Today’s article is devoted to the question of how to remove polyurethane foam from a plastic window. There are many different erroneous options that will not only clear the profile of building material, but also damage its top layer. Therefore, in order not to spoil the appearance of the window frame, we recommend reading this publication to the end: all the effective and safest ways to solve the problem are collected here.
Removing polyurethane foam from a plastic window Source kraski-net.ru
Effective ways to deal with a fresh stain of polyurethane foam
Of course, freshly dripped foam on a window sill or window profile can be easily removed using a construction spatula, simply by prying off the dirt. However, there are times when the remains have time to harden a little. In this case, scraping with sharp objects will only ruin the appearance. Therefore, you can use one of the methods listed below or choose several of them.
Dried foam on a plastic window from the outside Source po-chistim.ru
Hot vegetable oil
It can be olive or sunflower. To prepare the cleaner, follow these steps:
- take a small cauldron and pour one glass of oil into it;
- heat it to boiling temperature;
- then take a clean rag and soak it generously in oil;
- Without wasting time, wipe the contaminated surface of the plastic.
This method is effective. It is absolutely harmless, both for the profile and for humans, because it does not contain chemically hazardous components.
Hot vegetable oil to dissolve fresh foam on the window Source legkovmeste.ru
How to remove stains and whiten a plastic window sill
Modern windows are beautiful and practical. They do not require special care, insulate the apartment from noise and retain heat. But no matter how carefully you treat the metal-plastic structure, over time, smudges and yellowing appear on it. Then every housewife begins to look for a method on how to clean a plastic window sill from stains so that it becomes like new again.
- What are the types of stains on the windowsill?
- What you need for cleaning
- Which purchased products are best to use?
- Effective folk methods
- How to wash plastic after repair
- Gentle care: the basic rule of a clean window sill
Dried sealant: how to deal with it
It is more difficult to remove polyurethane foam that has got onto the PVC window profile and has already existed there for some period. Then the above methods are unlikely to help cope with the task. Therefore, we move on to more radical cleaning options.
"Demexide"
“Demexide” is a pharmaceutical drug familiar to everyone, and it should be used only in the manner described in the instructions below:
- take a sharp paint knife and carefully remove the top part of the dried sealant;
- moisten a cotton pad or just a piece of cotton wool generously with Demexide;
- then diligently rub the area where there is contamination with sealant;
- Place the cotton pad on the stained area and leave it on it for 10-15 minutes.
Using dimexide to clean polyurethane foam on windows Source odstroy.ru
This period is more than enough to dissolve the remaining congealed dirt. Now simply rinse the area as usual.
Note! If the surface of the window frame is varnished, do not use this drug. It is capable of removing part of the top layer of coating along with the hardened foam. In the future, this place will be noticeable, as a stain will form on it.
Professional cleaner for removing polyurethane foam from plastic windows Source luxury-house.org
Special cleaning liquid
Construction stores sell a special liquid that can remove gun foam contamination. It dissolves all the pieces and the instrument becomes like new again. There are even kits on sale: sealant plus cleaner. You need to use this to clean the PVC frame according to the following algorithm:
- take a pure white rag or napkin and soak it in foam remover;
- then apply to the dried piece of foam and hold in this position for 5-10 minutes;
- if the sealant is on a vertical surface, glue the rags with masking tape;
- After time has passed, simply remove any remaining dirt.
You don’t have to leave the rag in the product on the surface of the profile; it may be enough to just wipe the coating thoroughly.
Important! Cleaning liquid for polyurethane foam should be applied using only a white, non-dyed cloth. Otherwise, you risk leaving pigment from a rag or napkin on the profile. And it will be more difficult to remove than polyurethane foam, especially if the frame is matte.
Normative documents
Causes of gaps
State standards and documents define what an “installation gap” is, what its size may be, and measures to eliminate gaps. It also describes how to avoid gaps when installing windows.
Not all companies that deal with metal-plastic windows strictly follow the standards. It happens that the customer is better acquainted with GOST and insists on its implementation. Unscrupulous craftsmen in this case may demand double payment for the work.
Any company should have a standard on the basis of which their craftsmen carry out installation work on PVC windows. And it is written down in the contract with the client. Not all buyers read the contract carefully before signing. This is what companies are counting on, because their plan does not always comply with the state standard, and the client will no longer be able to make a claim after poor installation.
