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Storing & Handling Foam Material
How to store A/B drums and kits so the material stays on-ratio and sprayable — temperature, moisture, and shelf life.
3 min 2 modules
Lesson
A-side crystallizes from moisture, cold material won't react, and stale drums go off-ratio. Proper storage and FIFO rotation keep the material sprayable and the foam on-spec.
Key takeaways
- A-side (isocyanate) crystallizes from moisture — keep it sealed and dry.
- Both drums need temperature-controlled storage; cold material won't react right.
- Use FIFO and watch the shelf life — stale material causes off-ratio foam and callbacks.
Step by step
- 1Store drums upright, sealed, in a dry, temperature-controlled space.
- 2Keep A-side containers tightly closed — moisture ingress ruins it fast.
- 3Rotate stock first-in-first-out and mark dates on each drum.
- 4Condition material to spray temperature before the job — don't spray cold material.
- 5Inspect for crystallization, discoloration, or separation before loading the rig.
Quick checklist
- Drums stored upright and sealed.
- Storage temperature within the manufacturer's range.
- FIFO rotation with dates marked.
- Material conditioned to spray temp before use.
Common mistakes
- Leaving A-side open to humid air — it crystallizes and clogs the rig.
- Spraying cold material that hasn't been conditioned — it won't cure right.
- Using old, stale drums past shelf life and ending up off-ratio.
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