Foam(?) for keeping dust out through large weird shaped gaps?

sparr · Post by **sparr** » Sat May 26, 2018 4:40 pm

I want to keep dust from blowing freely between various parts of my vehicle, and inside some large equipment. I've got a bunch of gaps and voids to fill, ranging in size from 2x8" to 20x20", but with arbitrary shapes and cutouts. I don't want to fill them permanently, so spray foam is out. My thought is to get something like seat cushion foam and cut it a bit oversized, then squeeze it into place. Anyone have suggestions of what specific type of foam to use, or some alternate approach? I'm especially interested in foam that is not completely airtight, so that some air can circulate and the thickness of the foam would serve as a big dust filter.

Here's an example of two such gaps that need filling:

burner von braun · Post by **burner von braun** » Sat May 26, 2018 9:24 pm

If by chance it turns out that you can't find appropriate foam that meets all your needs, then I'm inclined to think that you may want to consider not worrying about airflow in those spots, and use a more rigid foam. Then for airflow, cut some rectangular window outlets in your plywood, and build some sort of framed furnace filter type plug-in that attaches readily to the more standard shaped openings you've created. You could have addition types of plugins on hand, a solid cover for example, or leave it open at times so you can pass a wrench or Salamander cocktails through to the next compartment.

..or

If you want to leave the plywood as is, perhaps strategically place a short lengthed segment of large diameter PVC pipe into the weird gaps, and surround them tightly with regular foam to fill the void. Then you can deal with airflow using the newly established standard PVC size opening, perhaps even using a small fan and filter to help the process.

some seeing eye · Post by **some seeing eye** » Sat May 26, 2018 9:31 pm

The price you save by using some inexpensive or free upholstery cushion foam can be spent on an oxygen monitor alarm for safety in sealed spaces. You can just throw some fabric over the foam for aesthetics. Playa dust is smaller than any filter, but opening the door will let more in than will travel through foam at equal pressure inside and out.

Traveller in Time · Post by **Traveller in Time** » Sun May 27, 2018 3:45 am

Spray foam inside a plastic bag, filling the gap?

sadie · Post by **sadie** » Sun May 27, 2018 4:22 pm

An extra long body pillow.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Mon May 28, 2018 9:52 am

C4 would mold right in there.

GreyCoyote · Post by **GreyCoyote** » Mon May 28, 2018 10:59 am

If you got rid of the division wall entirely you could drag your Zorb inside the bus and inflate it. Should work nicely to seal all those pesky, irregular gaps, and it would help to insulate you from any complicated social interactions.

lucky420 · Post by **lucky420** » Mon May 28, 2018 12:30 pm

Captain Goddammit wrote:C4 would mold right in there.

sparr · Post by **sparr** » Mon May 28, 2018 2:36 pm

GreyCoyote wrote:If you got rid of the division wall entirely you could drag your Zorb inside the bus and inflate it. Should work nicely to seal all those pesky, irregular gaps, and it would help to insulate you from any complicated social interactions.

Already have plenty of room to inflate a 2m zorb. 2.5m would hit the ceiling, but not the corners, so it wouldn't seal the gaps in the corners

Foam(?) for keeping dust out through large weird shaped gaps?

Foam(?) for keeping dust out through large weird shaped gaps?

Re: Foam(?) for keeping dust out through large weird shaped gaps?

Re: Foam(?) for keeping dust out through large weird shaped gaps?

Re: Foam(?) for keeping dust out through large weird shaped gaps?

Re: Foam(?) for keeping dust out through large weird shaped gaps?

Re: Foam(?) for keeping dust out through large weird shaped gaps?

Re: Foam(?) for keeping dust out through large weird shaped gaps?

Re: Foam(?) for keeping dust out through large weird shaped gaps?

Re: Foam(?) for keeping dust out through large weird shaped gaps?