Effective ways, how and how to clean the foam from plastic windows

In the process of installing plastic windows, polyurethane foam is used. Its task is reliable sealing.

Due to the specifics of the application of the material, even experienced craftsmen have a 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 homemade recipes.

We will tell you about how to clean fresh and old polyurethane foam from plastic windows in the article.

What to do with fresh?

Polyurethane foam - it is polyurethane, which provides high-quality sound and heat insulation... In the process of applying (blowing out cavities), the sealant expands, filling all recesses and holes.

Fresh, just applied, the composition is soft and pliable, tending to expand and reliably fill all cavities. In air, it hardens quickly enough, in a few hours.

The following home methods are suitable:

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

Alternatively, you can use special cleaning products designed to clean your construction gun. The selected solvent allows you to remove the mass that has not yet set without effort. To do this, the rags are soaked in the selected composition and the stained part of the plastic window is wiped off.

If the mark is large, then the rag is replaced with a clean one in the process of scrubbing the foam.... The use of sharp objects and dry rags for a viscous mass is not effective, as it leads to smearing of the composition.

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

How to remove an old one at hand?

Foam dried on a plastic window needs to be removed in several steps. Its main volume must be removed mechanically - cut with a sharp object such as a utility knife, spatula or scraper. Care must be taken not to accidentally damage the surface of the window itself.

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

Vinegar

To clean the window, vinegar is used undiluted. It is applied for 5-10 minutes for exposure. Remove with a sponge.

Vegetable oil

Vegetable oil can be used to soften frozen 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 itself on the treated area.

The greasy residue from the oil is washed off then with any detergentintended for cleaning windows. The use of oil is ineffective without first cutting off a thick layer of foam.

Dimexide

Pharmacy agent Dimexid can be used unconventionally - to eliminate polyurethane foam. The best results are obtained when the contamination is small and forms a thin layer on the surface.

Procedure:

1. A solvent is applied to the remaining foam.
2. Spread it over the stained area with a brush.
3. Withstand literally a couple of minutes.
4. Remove the softened mass with a damp cloth.

The use of 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. Such a 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 market of goods.

Kudo Foam Remover

Foam Remover is a remover of cured polyurethane foam. The drug is intended to eliminate the polyurethane composition from plastic, metal and other surfaces that have 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 tool is designed to remove polyurethane foam from a wide range of types of surfaces. The kit comes with a spatula and a brush for ease of use.

Soudal is suitable for cleaning frames, window sills and glass. Do not use the remover on brass, copper and 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 the treatment of window frames, window sills and glass... The product is based on acetone.

Polynor is applied by spraying to the stained area of ​​the plastic window. The cost is about 200 rubles per bottle.

Features of removing traces from various sections of the window structure

The approach to removing polyurethane foam from windows should take into account exactly which surface the contamination turned out to be. The approach to cleaning is adjusted depending on the type of material.

Glass

It is better to remove the sealant from glass after hardening.... The main mass is carefully cut, avoiding scratching on the glass.

Window sill

The sill of plastic windows can be made of ceramics, plastic or wood. For PVC surfaces, treatment with Dimexide and special solvents of polyurethane foam is suitable. Ceramic window sills "like a stone" can be cleaned with any of the means, home and professional.

But if the surface is wooden and varnished, the use of such products is prohibited.In this case, the removal of the foam 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 for the moment when the sealant has already stopped getting dirty, but has not yet hardened.

If the foam is frozen on the lacquered windowsill, you will have to use a salt solution:

1. A glass of water is poured into a bowl.
2. Add 1 tbsp. l. salt.
3. Stir.
4. The solution is applied to the affected area of ​​the windowsill.
5. Stand for 5 minutes.
6. Wipe off the mark with a wet sponge.

If all the above methods did not help to clean the varnished surface, you will have to grind the window sill and open it again with varnish.

Plastic

It is recommended to clean the plastic at the joints after the polyurethane mass has solidified. It is better to scrape it off not with a metal, but with a plastic spatula. 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 involving blowing out cavities around the perimeter of the window should not be carried out with bare hands. Non-cured foam is able to 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 vigorous and vigorous, as there is a risk of damaging the base material.
3. Solvents should not be selected experimentally to remove foam, as this risks damaging the window itself. Purchased products should be designed for processing plastic surfaces.
4. The use of mechanical grinding with sandpaper is not advisable as there is a risk of surface damage.
5. When removing non-frozen mass, it is necessary to avoid smearing it, since it will be much more difficult to clean a large area.

Expert recommendations

In order for the work on the removal of polyurethane foam from a plastic window to proceed without unpleasant surprises, it is advisable to adhere to the following tips from professionals:

1. The more the surface is moistened, the stronger the bond between the sealant and the base becomes. To minimize the chance of staining windows, they must be dry.
2. The use of foam should be carried out strictly according to the instructions for the preparation.
3. Pre-stripping with removal of the bulk of the foam will help speed up the process of complete window cleaning.
4. Acetone and solvents can remove the gloss from some types of plastic during processing, so it is better to test the drug on an inconspicuous area before applying.
5. Ensure good ventilation during work, as solvents give off corrosive fumes.
6. When choosing a foam cleaner, it is better to give preference to one line of the manufacturer. So the effect of processing will be higher.

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

Conclusion

You can clean the 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 medicine cabinet.