Spray foam insulation?

[Zloyduh]

Hi. 

Has anyone done anything with a spray foam insulation? 

Each time I get to use it around the house, I can't help thinking if it could be used for terrain or spell effects. It could produce some fun looking shapes. 

However, it is unpredictable in the way it will cure. And that, I think, what the problem is. If I have to cut it, I might as well just start with the pink foam. Maybe use it as a filler, pretty much what it is meant for? 

 

Thanks. 

 

~Z

 

 

[Chaoswolf]

I haven't done it personally, but I have seen it used for making rock outcroppings and such. I believe it was used as a cheaper and/or more readily available alternative to insulation foam.

[lowlylowlycook]

Biggest problem is that the cans don't store well after you first use them. 

[Zloyduh]

13 hours ago, Chaoswolf said:

rock outcroppings

 

Something like this I suppose?
 

 

 

25 minutes ago, lowlylowlycook said:

Biggest problem is that the cans don't store well after you first use them. 

I became somewhat successful in this.  I disassemble the nozzle and pipe the moment I'm done with the current application.  Once everything has cured, I use a thin metal rod to clear the pipe and the nozzle.  It's good to go like new as long as I use it sooner than later.  If the used can sits for a few months, then it's usually a crap show the next time I try to use it.

Edited November 11 by Zloyduh

[ttuckerman]

I have seen DIY shows that use plastic tubing or wire sheath as a new nozzle.

[Chaoswolf]

Yes, pretty much exactly like your picture, @Zloyduh.

[chaosscorpion]

https://www.reapermini.com/craft/pieper04 

 

Check out Talespinner's craft article for making terrain with spray foam.

[Zloyduh]

19 hours ago, chaosscorpion said:

https://www.reapermini.com/craft/pieper04 

 

Check out Talespinner's craft article for making terrain with spray foam.

 

I haven't thought of making a mold. Nice. 

[MojoBob]

I've used it here and there for terrain, and also I used a bit of excess foam stuck to a large steel washer to make my Mr Blobby the Blob Monster:

 

 

A method for making hills for wargaming terrain is to fill a bucket or deep tray with sand and smooth off the top. You dig out the negative form of the hill (or whatever) that you want to create, and then cover it with some cling-film or something as a separator, and a board with a hole for the foam to squirt through clamped down over all. Then just pour or squirt the foam through the hole. The board has to be clamped, as the expanding foam exerts considerable pressure as it fills the mold space.

 

Two-part expanding foam works best, though you do have to be a bit quick about pouring it as it expands enormously as it cures, and some sort of screw-plug to fill the pouring hole is recommended so that the foam is somewhat contained. It cures very rapidly. Squirty-foam also works, but is more likely to create voids in the finished piece; it doesn't exert the same space-filling pressure as pouring foam.

 

We used this technique with fibreglass molds to make all sorts of things when I was working in the museum's display department in the late '80s-'90s.