Principles of correct installation
The state standard for the installation of plastic windows provides for the use of special materials that protect against moisture and steam.
For example, a vapor-tight expanding tape. Its use requires serious preparatory work. The opening is leveled, all defects are eliminated using a primer. This is a rather labor-intensive and time-consuming process, which is why craftsmen do not follow GOST standards.
With such work and poor quality installation, the windows will not last long. Window installation gaps may not meet standards, may be crooked, too small or too large. If the gaps are too large, they cannot be treated with vapor barrier tape, only plastered.
If this happens, you should use a special plaster composition - atmospheric cement mortar. You can also tape the seams on the outside with special tape.
Next, it’s tedious to install the flashing. This product is included with all PVC windows. It is better for buyers to study the standards for the manufacture and installation of metal-plastic windows before purchasing them.
Eliminating the gap between the window and the block
An important factor when eliminating gaps is the material of the walls. If the windows are the same size and the opening is larger, use wooden spacers. They must be large, because they are attached to the lower corners of the box. Thanks to gaskets, you can achieve the optimal size gap.
It is important to correctly mount the pads to the side parts of the block. For double-hung windows, 4 blocks are installed.
All wooden parts of the window block are treated with an antiseptic, and the distance between the block and the wall is filled with a waterproofing layer.
When installing windows, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the opening, remove the old frame and install a corresponding new one, which is especially important for non-standard opening dimensions.
All measurements made by the master must be agreed upon with the buyer, all nuances are discussed. Incorrect measurements are considered a defect of the manufacturer, which he is obliged to replace, and PVC with incorrect measurements will not be installed.
The size of the gap should not be less than 15 mm, otherwise it will be very difficult to eliminate the gap. This is due to the fact that the nose of the gun with polyurethane foam is 10 mm, and if the gap is too large, the amount of consumables to eliminate it increases - polyurethane foam and insulating tape.
To eliminate large gaps, thermal insulation sheets, wooden blocks, and brickwork are also used.
Legal support for installation
The contract that the buyer enters into with the company provides the consumer with legal security. It is important that this agreement specifies government regulations that describe the procedure for high-quality installation. If there are none, you should insist on their inclusion in the contract.
This is especially important in winter. At this time of year, poor-quality installation of PVC windows will manifest itself very quickly - puddles will appear on the windowsill, mold will appear, and the sashes will stop opening. If this happens, you should immediately go to court.
The Consumer Rights Society can help resolve the problem. Qualified independent specialists provide assistance there. The victim will receive inspection reports, which will describe what was violated during installation. This will work in favor of the buyer in court.
Insulation of slopes
When installing a box measuring 58 mm, the width of the wall should be 2.5 bricks (610 mm). Drywall should not be used as insulation. It creates an air cushion where moisture will accumulate. It is better to use sandwich panels.
For brick walls, windows with a wide frame of 12 cm are used. In this case, an increased temperature in the slopes is ensured. The block moves deeper into the room, which increases the concentration of warm air near the window. At the same time, the installation seam expands, giving greater resistance to heat transfer. Polyurethane foam inside the seam will prevent the formation of condensation.
Special equipment
There are a lot of expensive compounds that can remove both fresh and hardened polyurethane foam on a window profile. Just be sure to read the instructions before using them. Since the compositions may not be suitable for use on colored PVC frames.
Special branded cleaner for polyurethane foam Source krsk.au.ru
When a suitable liquid has been selected, the principle of its use is no different from those listed above. Only with the help of a special product will it be much faster to deal with the sealant.
Secrets of professional installers
Wash
Professional installers use a homemade composition, which in construction slang is called “wash.” Its components:
- acetone - 100 g
- solvent 649 - 100 g
- vinegar essence - 200 g
These components are mixed and used to remove foam. Dampen a clean (not colored) rag and wipe off the stain. If necessary, repeat the cleaning until the expected result is obtained. The main condition is a preliminary check of the reaction of the plastic to the composition. If it cannot withstand contact with the remover, this method cannot be used.
