Thread: Spray Foam Insulation for project.

Okay fellas, I need a bit of help choosing materials for a project. Do any of you have experience with spray foam insulation?

If this would be better suited for "The Conversation" section, it is at the Mod's discretion to move it.

I have a Pontiac '06 G6 GT that is missing the dual cup holder insert for the middle console. (Will add pics for reference). Due to the discontinued nature of Pontiac, this item is understandably scarce. I plan on giving a few junk yards a call to see if their paper inventory has some G6's not part of the inventory I searched on their website.

The MaCGyver part of my brain has been slowly spit-balling on this pretty much since I bought the car off my mother-in-law. I think, with a large dose of ingenuity, some spray foam insulation and/or sealant would be great to make a replacement insert. Should be cheaper than an OEM part that I probably won't find. It will have the added benefit of insulating my drinks. Most importantly: it will keep said beverages from turning into a frackin Weeble Wobble every time I take a damn turn! Thankfully, no major spills... yet *knocks on wood*.

The plan for the project will be to line the console with something (saran wrap? Modge Podge Mold-Release? Vaseline?) where the cup holder insert goes, then spray the stuff in. I might use one of our larger cups/glasses (also lined/coated for easy removal) to form the "relief" part. There will obviously be post-set trimming. Gonna lay down some saran wrap or tin foil around the area to keep from making a mess.

So I need recommendations for a spray foam insulation and/or sealant for my latest "over engendered Spit-ball".
Looking for:
* Can be bought at brick & mortar stores.
* On the lower end of expansion amount (I know some make a bead, while others blow up like a Styrofoam balloon).
* Canned. Cause mixing chems is too much work for this.

Got any suggestions?

Pics pulled from around the net (don't own, using for educational reference purposes only):


The middle console. The orange bit is a lighting mod, I believe, not original. But this is basically what my cup holder looks like right now.


The insert.


Another view of the insert.

I look forward to your thoughtful responses!

This could be interesting - so I'm just posting to make it easier to follow...

I've used to insulate in confined spaces. Otherwise it's practically uncontrollably. Your idea sounds like a really bad one unless you line the whole interior of you car with Saran Wrap. I'd just jam foam rubber drink coozies in there and trim them off.

I have used the "great stuff" foam in a can many times for sealing cracks and holes in my attic and outside storage building. It works well, but expands quite a bit. However, it is also easy to sand and cut...
I would very carefully cover EVERYTHING in the area where you are working, because if it touches any type of cloth you are finished! Seal it up and let it expand out, then sand it down the next day!
I have never tried it in my car, but the last little project I did was a window. I covered the walls and shot it in, and then cut off the excess the next day Dont get impatient or it will be tacky and you will make a huge mess.
Good luck, and post some after pics!

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

I've used to insulate in confined spaces. Otherwise it's practically uncontrollably. Your idea sounds like a really bad one unless you line the whole interior of you car with Saran Wrap. I'd just jam foam rubber drink coozies in there and trim them off.

The crazy expansion of this stuff is a concern...

* On the lower end of expansion amount (I know some make a bead, while others blow up like a Styrofoam balloon).

Also, I'd use a dab at a time until I got the feel for it. I just lack the experience with it to know which to choose from.

Spray Foam Insulation In Store - The Home Depot

I would not use spray foam for that job. It is not really going to do what you want. Ideally you would mix up some latex for making moulds. I would expect it to be available at large craft stores. My second choice would be silicone.

^^^^ What Shaun said

I just finished building a new pumphouse for the well and used the low expansion Great Stuff for insuring there were ZERO air leaks... Worked awesome

There is simply no way I would get it near any type of cloth/leather/vinyl it just does NOT come off it is goes anywhere like that.. ask my jeans and shirt


Yeah I would go a latex rubber instead for molding

I'm with Glen, nothing other than a liquid rubber type deal.

My other suggestion would be, search out a leather/plastic automotive repair outfit.... they have all kinds of leather/vinyl/silicon stuff available to them.... I'd be shocked if they didn't have what you need and the know how to make it happen.


Regards

Kaptain "Without the proper release agent.... you are screwed" Zero

If you just want to stop the drinks moving around you could probably use sticky backed foam, basically high density foam with double sided tape on one side. It usually comes in different thicknesses and widths.
Or you might be able to mould something with fimo or similar then bake it hard. I imagine that if you lined the cup holder thing with foil or similar you could squash out a base and sides then just push a cup or similar in to get the insides right. You could just use a paper cup filled with ice (I.e. freeze the cup full of water and cut the lip off of the bottom so it is fairly flat), you might want to look at suitable lubricants so that you can put whatever in and spin it a bit to get a nice edge profile.

Though I would probably just make a roll of card or plastic and tape it in......

Don't drink and drive. [soda or otherwise]

Pontiac's are cheap/easy to repalce. Find the part.