Effective ways of how and how to clean polyurethane foam from plastic windows

When installing plastic windows, polyurethane foam is used. Its task is reliable sealing.

Due to the specific nature of the material, even experienced craftsmen run the risk that the sealant will get on the windows themselves and stain them.

In this case, you will need to clean the polyurethane foam using special products or home recipes.

We’ll tell you in this article how to clean fresh and old foam from plastic windows.

What to do with fresh?

Polyurethane foam – it is polyurethane, which provides high-quality noise and heat insulation. During the application process (blown into cavities), the sealant expands, filling all recesses and holes.

Fresh, just applied, the composition is soft and pliable, having the ability to expand and reliably fill all cavities. In air it hardens quite quickly, within a few hours.

The following home methods are suitable:

• acetone;
• vinegar;
• White Spirit;
• vegetable oil.

You can also use special products designed to clean a construction gun. The selected solvent allows you to remove the mass that has not yet set without effort. To do this, soak a rag in the selected composition and wipe off the stained part of the plastic window.

In areas close to the joints of the window and the opening, it is better to remove the foam not immediately, but after hardening. This will avoid breaking the seal.

How to remove the old one using improvised means?

Dried foam on a plastic window needs to be removed in several stages. The bulk of it must be removed mechanically – cut using a sharp object, such as a stationery knife, spatula or scraper. You must act carefully so as not to accidentally damage the surface of the window itself.

After using home recipes, the window should be washed with soapy water and wiped dry.

Vinegar

To clean windows, vinegar is used undiluted. It is applied for 5-10 minutes for effect. Remove with a sponge.

Vegetable oil

Vegetable oil can be used to soften hardened foam. The oil is applied and when the polyurethane softens (after 30-40 minutes), it is cleaned off with a sponge.

For a more effective effect, it is better to heat the oil and leave the oiled rag on the treated area.

The greasy trace of oil is then washed off with any detergent., intended for washing windows. Without first cutting off a thick layer of foam, the use of oil is ineffective.

Dimexide

The pharmaceutical product Dimexide can be used unconventionally - to eliminate polyurethane foam. The best result is achieved when the contamination is small and forms a thin layer on the surface.

Procedure:

1. A solvent is applied to the remaining foam.
2. Distribute it over the stained area using a brush.
3. Leave it for just a couple of minutes.
4. Remove the softened mass with a damp cloth.

Using Dimexide to remove polyurethane foam - on video:

Acetic essence and solvent

In cases where plastic needs to be cleaned quickly and efficiently, a multi-component composition can be used. This recipe will help solve the problem even in difficult cases.

To prepare it you will need:

• acetone - 1 tbsp. l.;
• vinegar essence – 3 tbsp. l.;
• solvent A-649 – 1 tbsp. l.

How to remove with special preparations?

Special cleaners can be used to remove foam from surfaces. Many companies are engaged in their production. Including those that supply the polyurethane foam itself to the product market.

Kudo Foam Remover

Foam Remover is a remover of hardened polyurethane foam. The drug is intended to eliminate polyurethane composition from plastic, metal and other surfaces with a non-porous structure.

Thanks to its convenient packaging, Kudo spreads well over the surface. Cost – from 140 rubles for a volume of 210 ml.

Soudal

The product is intended for removing polyurethane foam from a wide range of types of surfaces. The product comes with a spatula and a brush. for ease of use.

Soudal is suitable for cleaning frames, window sills and glass. The remover should not be used on brass, copper or zinc metal surfaces. Price – from 600 rubles per 100 ml.

Polynor Cleaner

The cleaner is designed to remove polyurethane foam and non-hardening Polynor insulation from various surfaces. The product is suitable for treating window frames, window sills and glass.. The product is based on acetone.

Polynor is sprayed onto the stained area of ​​the plastic window. Cost - about 200 rubles per bottle.

Features of removing traces from various areas of the window structure

The approach to removing polyurethane foam from windows must take into account which surface the contamination is on. Depending on the type of material, the cleaning approach is adjusted.

Glass

It is better to remove the sealant from the glass after it has hardened.. The main mass is carefully cut off, avoiding scratching the glass.

Windowsill

The sill of plastic windows can be made of ceramics, plastic or wood. For PVC surfaces, treatment with Dimexide and special polyurethane foam solvents is suitable. Stone-like ceramic window sills can be cleaned with any of the household and professional products.

But if the surface is wooden and varnished, the use of such products is prohibited. In this case, foam removal must be carried out when the polyurethane has just begun to set. Its edge is picked up and carefully removed. To make the procedure easy, it is advisable to wait until the sealant has stopped getting dirty, but has not yet hardened.

If the foam has frozen on a varnished window sill, you will have to use a salt solution:

1. Pour a glass of water into a bowl.
2. Add 1 tbsp. l. salt.
3. Stir.
4. The solution is applied to the affected area of ​​the window sill.
5. Leave for 5 minutes.
6. Erase the mark with a wet sponge.

If all the above methods do not help clean the varnished surface, you will have to sand the window sill and re-varnish it.

Plastic

It is recommended to clean the plastic at the joints after the polyurethane mass has hardened. It is better to scrape it off with a plastic spatula rather than a metal one. Further processing can be carried out with Dimexide or sunflower oil.

5 prohibitions

When removing foam from plastic windows, It is important to remember a number of prohibitions:

1. Work related to blowing out cavities around the window perimeter should not be carried out with bare hands. Unfrozen foam can adhere not only to various objects, but also to the skin. Also, do not remove foam with solvents without wearing gloves.
2. The use of knives and other cutting tools should not be too active or vigorous, as this risks damaging the base material.
3. Solvents should not be selected experimentally to remove foam, as this risks damaging the window itself. Purchased products must be designed for treating plastic surfaces.
4. The use of mechanical grinding with sandpaper is not advisable, as there is a risk of surface damage.
5. When removing uncured mass, it is necessary to avoid smearing it, since it will be much more difficult to clean a large area.

Recommendations from experts

In order for work to remove polyurethane foam from a plastic window to proceed without unpleasant surprises, It is advisable to adhere to the following professional advice:

1. The more the surface is moistened, the stronger the adhesion of the sealant to the base becomes. To minimize the likelihood of staining windows, they must be dry.
2. The use of foam should be carried out strictly according to the instructions for the drug.
3. Preliminary cleaning with removal of the bulk of the foam will help speed up the process of completely cleaning the windows.
4. Acetone and solvents can remove shine from some types of plastic during processing, so it is better to test the product on an inconspicuous area before applying.
5. When carrying out work, it is necessary to ensure good ventilation, as solvents emit caustic fumes.
6. When choosing a polyurethane foam cleaner, it is better to give preference to one manufacturer’s line. So the effect of processing will be higher.

You will find useful tips and recommendations on how to remove polyurethane foam from various surfaces and objects. here.

Conclusion

You can clean polyurethane foam from plastic windows yourself. For these purposes, not only special means are suitable, but also drugs that are already available in the household or in the first aid kit.