What to do if polyurethane foam gets on the window glass
It is possible that contaminants, in particular polyurethane foam, may get on the glass. Even if you try to remove them right away, stains will remain one way or another. In this case, the following algorithm of actions comes to the rescue:
- Take a small piece of cotton wool and soak it in any of the solvents: White Spirit, acetone and others.
- Rub the surface of the dirty glass: after which the residue will be completely removed.
- You can try to remove the sealant dry: to do this, cut off the main part of the drop, and then scrape off the remains with a blade, just do not scratch the glass.
For such cleaning, it is recommended to use a special glass tool. It consists of a blade with a handle and limiters. It is safe to work with them, because no matter how you tilt the tool, it will be impossible to scratch the glass.
Why is foam so difficult to remove?
In order to understand how to effectively wipe off foam, you need to understand its properties. This sealant has amazing retention, heat and sound insulation properties, and at the same time it is simple and convenient to use.
Compressed foam, leaving the can through the gun, increases several times. At the same time, it is saturated with many tiny bubbles, which collapse and securely adhere to the base. The process of adhesion occurs - the penetration of one substance into another at the molecular level.
It turns out that as soon as the foam sealant touches any surface, it immediately firmly penetrates its structure. And even if you did a good job eliminating the excess and no traces are visible, know that some part of the composition still remains.
It is also worth considering that the more moistened an object is, the more firmly the foam “sits” on it. This is why it is so difficult to remove the product from your hands, and it becomes obvious that trying to wash off a fresh mark with water is a bad idea.
The conclusion suggests itself that it is better to play it safe and prevent contamination with polyurethane foam. To do this, before, during and after work, it is advisable to take the following measures:
- remove all valuable objects and furniture from the room or at least cover it with film;
- lubricate with greasy cream or Vaseline those areas that cannot be protected in any other way - for example, a window frame or door leaf;
- for work, wear the most closed clothing possible, be sure to have a hat and gloves - and the uniform should consist of those things that you don’t mind throwing away later;
- when buying a cylinder with a substance, immediately buy a cleaner or stock up on solvent and “Dimexide” - they will certainly come in handy;
- After foaming, especially large spaces, avoid drafts - they can “blow out” the sealant that has not yet hardened.
Products that are prohibited from cleaning polyurethane foam on PVC windows
In general, a large number of compounds and tools are offered for cleaning windows. But not all of them are safe. This section lists tools and products that are strictly prohibited to use for cleaning foam on plastic profiles. Here they are:
- an abrasive kitchen sponge (its hard side will only scratch the coating, which means dirt will penetrate deeper into the plastic layer);
- metal brushes have the same effect as the previous item on the integrity of the surface;
- cleaning products based on soda and rough parts resembling fine sand. They, in turn, do grinding, accordingly the profile will lose its glossy appearance and become matte;
- solvents No. 646 and No. 647. The proposed compositions also dissolve the top coating of the plastic window along with the frozen foam.
Types of contamination of a plastic window sill
A plastic window sill does not need constant cleaning. It is enough to wipe it with a clean, dry cloth once every few days, thus removing accumulated dust. This is, of course, if the operation takes place under normal conditions in a normal populated area, far from mines and chemical plants.
Window sill and balcony door after renovation
But still, the window sill should be washed once a week. An ordinary dishwashing gel or even powder can be used as such a product. Either this or that product needs to be dissolved in warm water and washed with it on the windowsill. Then you need to wipe it with a clean cloth and then wipe it dry.
If the window sill has endured (endures daily) more severe tests in the form of a layer of dust, ash, or repair work in the room that constantly settles on it, then it will have to be washed with serious means. Most often, global cleaning requires window sills that are located in the kitchen, quite close to the stove, as well as those located in rooms where renovations took place.
So, the types of window sill contamination can be divided into the following:
- from polyurethane foam,
- from adhesive tape and glue,
Contamination from felt-tip pens, markers and plasticine can be placed in a separate category. In general, everything that spoils the appearance of the window sill must be mercilessly removed. You can start with the simplest means.
Rules for removal from laminate and floor coverings
Dimexide is used to remove stains from linoleum, laminate, wood, and parquet. Do not use acetone on flooring as it may cause streaks.
To remove dirt from a carpet or rug, place a damp cloth on the contaminated area and wait until the foam is completely soaked. After softening, the stain is removed with a sponge soaked in a soap solution.
