I often use commercial spray foam for sealing around pipes, windows and other odd-shaped holes in walls. This kind of small job makes me think that I won’t make a mess, so I don’t need to wear rubber gloves.
On the rare occasion when I have managed to get the stuff on my hands, I’ve tried to clean it off with mineral spirits, which are recommended by the foam manufacturers. Mineral spirits work well within about a minute of spraying the foam, but once the foam gets tacky, mineral spirits are less effective. I’ve found a better solvent to be the carburetor/choke cleaner that you can buy in auto-supply and hardware stores. I find it works well up to 10 minutes after spraying the foam. Of course, all spray foams carry the warning: “Avoid prolonged or repeated exposure to skin,” so protective gloves and clothing are the best advice. But for the occasional mishap, when mineral spirits won’t work, the carburetor cleaner might be the answer.
Robert Pauley, Decatur, GA
