Hi i have used a few of these foam spray's

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but after i use just some of it, the straw and tip gets loaded with hard foam and gets blocked.

i wanted to know...

is it possible to reuse these cans?
How do i clean out the straw or make sure that the straw doesnt get clogged with foam after using it?
Once the straws are loaded with hard foam, is it possible to clear it out?
how do you prevent it from getting clogged?

Are there some good reusable straws out there in the market that helps with this kind of issue?

or are these cans a one time quick use? If you only use a little, then the whole can is worthless?

Yes, use Acetone.

 

Yeah this sounds good.. that bottle did say actone for this use.

Guess ill buy a bottle and try it out.

thank you

 

The tube can usually be cleaned out by pushing a rod or wire through it. What I do is leave the tube attached to the can after using part of the can. Then when I need it I unscrew the tip. Check the top of the can for any cured material and remove any that might be there. It doesn't bond to the plastic and usually slides right out. Then separate the trigger from the tube by twisting/pulling them apart. If there is cured material in the trigger section, it can be hard to clean but often there is none in there. Next I slide a metal rod in the tube pushing the cured "stuff" out. What works the best is if using multiple cans for a project re-use the trigger and tube from the first can and save the un-used ones for later.

 

Yes this sounds like great advice.. ill have to find a metal tube that will fit in so that i could scrape it out

 

easier to get another tube

 

When done using, I blow the straw out with my air compressor.

 

It can be if within a short period of time.

99% of the time half a straw is enough so I cut them in half. Remove the used one immediately, turn the can upside down and clear the nozzle. A toothpick works well to clear the nozzle.

 

I have an alternative method that also solves the problem of the straw being too short (I usually buy a different brand). I throw away the plastic straw and use whatever length of vinyl tubing is required to get to the space that needs the foam (often about 18”), using a heat gun to warm the tubing a bit to push it onto the barbs of the valve. I tape the other end of the tubing to a slim stick so that I use one hand to operate the can valve and the other to direct where the foam goes. When I’m done I clamp a pair of vice grips over the end of the tube. If I need it again within a few weeks I just cut some of the tubing off to get to the part that is still liquid.

 

It is key to keep air out of the tube once it is exposed to foam. I have had some luck spraying WD40 into the tube and nozzle, then capping the open tube end closed. Lowe's sells Great Stuff in a can designed with an extra barb to attach the tube free end to between uses.