Remove Dried-on Spray Foam from Metal Objects the Easy Way
Everyone in the Spray Foam industry has experienced at least some overspray on their equipment and sometimes on other items they didn’t intend to get it on. It’s inevitable and unavoidable. Some contractors are great at keeping everything clean, but it’s not easy. Keeping machines, spray guns and other items clean of spray foam takes time and work. Some use a spray release product, corncob blasting, soak items in chemical products, or grind off the old foam. So, what else works well that is cheap and easy to use? The answer: Mineral oil. Not mineral spirits, but mineral oil. There is a big difference.
How Well Does it Work?
Spray Foam Insider got this tip from a long-time equipment engineer, and we put it to the test. We asked an experienced contractor to clean an old flush pot that had foam sitting on it for several years. First, he used a soft cloth to apply the mineral oil. The mineral oil was left on for a few minutes. Next, he used a soft wire wheel that attached to a drill to buff it out. “Using mineral oil made a big difference. I didn’t have to work that hard to get the flush pot looking almost new again. Thanks for the tip!,” he said.
Side view (L) showing top before. Top view (R) of flush pot after using mineral oil
Is Mineral Oil Safe to Use?
Mineral oil is a hydrocarbon compound also known as paraffin oil, liquid petrolatum, white mineral oil and Nujol. Many people use mineral oil on their skin to relieve dryness. It’s used on babies as a moisturizer, and it’s in other moisturizing products of all kinds. It is basically non-toxic when used in small quantities. When used in larger quantities, it is advisable to treat mineral oil as you would any other chemical. Use a face mask and gloves to prevent irritation to the skin and lungs.
What’s the Difference Between Mineral Oil and Baby Oil?
The difference between mineral oil and baby oil is that baby oil has had a fragrance added to it.
How Much Does it Cost?
A 32-ounce bottle of mineral oil can be purchased for around $7.00 at department stores like Walmart and Target, at pharmacies, and hardware stores. A 16-ounce bottle of baby oil sells for around $2.00. A gallon of mineral oil can be ordered from chemical suppliers for around $25.00. If you shop around, you may find it cheaper than this.
A 32-ounce bottle of mineral oil can be purchased for around $7.00 at department stores like Walmart and Target, at pharmacies, and hardware stores. A 16-ounce bottle of baby oil sells for around $2.00. A gallon of mineral oil can be ordered from chemical suppliers for around $25.00. If you shop around, you may find it cheaper than this.
What Other Things Can be Cleaned with Mineral Oil?
This experiment used mineral oil to clean metal only. Could it work on other types of over-sprayed materials or surfaces? We wonder; however, if mineral oil could be used to clean foam overspray on surfaces like concrete, vinyl, wood, plastic, or other surfaces. If you decide to experiment with mineral oil, try it on a small area to see how effective it is, and let us know. See our contact information below. We are not advocating the use of mineral oil on the inside of any parts or equipment, as we have not performed any of these experiments to confirm its safe use in this way. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning the internal parts and surfaces of your equipment.
Doing Our Part to Help Contractors Save Money
You and your company could be posted in our next newsletter! We would love to hear from other contractors that put mineral oil to the test. Contact us at info@sprayfoaminsider.com