Remving expanding f...
 

[Closed] Remving expanding foam from glass - any tips?

10 Posts
9 Users
0 Reactions
799 Views
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Just finished sealing round a skylight with some expanding foam and wondered what the best way to remove it from the glass was?

Any tips gratefully received


 
Posted : 31/08/2012 10:35 am
Posts: 17970
Full Member
 

brand new razor blades, patience and elbow grease.


 
Posted : 31/08/2012 10:39 am
Posts: 31206
Full Member
 

I'd use a Stanley knife blade with a bit of tape wrapped around the top so it can be held [i]almost[/i] flat against the glass.

If you can find the ones with the rounded ends (try the Stanley website) then that'll make sure you don't scratch the glass.


 
Posted : 31/08/2012 10:41 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Acetone and / or those flat blades you get for stanley knives.

How dried in is it?

#Beaten to it!


 
Posted : 31/08/2012 10:41 am
Posts: 31056
Free Member
 

Mechanical I'm afraid. Razor or Stanley blades. There are some wipes you can get too - but i only ever get them from a trade counter so couldnt point you in the right direction. It helps if they're the type that have one "abrasive" side - and that orangey citrusy smell. I'm speaking from years of experience of using foam - and having to use pumice to get it off my hands.


 
Posted : 31/08/2012 10:44 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

It's been on a couple hours so is starting to set quite hard.

Is it best to get in now or wait until its fully cured?


 
Posted : 31/08/2012 10:46 am
Posts: 23005
Full Member
 

If it does end up cured then either screwfix or tool station sell something called "foam eater". Before it's set wd40 can be good at getting it off tools and hands, as something more likely to be to hand maybe try a spot with that before its fully set


 
Posted : 31/08/2012 11:09 am
 piha
Posts: 729
Free Member
 

Don't touch the foam before it goes hard then you might be lucky and be able to scrape it off when dry. If you start trying to remove it beforehand you will struggle to get it off a finished surface.IME.


 
Posted : 31/08/2012 11:15 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Try some nail varnish remover.


 
Posted : 31/08/2012 11:19 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

You can get glass scrapers, they basically support a regular Stanley blade or a larger blade and give you a handle to hold so you don't rip your fingers to shreds. They don't cost much and are great for things like paint and expanding foam. As others have said let it dry and it'll be easier to get it off.


 
Posted : 31/08/2012 11:56 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Glass scraper, nail varnish remover and elbow grease = job done 😀

Note to self, mask off glass if I ever do it again.

Thanks for the tips, it was a £1200 skylight and my trousers were brown for a little while.


 
Posted : 31/08/2012 1:43 pm