANDY TIPS THANKS A LOT AND KEEP EM COMING.................

[@omar200x]

Thanks that was really helpful, keep up the good work.

[@heathbarker3004]

Thanks Ronald great help and to the point.

[@albertoorense4030]

Nice informative tips! Thank you very much!!!

[@Elliott17]

Helpful video… I've also found success with simply pushing a wooden skewer or wire ( like an insulation put up wire) into the straw immediately after use. I leave the straw connected to the can, skewer and set aside. If careful when removing, one can have success with this, if not the straw can break off at it connection point…The cured foam typically pulls out clean from the straw and the can can be reused… :)