The cold weather has arrived for much of the country. You may be thinking about investing in a
heat gun in case frozen parts get in the way of your job. Heat guns, however, provide solutions to problems that have nothing to do with the cold weather. They are very versatile tools with a wide range of uses.
1. Strip Paint
Stripping paint can be frustrating, but heat guns make it easier. Sanding and chemical strippers work, but not nearly as fast as heat guns - and they make a bigger mess.
2. Remove Decals
Decals and stickers can easily be removed with a heat gun, as the heat will soften the adhesive. Make sure, however, you wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands when peeling off the unwanted decal.
3. Shrink Heat-shrink Tubing and Terminals
Sick of accidentally burning heat-shrink
tubing and
terminals? Heat guns allow you to adjust the temperature settings, so you can avoid scorching your work.
4. Bend Plastic
Custom-fit safety glasses, anyone? There are reasons you may want to bend plastic in your shop. Heat guns are very helpful in doing so. They can even be used when bending PVC.
5. Dry Epoxy
Epoxy can take hours to cure to a state that can be handled. Applying heat will send the epoxy through the same steps of curing but at a faster rate.
6. Dry Paint
Like epoxy, paint can be dried at a faster pace with a heat gun. However, it’s important to use a lower heat on paint. Kimball Midwest’s
Ultra Pro-Max Paint, for example, can withstand temperatures up to 200 degrees. To dry the paint enough to handle, the heat should be on the lowest setting.
7. Solder
A torch may be the best option when soldering a small area where you need precision, but a heat gun is a great choice when you’re working on a bigger area. Heat guns are much safer due to the lack of an open flame. It will also save you money since you won’t have to buy gas.
8. Remove Caulk
Using a heat gun when removing caulk will make the job much easier. The caulking will become soft enough for you to be able to scrape it off with minimal residue left behind.
Bonus: Heat Your Lunch
Don’t wait around for your coworkers to be finished with the microwave. Take your sandwich, wrap it in aluminum foil, evenly heat it, and enjoy!
Safety is the top priority when it comes to heat guns. Make sure you are prepared with heat-resistant gloves and safety glasses when the job calls for such. It is also essential to note that not all heat gun jobs require the same temperature settings.
Looking for a vendor who can provide these types of solutions for your shop?