2 part foam and vertical surfaces

[RCR]

What is the best method for using 2-part foam on a vertical surface? I'd like to use this stuff, but I don't want to cover the floor with it.

Bob

[CARBUILDER]

>>> need more details .. is this an enclosed vertical surface or open vertical surface ??
are you trying to spray foam your walls to insulate them ?

[MacGyver]

Bob,

I’m assuming your trying to use foam to shape a vertical body panel

In my experience, there really isn’t a great way to do it without wasting a lot of foam. I generally just use pieces of cardboard to lightly direct the foam into the area I want without letting too much of it spill onto the floor. The more you disturb it while it’s curing the more uneven the deniably will be. Which makes it hard to shape later on with sandpaper for an even surface.

[txbuilder]

Yes, you need to create a box of cardboard or thin, rigid plastic sheet to contain the foam when you mix and pour it. Really no other way to do it and get a consistent foam density that can be worked with.

[RCR]

Thanx guys. Kind of what I thought. From what I've read, multiple pours will be needed also.

Is there a preferred not stick surface to use on the "box", or just cut it off?

Carbuilder: it's the rear section of my 308 build, currently open, and pourable foam (not spray).

Bob

[txbuilder]

If you use plastic sheet that is flexible enough to form whatever curves you need you can wax the surface of it and it will peel right off when the foam is set.

[RCR]

Packing tape seems to work very well, too.

[CARBUILDER]

Depending on how strong an expandable foam your using you can try this....
use double sided tape to outline the outside of the area your going to foam then cover that area with a heavy thickness of plastic sheeting leaving it loose to allow for expansion to the depth of foam you want. Inject the foam and it should stick, expand and not fall all over your garage floor. Kind of a poor mans vacuum bagging.

[RCR]

It's a pain in the butt to do pour-foam vertical. You may just want to make a cardboard form and pour it horizontally, then strip off the cardboard and cut to fit the space you want. Although I have found it to be insanely cheaper and easier to use the pink foam from Home Depot.

It is a PITA, but I've had it with sheet foam and glue: RCR's body mods... - Pennock's Fiero Forum
My local HD/Lowes/Menards no longer carries the brand I originally used and poly foam is out if I have to coat it before doing a layup.

Carbuilder: I pondered doing it that way, but I think it's just as much setup as doing it with cardboard, and cardboard provides a little more "control" on the final shape.

Bob

[CARBUILDER]

Carbuilder: I pondered doing it that way, but I think it's just as much setup as doing it with cardboard, and cardboard provides a little more "control" on the final shape. Bob

OK then this is your fall back method -- Prepare a Styrofoam cooler (cheap at Walmart) - fill with ice and your favorite beverage ( I prefer Canadian beer).
Step 2 is to spray the expandable 2 part foam all over the vertical surface to the depth and shape you want. Just go for it and make one hell of a mess.
After all the shaping and sanding is done to your liking (further adding to the mess) crack open the cooler and have a beer. Now wasn't that a lot more fun....

[RCR]

OK then this is your fall back method -- Prepare a Styrofoam cooler (cheap at Walmart) - fill with ice and your favorite beverage ( I prefer Canadian beer).
Step 2 is to spray the expandable 2 part foam all over the vertical surface to the depth and shape you want. Just go for it and make one hell of a mess.
After all the shaping and sanding is done to your liking (further adding to the mess) crack open the cooler and have a beer. Now wasn't that a lot more fun....

Sounds good, but this stuff is not sprayable. I'll chill a bottle of Patron, too...

Bob

[CARBUILDER]

Sounds good, but this stuff is not sprayable. I'll chill a bottle of Patron, too...Bob

Take an empty large plastic bottle of pop (Coke/Pepsi) - drill a 1/4" hole in the bottle cap... fill with your two part foam.
Very quickly screw on the cap and shake bottle then hold on tight and aim for the area to be foamed.
Hence instant spray foam and hope your aim is good. LOL

[dobie44]

Hi Bob
what I used on mine was duct tape(foam doesn't stick as much)on the cardboard (foam side), for the vertical panels. I just attached the cardboard boxes(cardboard has good strength) where I wanted them (make them as thin or thick as you need the pour) poured multiple layers to vertical depth you need. I find a orbital sander 60grit works great to do the rough sanding then the board to the finished level.

[RCR]

Thx Wayne... Packing tape is a bit cheaper than duct tape and I have more of it, otherwise it does the same thing. Glad we're on the same page.

I think I have the method down, now I need time to work on it.