Recommendations from experts on how to remove polyurethane foam from a metal door

When installing an entrance door, you always have to use foam. Careless handling of building material leads to the fact that some of it ends up on the canvas.

If measures are not taken immediately, the composition will dry out and firmly adhere to the surface, ruining the appearance of the product.

Read the article about how to remove fresh or dried foam from a metal door using improvised and special means.

How to wash off the fresh one?

A special feature of polyurethane foam is that it hardens quickly. However, there is still time until complete polymerization. If the sealant has not yet adhered to the surface, you can remove it in the following way:

1. Putty knife. If there is a lot of foam, remove most of it with a plastic or wooden spatula, and then wipe the surface with a clean rag.
2. Paper napkin soaked in vegetable oil. Use it to wipe the areas where the foam has gotten, and then rinse it with warm water.
3. Solvent. The simplest and most accessible composition is acetone. To treat a small area, a few drops applied to a dry cloth are sufficient. If you don’t have pure acetone on hand, you can use nail polish remover.

• quality of building material,
• its composition,
• air temperature,
• environmental humidity and more.

How to remove dried ones using improvised means?

You can deal with dried material using available tools. However, weak substances are not able to soften hardened sealant. It is necessary to use concentrated formulations.

You can get rid of frozen sealant using Dimexide. This substance does not belong to the category of building materials; it is sold in pharmacies, as it is used to treat diseased joints. However, in concentrated form, Dimexide copes well with polyurethane foam.

Mode of application:

• Use a sharp knife to carefully cut off excess foam;
• a dishwashing sponge is impregnated with Dimexide;
• wipe the stain with it for 2-5 minutes;
• The softened foam is washed off with a toothbrush.

First aid is also a solvent. To treat a metal door, you can use liquid number 646 or 647.

Procedure:

1. Apply paint thinner to a dry, light-colored material.
2. Treat the stained door leaf.
3. Leave to take effect for 10 minutes.
4. Remove any remaining product along with foam.
5. Wash the door.

The use of any aggressive compounds requires protecting the skin of your hands with rubber gloves. Failure to do this can result in serious damage such as eczema or dermatitis.

Instead of Dimexide, you can use white spirit. This is an organic solvent that is obtained from oil refining. It will help to completely clean the surface of a metal door from foam, without harm to the door itself.

Mode of application:

1. A sponge or colorless material is soaked in white spirit.
2. Apply the composition to the stain and leave for 2-5 minutes.
3. Remove the softened foam with a scraper or a brush with stiff bristles.
4. Wash off any remaining building material with clean water.

You can try to remove the foam mechanically, for example, using a plastic spatula or a wooden scraper. This can be done quickly, but the result will be satisfactory only when processing a perfectly smooth surface.

If there are recesses on the door, they will be filled with foam, which cannot be removed with a spatula. The disadvantage of this method is the high probability of damaging the canvas..

You can try to dissolve the foam with vinegar essence. For treatment, use concentrated acid, since table vinegar will not be able to deal with the stain.

Procedure:

• gloves are put on hands;
• generously soak a dishwashing sponge or rag with essence;
• treat the door leaf with this composition;
• leave to act for 15 minutes;
• remove the foam with a spatula, rinse the door with clean water.

How to clean with special compounds?

You can get rid of fresh and dried foam remaining on a metal door using store-bought products. There are professional solvents on sale that were developed specifically for this purpose. Top 3 best lineups:

Kraftool KraftFlex Premium Cleaner 41189_Z01

This is a universal composition that is able to quickly and without a trace remove sealant from any surface. Its advantage is that it can be used not only for processing metal doors, but also for clothing.

The product does not contain freon. The price for a 500 ml cylinder is 125 rubles.

Stayer Profi 41139

Safe and easy to use cleaner Suitable for processing various surfaces, including metal. The composition is active against foam, but is harmless to other materials, so it can even be used for skin care.

The spray does not contain freon and does not harm the environment. Price for 500 ml – 120 rubles.

Starfix Foam Cleaner

The product is available in the form of a liquid, poured into bottles. It is under pressure and applied as a spray. It can be used to treat various surfaces. The composition is active at temperatures from -10 to +30 degrees.

Before using the cleaner for the first time, you need to read the manufacturer's instructions and find out how long it is safe to leave the product on the door. Most compounds are highly flammable, so you need to work with them away from open flame sources. Smoking is prohibited when cleaning the door. Price - 500 rub.

What should you not do and why?

To avoid harming your health and damaging the metal door during the process of removing polyurethane foam, The following recommendations must not be violated:

1. Do not use sharp spatulas or spatulas to remove foam. They can easily damage the surface. Scratches on a metal door are not the best decoration.
2. Foam should not be cleaned with abrasive powders. They leave behind abrasions.
3. A painted door should not be treated with solvent or acetone. The use of these products may damage the coating.
4. Work with aggressive substances with open doors and windows, using a respirator and gloves.

Helpful information

Recommendations to follow when removing polyurethane foam from an iron door:

1. When removing excess sealant, do not smear it on the door. If there is a lot of material, remove the excess with a spatula and only then begin to treat the surface with a rag.
2. When using aggressive agents, for example, pure acetone, it should be tested on an inconspicuous area.

   If the paintwork reacts normally to contact with the substance, proceed to full treatment.

3. The softened foam is removed from the door surface in small lumps. Therefore, the brush must be rinsed all the time. It will not be possible to clean it off in one go.
4. Remains of building material must be completely removed, otherwise it will adhere to the metal again and the cleaning procedure will have to be repeated.
5. When trying to clean a door, you should not mix different substances. Their reaction can be unpredictable, which poses a risk of harming not only the door, but also their own health.

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

Video on the topic of the article

The video will show you how to remove polyurethane foam from a metal door:

Conclusion

Removing polyurethane foam from a metal door is not difficult if you use the right products. If the sealant has not dried, mild cleaning agents come to the rescue. in the form of nail polish remover or vegetable oil.

You can deal with the set composition using more aggressive improvised or store-bought products.