spray insulation.

[chazwood]

Having bought 20 cans of foam to fill in some floor voids.....I'm thinkin', someone has to have this stuff a little cheaper.

A search brought up this "Handy foam" company where you buy two barbecue propane looking bottles and spray the stuff yourself......I'm thinking this has to be cheaper than the pros. Anyone out there tried the "Handy Foam"? http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.fomo.com/handi-foam-two-component.aspx&revid=351378018&sa=X&oi=revisions_inline&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&usg=AFQjCNHNpC0ORNBaae47Ks0dRZhDxXcAFg


gee... thats a buss size link no?

[JohnEd]

Chaz,

I saw similar stuff a while back and I computed the cost of the bottles and having pros do it.  You work with the volume in a coach and in the bottle.  For me it worked out to almost three times the cost to do it myself.  Maybe things have changed and I did not check the price of Handi Foam.

John

[Tenor]

Chaz,
You should look for a professional.  Call around your area for contractors that do this.  Be aware that there are at least 2 kinds of spray foam.  Here is a link with a great description.

Tenor, Could not get the hyper link to work. Can you please post again or send to me in an IM and I will insert it here. Driving Miss Lazy



You do not want to use the product called "Icynene".  This is an open cell product that was meant to be cheaper than closed cell, but it seems to be costing just as much here in Michigan.  The open cell stuff can break down, especially in a moving vehicle!

As for cost, I found a  contractor here in Michigan who sprayed enough to cover the original bus ribs (1.5") and went from above the panels that are under the windows, and over the bus.  He also hit the rear cap.  We did our best to fill in the cavities without really overspraying to reduce waste and shaving.  He charged me $650 and I drove the bus to his workshop.  I am very happy with the job he did.  Another friend of mine used him first and he had 3 inches put in and had it oversprayed to make sure once shaved down it was a full 3 inches deep.  He also did the whole bus.  I understand EVERYTHING had been removed in preparation.  For that job, the same contractor charged $1500.

The spray foam really is the best way to go.  My bus is so much quieter!  And I have had no problem bringing it up to 70 plus degrees on below freezing days with a propane sunflower 8k BTU heater. 

Do a search on this board and BNO and you will find lots more info.  Good luck!

Fixed hyperlink DML

Try this link:  http://www.sprayfoam.com/spps/ahpg.cfm?spgid=6

[Melbo]

I bought my bus partially converted and it has some spay foam installed (handi foam) by the PO.

I bought one set of the handi foam to try and finish up the job.

The kit cost about 500 and did one third of the bus. I did some math and figured it would take about 1000 to finish the job.

for about that same money (1000) I found a professional spray foam company and they came out and did it on site.

The professional foam is MUCH harder than the handi foam.

Be sure to mask everything really well.  For any 12 or 24 volt wires you want to embed in the foam put a plastic pipe over the end of the wire and that way you can find the wires when you are done foaming.

That will also help so you don't scuff or cut the wire when trimming the foam.

Hope this helps.

Melbo

[HighTechRedneck]

Be sure to mask everything really well.  For any 12 or 24 volt wires you want to embed in the foam put a plastic pipe over the end of the wire and that way you can find the wires when you are done foaming.

That will also help so you don't scuff or cut the wire when trimming the foam.

Hope this helps.

Melbo

If one were to put 12/24 volt wires within the foam, it seems like it would be a good idea to run the whole wire inside of some small smooth tubing slightly larger than the wires.  Sort of a mini conduit.  That way if you ever have to replace the wires, you could pull them through rather than have to create an alternate route.

[Hartley]

One note on the handi-foam and similar kits.

The temperatures must be up in the 80's or higher and the tanks must be warm to the touch or the foam will not expand properly.

Whatever they state in board feet never actually works out in reality because your would have to be an expert in application and the temperatures must be perfect to get even near to the stated coverage.

These kits work fine for small stuff under ideal conditions and if you can figure out how to make them work. Otherwise I would avoid using the kits because you will use 2 or more just to get reasonable coverage and thats because by the time you get the hang of spraying the tanks are empty and you have to start over again.

The HOT foam that the pros use is better all around and will cover everything consistently, The small kits are good for patch jobs but are expensive if you make mistakes.

My Thoughts... Dave...