Spray Foam Kits

[CRL]

Has anyone tried using this for scenery base construction? https://www.rhhfoamsystems.com

[Jbub]

Those are way expensive. The biggest problem you'd have is they are super messy. PPE is a must, full tyvek suit with hood, gloves, respirator with a face shield and shoes that your are willing to throw away. Also if you stop for more than a minute you have to change the mixing nozzle because the chemicals start to cure that quick.

[DKS]

You're better off just buying a few cans of Great Stuff--but even then, there's very little control over its application and, in particular, its expansion. And it's still messy as all hell.

[davefoxx]

You're better off just buying a few cans of Great Stuff--but even then, there's very little control over its application and, in particular, its expansion. And it's still messy as all hell.

I did this to fill an awkward void of foam scraps on the Seaboard Central 2.0.  It worked, but I was reeeeeeeeally careful.  I wouldn't even consider trying to use spray foam to form all of my scenic landforms.

DFF

[C855B]

I've been using spray foam products on the layout over the past year or so in a limited capacity. Take a look starting here in my layout engineering thread: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=26087.msg567603#msg567603 . Be sure to heed my notes about brands and characteristics. The DAP foam's uncontrolled expansion resulted in destruction of "finished" work.

The foam kit linked by the OP in the first post, intended for primary insulation, is a nonstarter. Expensive, messy in a damaging way, and not casual to use (bunny suits). It's intended for rough-in construction.

I'm continuing to experiment. I have the Great Stuff "pro" kit now, with the intent to use it for gaps in the pink foam and maybe fillets along the fascia. Haven't used it yet since I'm getting great results with pink foam, contouring tool and lightweight spackling. But the advice of "door and window" versus "gap filler" still holds. Experiment off the layout. Also, one test section with the "door and window" version revealed it is unlikely to be viable for profiles you need to tool - too spongy. It's great for the added support as demonstrated in the layout thread, however.

Also useful discussion of foams in this thread: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=41575.0

[DKS]

But the advice of "door and window" versus "gap filler" still holds.

That's "blue" (door and window) versus "red" (gap filler) cans. Recent releases have application straws that can (theoretically) be plugged for re-use if you don't use the whole can at once. No idea if this actually works. And a professional applicator will set you back some $50.

 

[C855B]

I use enough over time to justify the $50 applicator. F'rinstance, the new building needs to be sealed around the base to help keep mice out, using the pest-controlling foam. The key advantages it has are you aren't immediately tossing partially-used cans, there is an easy clean-out system, and control is far superior to the regular DIY can.

I'm skeptical, too, about capping the straws. Maybe it helps it from setting-up in the tube during a lunch break. Once you've started using a can of the single-use product, you're committed to using the whole thing in two or three days, and that's provided you clean the tube after each use. (Flushing with acetone, BTW. Doesn't take much to clean it.)

[CRL]

Good information. Thanks.