Foam insulation removal

[ole farmerbuck]

I had our 40x80 and 31x70 house insulated with foam but the guy got overspray all over the shop floor. Any idea how to get it off of the concrete. I've tried paint thinner,muratic acid, and carb cleaner. I dont think the stains will ever come out and just scraping the spots is a nightmare. What a mess. Hopefully someone here will have the answer.

 

[jdonovan]

I had our 40x80 and 31x70 house insulated with foam but the guy got overspray all over the shop floor. Any idea how to get it off of the concrete. I've tried paint thinner,muratic acid, and carb cleaner. I dont think the stains will ever come out and just scraping the spots is a nightmare. What a mess. Hopefully someone here will have the answer.

I assume you've gotten the foam off, but now find the concrete itself is stained?

 

[cuoffroad]

I don't know of any chemicals and don't know how big the "spots" are but how about a hand held orbital sander (would beat scraping). Just go real easy when you get close to the floor. Maybe off the wall thinking but sometimes that's just how my mind works. :laughing:

 

[ole farmerbuck]

I assume you've gotten the foam off, but now find the concrete itself is stained?

I cant get the foam off without scraping with razor blades which is a lot of work and takes a lot of blades. I need something to disolve the foam.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

I did hand sand a spot yesterday and it helped but isnt getting it all.

 

[jdonovan]

from one manufactures web site:

Can I dissolve this foam once it has fully cured?

No. This foam is designed to be completely solvent resistant once cured. Gasoline and acetone will not cause any destruction of this foam. Please prepare ahead of time by covering any objects/areas that you do not want to come in contact with this highly adhesive product. If you do happen to spill some foam and it cures you will have to either sand or scrape the product away.


Which is what I recalled about it.... Once it cures, you've got to use abrasion (sanding/grinding/pressure washing) to get rid of it.

 

[deepNdirt]

I did hand sand a spot yesterday and it helped but isnt getting it all.

So have you let it sit and cure? if anything it should have harden and scrap right up, of course the area in which it was on will have soaked in and left a discolored spot,
How long has the cement been cured?
about the only way to get a stain out from something like this foam would be to as mentioned sand it out, you can rent a motorized cement sander/buffer with abrasive stones, or if it is small area's perhaps sand blasting them....

 

[grsthegreat]

How can I remove foam from clothing, carpet or other surfaces?
If the foam has not cured (it is still moist), it may be removed by wiping with a clean, dry cloth or by using acetone (or nail polish remover containing acetone). Do not use soap and water as moisture helps to cure foam. No solvent will remove cured (dry) foam. If the foam has already cured (itç—´ firm and dry), it cannot be removed from clothing, upholstery or carpets. Cured foam may be trimmed, scraped or sanded from rigid surfaces; however, this may result in a need to repaint or re-stain the surface.
Note: Always test a hidden area before applying acetone to any surface, as damage may result.

 

[2manyrocks]

If it is cured, my guess is it will clog sandpaper. It would be a mess, but I suppose you could remove it with a wire brush on an angle grinder (wearing eye and breathing protection).

Another possible thought might be one of those flat edge floor scrapers designed for removing vinyl floors from wood or maybe a combination of the scraper and the grinder.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

I got a bunch of razor sctapers today. The problem is that I was wanting to seal the concrete and or paint some of it. The sealer wont go through this stuff. The cement is 2 months old. I might try a brass brush on an angle grinder. What a mess. Had I known this was going to happen, I would have made the guy tarp the floor.
The guy that did the cement said not to take a pressure washer to it cause it might take the top smooth surface off the cement.