Customer Reviews

Dow Chemical Co. 157906 Great Stuff Insulating Foam Sealant Big Gap Filler

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

-shipped out and received very quick
-sticks to surfaces well, expands a good amount and is fairly dense upon setting
-really, really, really sticky. There is a solvent to remove it mentioned on the can, but if you don't have the proper solvent to remove it before it sets handy, if it gets on your clothes it won't come off, if it gets on your hands it doesn't come off for many days (warning label says to wear gloves though), if it gets on anything you don't want it on, it will later need to be scraped or sanded off, it doesn't just easily peel off or wipe off, very difficult to remove. I'm not saying that's a bad thing for the product, just saying to watch out for those things in case they are relevant to you.
-dispensing nozzle seals itself shut after the first use, so don't expect to save the can for a future use unless you get creative
-4 stars instead of 5 because it is only one time use, it would be nice to be able to store it and use it for future uses.

I bought two cans of this foam because I wasn't sure if the regular (thin for doors) spray foam would give me the kind of coverage I wanted. With great trepidation, based on the other reviews left here, I tried to be as prepared as possible. When I used the first can, I made a plastic apron out of a tall, kitchen trash bag. (The major complaint was how sticky it was.) I made gloves out of grocery store plastic bags. I DID NOT HAVE ONE SINGLE PROBLEM! NOT ONE! I don't do DIY. Years ago I found a a young women - Jill of All Trades - she comes when I call and fixes things, puts together furniture, change locks, goes to the hardware store. I'm an idiot. So if I can do this, what are others doing to cause so many problems. If too much foam came out or I wanted it elsewhere, I used either my hand to spread it or smushed it where I wanted it to go OR better yet I used that skinny little spray nozzle as a "the metal thing used to put up drywall spackle." Worked perfectly. I had a great time playing with the stuff. DID YOU SEE THE REVIEW/COMMENT BY THE LITTLE BOY WHO USED THIS PRODUCT TO MAKE AN ICE CHEST??? Apparently, he had no problem either.

The second time I used the product I kinda when crazy with it. I plugged another hole and one thing I learned from last time is that sometime when you decide you need to spray more, most often it is just right or too much. I only needed a tiny amount this time so I kinda went crazy and plugged up random holes (cracks) outside. When that exhausted me, I went in the house and spread out large sheets of wax paper and plastic wrap where I proceeded to write out all the names of my nieces. I hoped that when the letters dried, my mom could paint them while at the senior center. I'm hoping that they will accept color so they can be hung on bedroom doors.

You'll never believe this, you know that each letter peeled right off both sheets. Smoothly off plastic wrap, tiny tug needed on wax paper.

NOW! LET ME HELP YOU TROUBLE SHOOT!
If you're nervous or unsure or have just never piped any material. Go buy tube frosted icing and practice. Watch the frosting bead out.
Keep a very light touch on nozzle. A light touch allows you to quickly stop and reproportion what is to thick or too much. Spread it around quickly. Scrap off immediately while moist and it will go exactly where you want it. Use your hand, plastic knifes, $0.25 knifes from dollar store. Whatever.
Oh, yeah I used more of this spray foam on my food scrap/compost can to make a tighter seal. I have a very sensitive nose. Worked perfectly.

PROTECTION
Use blue tape to lay down some type of paper to avoid and catch spills. You need to have a place to put excess foam you scrape off.
I did not wear gloves the second time b/c there weren't needed. I did manage to get a little bit on one fingernail. I immediately ran to the sink and it washed right off.
I wondered if simple oil would be a way to let you touch this stuff while you're applying it. I didn't get a chance to test this theory but if it doesn't stick to plastic, why would it stick to an oily surface?

If you lay down a covering of paper, I can't understand how its STICKINESS COULD EVER BE A PROBLEM???

Lastly, I'm a perfectionist and I would not use it in a house if you are too and you like things a certain way. I would only use this in a house, if I cut away any excess after it dried, and applied something over it that would accept paint. This stuff dries a creamy yellow color that I don't like. And, I did try a serrated knife on the foam, it cut through as easy as pie. I wonder if it could also be sanded gently.

And, I'm a 44 yr old female w/no DIY experience.

This is the most handy stuff you can get for filling up cracks/holes, and major gaps. I used this to fill up holes that mice had been crawling through under my sink and around my cupboards. If applied correctly, you can fill VERY big gaps with this stuff, I was able to fill crevices about 1/2 inch thick, to big gaping holes about 7inches wide. It's cheap, disposable, just what any wannabe handyman needs ;-)

Mice can't eat through it, and if they did...i'm sure they'd die (sorry mickey!).

i used in several countries different type foams, as now i live in Toronto Canada, greatstuff is the ONLY available brand in home depot for about $9 / can... so for the last year i was using it often do to lack of choice, i have to honestly say although it does the purpose this is the worst construction foam i have ever used... from the last 4 cans, 1 exploded all over my hand and part of my face at 1st try, 1 had no pressure, one the handle broke off at 1st try but it still worked with a little play around, 1 was fine ... add to that that im used to buy same quantity at hardware stores in the US and EU for about $2 a can ... so more then 80% less for same quantity... then i might add that the expansion, dry-time is sufficient, but not even close to the "cheaper" brands i used to buy... today i would had to finished a job so i got a can and that was the one with no pressure.. now i have to wait till tomorrow to get an other can of this low grade and expensive product while im falling behind the deadline .... im NOT happy, and if you have a choice (unlike me) avoid this brand

COME ON Dow, Can't you make something better than this? Every time I end up using this stuff I end up regretting it. It is extremely unforgiving and seems that no matter how much I prep and protect stuff around it, wear gloves, careful not to touch it gets on something and is nearly impossible to remove. It is messy, extremely difficult to work with and sort of has a mind of its own (just kind of spreads however it wants with very little control). My thought is that this formula must cost Dow next to nothing to make because I can't figure out why they can't make a more workable and forgiving product.

I would try to use any other method possible unless I really have to use this. This stuff shouldn't even be sold to regular customers, it's a prescription for disaster. The can doesn't need instructions it needs warnings. You can prep and use all sorts or precautions but is still a PITA!

I think this reviewer said it best . . . .

"Impossible to work with. Only suitable for new construction BEFORE you have ANY finish surfaces. Won't stay where you put it, gets on your hands, on your clothes, on your walls, on your floors, on your furniture. Next to impossible to remove with anything short of gasoline. Simply evil. And yes, I've been a carpenter for 40 years. I'd rather have air leaks."

i used this to fill a couple of holes with this and it works good except on the label it tells to use acetone to remove from surfaces and mechanically comes off the skin. i read some of the other reviews and this crap does not come off easily. on the front of the bottle needs to read WEAR FULL BODY SUIT OR SOMETHING because this crap takes days and days to remove. i scrubed on my hands 8 hrs straight and i still have it on my hands and your skin comes off before the product does

Bought several cans of this a few years ago and had two of them fail to dispense properly. Just appeared to clog up before you were able to use the product. Too expensive to throw away but HD wouldn't take it back.