I have a new little toy, it’s called heat gun although it is also known as heat gun or hot air. At first I bought it to pickle but I have discovered that it is used for many more things, read on if you also want to know these 21 heat gun uses and get the most out of it.
the heat gun It is a tool that emits a stream of hot air. In fact, at first glance it is very similar to a hair dryer but with the difference that the air temperature is higher (ranging from 50 to 550ºC or more). For this reason, do not even think of using it as a hair dryer unless you want to fry your neurons.
A basic heat gun consists of a nozzle and an air temperature control. Some models include several nozzles or nozzles to channel the air according to the work we are going to do, and even allow the flow to be regulated from low to high.
Its price varies between 20 and 60 euros depending on the model and features. Once I read that in a matter of tools it was advised buy the best quality tool that your pocket can afford, but i also I would add the “use” variable, since if you are going to use it on a few occasions, you may not be interested in making a large investment.
In my case, I bought a basic model because I thought I was going to give it little use, but when I discovered how functional it could be, I changed it for another model with more accessories and the ability to regulate the air flow and temperature in small sections. . You can buy the same heat gun in this link.
Now that you know how a heat gun works, let’s see all the uses you can give it to get the most out of it:
Stripping wooden surfaces
One of its most common uses is as wood stripperIn fact, it is the method most recommended by experts for stripping. When heating the paint with the heat gun, it begins to soften and form bubbles, peeling off easily with the help of a spatula that we will place at an angle of about 30 degrees on the wood.
The use of this tool is especially recommended for large surfaces with many layers of paint (a table or a door, for example), however its use is not recommended for delicate pieces or cabinet work.
Bring out the natural grain of the wood
The heat gun can also be used to highlight the grain nature of the wood, for this the heat must be applied to the bare and untreated wood but carefully so as not to burn it.
wax the wood
Another use of the heat gun is the wood waxing. Once the wax has been applied to the entire wooden surface, it is spread with the heat gun. In this way, the wax penetrates better into the wood, achieving greater protection and shine once polished.
It is also used to wax other objects such as skis.
edge boards
In carpentry, the heat gun is very useful for sing boards with pre-glued edges with hot melt glue. It certainly seems less cumbersome than with the iron (I say this from my own experience).
dry surfaces
It can be used for dry wooden surfaces (for example damp wood), metal parts, also joints before applying insulation or damp walls before repainting. The drying temperature will depend on the material to be dried.
dry materials
Although the main use of the heat gun is to remove varnish and paint from wood, at a lower temperature it can be used for fast drying of paints and varnishes, plaster, mortar and plaster, in this way the working times between layers are reduced.
For example, it would have been very useful for me to dry the vitrifiable varnish of the mugs decorated with washi tape, without having to put them in the oven.
Defrost
If you live in a cold area, the heat gun will come in handy for thaw copper pipesalthough it must be done carefully so as not to damage it.
You will also find it useful to defrost the car lock or even to help defrost the refrigerator.
Removing sealing or filling materials
Another very interesting use of the heat gun is that with it you can easily remove putty, clay, silicone or any other material used as a sealant or filler in construction work. By heating these materials with the heat gun, their extraction will be much faster.
Remove stickers and vinyl
Do you have vinyl or stickers that have been stuck for centuries and that you can’t take off? Or maybe sticky mounts that can’t be removed? With a hot air gun you can heat to soften the adhesive for easy removal.
Care must be taken not to overheat the vinyl or sticker as there is a risk that it will crack and become more difficult to remove.
remove vinyl flooring
The heat gun will help us easily remove vinyl tiles, as well as linoleum carpets or Sintasol-type floors.
model plastic parts
With a heat gun you can model and make joints between plastic partswhich is very useful for joining pipes or adapting them to difficult corners.
It is convenient that we previously carry out a test on a small part of the material since only thermoplastics can be modeled What:
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polybutylene (PB)
- polystyrene (PS)
- Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- Teflon (PTFE)
- Nylon
By contrast, Thermoset plastics catch fire if heat is applied to them:
- Vulcanized natural rubber and synthetic rubber
- Bakelite
- Duroplast
- Urea-formaldehyde
- Melamine
- Polyurethanes
- Polyester and epoxy resins.
Prevent strings from fraying
Applying a little heat to the end of a rope made of synthetic material we will prevent it from fraying. You can also try fabrics made from synthetic materials. In fact, I used to apply heat with a lighter to the cuts of the satin ribbons to prevent them from fraying. From now on I will do it with the heat gun.
To “sew” laminated fabrics
If you want repair a plastic tablecloth or any other laminated cloth it is possible to do it with the heat gun. It is recommended to pass a roller or spatula over it to ensure the union.
Soldering and desoldering metals
Another use of the heat gun that can be very useful for electronics enthusiasts is that it serves both for solder the components of a circuit, such as to remove solder. With the right nozzle and temperature, it is a tool that can replace the torch in these cases.
Wrap packages with plastic film
The hot air gun is also used to shrink shrink wrap for product wrapping and packaging. At a domestic level, it is practical when making gift baskets with various products, since in this way we ensure that they are well secured inside. It can also be used to protect suitcases with plastic before a trip.
Loosen metal bolts and nuts
Applying heat with the gun we can unscrew more easily a metal nut or bolt that is rusty or overtightened.
Clean and disinfect
Thanks to the hot air emitted by the gun, you can clean and disinfect from germs of cages and animal houses. It also helps to get rid of woodworm on furniture.
Enlarge plastic shoe
If we use the heat gun at the minimum temperature it is possible yield and shape synthetic footwear to avoid chafing and discomfort. Of course, do not put your shoes on immediately after applying the gun if you do not want to burn them.
Insulate and repair cable joints
Another use of the heat gun is the insulation and bonding of cables with heat shrink tubinga function that is very practical for carrying out repairs on electrical installations.
repair asphalt fabric
The heat gun can also repair asphalt fabric which is used to waterproof terraces or planters and in this way get rid of leaks and humidity.
Apply different techniques in crafts
The heat gun is a very useful tool for apply different techniques in crafts such as:
- Embossing.
- Molded from EVA foam, felt, etc.
- Fast drying of paints, varnishes, polymer clay…
- Magic plastic creations.
- Application of rhinestones and iron-on decorations.
Lastly, I would like to insist that a series of precautions when using the heat gun:
- Try it first at low temperature in an area of the material that is not very visible and gradually increase the temperature according to the needs of the material.
- Always have a small fire extinguisher or water handy in case of a fire.
- Keep the gun off when not in use.
- Do not store the gun until the nozzle is completely cold (wait about 30 minutes).
- Work with a mask, glasses and gloves to protect the face and skin. Keep in mind that some paints and materials can give off toxic fumes when heated.
- Do not allow water to enter the gun or cover the ventilation holes to prevent overheating.
- Do not leave it within the reach of children or animals.
As you may have seen, the heat gun is a very useful and functional tool for all DIY enthusiasts. If you already have one, I hope that from now on you can get much more out of it. In the event that you are thinking of buying a heat gun, you will see how you will amortize it in a very short time.
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