When installing spray and pour-in-place polyurethane foams, the first and foremost thing to be aware of is temperature. Even the most expertly planned job can turn out badly if incorrect temperatures are ignored during spraying. Nothing hurts the bottom line like having to redo a job or having to tear out the first attempt because of poor results.

Spray Foam is Sensitive to Temperature

Incorrect temperatures lead to off-ratios and can mean that areas are not properly covered and sealed. Foam that is correctly mixed will not shrink over time and will give a good yield. Poorly mixed foam will invariably lead to costly complications.

There are two components that combine to create spray foam, and they are pulled into a mixing gun via two tube lines. They combine in the mixing chamber of a spray gun, and the result that sprays out is foam.

Having these chemicals too hot will make them runny and the resulting mix will spray out too fast. Kits stored in hot temperatures have a shorter shelf life and can be dangerous.

Chemicals that are too cold will be thicker and the resulting mix will move slowly and combine incorrectly. These chemicals will take longer to condition and get back up to temperature and will most likely need to be agitated to repair the separation that has occurred in the can/bottle.

All polyurethane foams are sensitive to temperature. Temperature requirements will vary product to product, but regardless of the foam being low or high pressure, one component or two component, there will always be a temperature range that needs to be worked to.

Prevent Waste and Failure with ColorWise™ Temperature Warning Nozzles

ColorWise™ Temperature Warning Nozzles are designed to visually warn you when your spray foam is too cold to spray. It takes three times longer to warm foam up to the correct temperature needed than it does to cool it down.

Solutions like heated hose systems and warming wraps can help keep the temperature high enough, but you need an effective warning system if temperatures fall below optimal range.

The ColorWise™ Temperature Warning Nozzle is normally clear, but in cold temperatures the mixing chamber will turn blue. If chemical temperatures are too low, the color change will occur within ten seconds of spraying. Once the foam temperature is adjusted, spraying the hotter foam should make the chamber go back to clear after ten seconds of spraying.

The human brain translates visual cues simultaneously — the opposite of how it translates language. What that means is that our minds treat visual information differently, and faster, than the spoken word. Having a color change warning system means a faster reaction time than having someone try to verbally tell you to stop spraying – especially on an already loud and busy work site.

Always remember that the surface youre spraying needs to be the right temperature as well, so avoid spraying anything with a surface temperature below 40°F or over 100°F.

Using patent-pending technology, our ColorWise™ Temperature Warning Nozzle can help you maximize your yield and get an even, well-mixed spray. These nozzles are a low-cost, high-benefit solution to temperature concerns and will ultimately lead to higher quality jobs.

Learn more about ColorWize™ Nozzles