Due to their wide range of flexibility, a heat gun has become quite popular among professionals and DIY enthusiasts. For instance, if you’ve used a blow dryer, you’re already familiar with a heat gun. The only difference is that a heat gun can reach a higher temperature than a blow dryer. However, if you’re new to heat guns, you might be wondering about heat gun uses. As a dealer or wholesaler, you might also ask what heat guns can do and what customers you should target.
This article discusses heat gun uses in industrial and household settings and provides some tips to ensure safety when using this hot air machine. Let’s dive in!
What Is a Heat Gun? Brief Overview
A heat gun is a power tool that produces hot air, usually at high temperatures. It functions like a blow dryer. A fan brings air into the tool’s body and directs it to an electrically heated component. This component heats the air and then passes it out through a nozzle.
This hot air machine’s compact packaging makes it ideal for extended use and multiple applications. Beyond its versatility, it’s lightweight, convenient to use, and offers precision. It allows users to determine specific airflow and temperature settings. Some popular types of heat guns include industrial heat guns, cordless heat guns, and corded heat guns. Generally, heat guns can reach up to 1200F, depending on the type.
What Industries Use a Heat Gun?
Heat guns are popular among industrial manufacturers who maximize their adjustable temperatures to complete heavy-duty tasks. Some of these tasks include loosening old screws, bending metal or plastic, embossing, and shrinking large objects. Here are some industries that employ heat guns and how they use these hot air machines:
Construction Industry
Heat guns are vital to various operations in the construction industry, such as welding plastic, bending PVC pipes, and shrinking tubes. Heat guns also become helpful when thawing frozen pipes, shaping metal materials, curing concrete, and removing old paint.
Electronics Industry
In the electronics industry, the primary use of heat guns involves soldering or de-soldering electrical components. However, it also helps shrink-wrap wire connections and dry electronic devices. Choosing heat guns with a heat adjustment component for use in the electronic industry is vital because overheating can damage electronic devices.
Aviation Industry
Heat guns are used for shrinking, sealing, binding, and soldering various materials across various stages of spacecrafts production. For instance, heat guns are used to construct and repair airplanes’ interior and exterior components. They work on carbon mesh, fiberglass, flooring, and plumbing.
Automotive Industry
Heat guns are extremely useful for aftermarket modifications, such as applying decorative vinyl wraps or window tinting. You will likely have seen a heat gun if you’ve also been to an autobody shop. It’s useful for part replacement and repairs of scratches and dents. Heat guns are also helpful for loosening adhesives from bumper stickers and fillers.
Boating Industry
The boating industry relies on vinyl coatings to protect yachts and boats from damage. Attaching these coatings to the ship at the right temperature ensures they stay on and protect the vessel. A heat gun is handy here due to its adjustable temperature and laser-focused design. It’s also helpful when sterilizing tools and drying wet wood to prevent molds.
Textile Industry
While this might come as a surprise, the textile industry is part of the long list of places where this hot air machine is functional. It’s useful when curing and drying fabrics, stretching or shrinking materials, and removing wrinkles. This is particularly useful for heavy or thick fabric where it’s necessary to target precise spots.
15 Popular Household Uses of Heat Guns
Don’t be surprised; a heat gun isn’t only a piece of industrial equipment. It works just as great at home. You can use heat guns for various projects, including redecorating and renovating your home or defrosting a freezer. Other heat gun uses include:
1. Roasting Coffee Beans
A heat gun and coffee beans are a match made in heaven. Place the coffee beans into a metal bowl and move the heat gun around the bowl’s surface for an even heat distribution. Ensure the heat gun is three to five inches away from the bowl. Then, stir the coffee beans continually to prevent burning. Once the beans crack, they’re ready for use.
2. Defrosting Freezers
Sometimes, all that’s left of the freezer is frost. This can be a problem when cleaning. Rather than waiting hours for it to defrost itself, a heat gun can help you thaw faster. Move the hot air machine around the frost and watch it turn to water quickly. You can start cleaning afterward.
3. Removing Labels and Stickers
Have you ever tried removing a label or sticker after a long while? It can be tricky, leaving paper residue and marks on the surface. A heat gun makes the job easier by softening the adhesive on the sticker. Guess what? It’s also the same when removing old wallpapers. You can pull long strips of wallpaper off your wall by softening the adhesives.
4. Defrosting Frozen Pipes
Winter often comes with frozen pipes and blocked plumping. A heat gun works like magic to defrost these pipes quickly. You can apply this hot air machine to the frozen areas and move it around to turn ice into water. It’s also important to remember to use low heat settings to avoid damaging the pipe.
5. Shrinking Wraps
You can apply heat guns to shrink tubes for insulation and packing. This is relevant across both domestic and industrial settings. Heat the plastic film, then wrap it tightly around the object you want to protect once it softens. It can work for small and large objects like food materials and industrial equipment.
6. Drying Moist Shoes
You can use heat guns to dry wet shoes when you need them to dry quickly. Ensure you move the heat gun around to accelerate the drying process. Even better, a heat gun isn’t just helpful in drying up shoes but any moist surface, including damp wood, varnish, or paint.
7. Shaping PVC Pipes
A heat gun can help with shaping and molding metal and PVC pipes. Heat the material to make it softer. Afterward, you can mold it into your preferred shape or size. Remember to move the heat gun around to ensure that a spot doesn’t get overheated.
8. Waxing Skis and Snowboards
Snowboarders and skiers require their skis and boards in the best condition for the best experience. And one of the best ways they achieve this is by regularly waxing the boards and skis. While using an iron is the traditional method, a heat gun offers more efficiency. Direct the nozzle towards the wax to melt it, then spread it all over the board and ski.
9. Stripping Old Paint
Removing old paint is almost unavoidable when renovating or moving to a new house. A heat gun is handy at this stage as it softens the paint and allows easy scrapping. It also makes it easier to avoid slow and harsh chemical strippers.
10. Embossing
A heat gun is the perfect crafter’s tool for embossing. This is because a heat gun gently releases hot air and can target specific areas. Place the heat gun on the embossing powder to heat it and create that beautiful pattern on paper.
11. Loosening Old Screws and Bolts
Either at home or at the factory, removing old and rusted screws can be extremely difficult. Even with an electric screwdriver, you might find turning almost impossible. Sometimes, it can cause damage to the bolt head because the rust acts as glue. A heat gun produces enough heat to break down the rust or allow the nut to expand. This can provide enough wiggle room to loosen the bolt or screw.
12. Removing Car Dents
If you’ve got a car or metal with dents, a heat gun can help you remove it. Apply the heat gun to the dented area, which will cause it to expand and pop out. Ensure you choose a low heat setting and move the hot air machine around consistently to avoid damaging the car paint.
13. Lifting Damaged or Old Flooring
Old floorings, especially vinyl ones, can be challenging to remove since they’re firmly attached to the ground. Using a scraper can be time-wasting and leave adhesives on the ground. A heat gun makes it easier by softening the adhesives and allowing you to strip the old flooring.
14. Making Candles and Joining Large Tarps
A heat gun is a heat tool for crafting, making it worthwhile for candle makers. A heat gun can help remove a nick in the wax or level the candle. It can also help join tarps. All you need to do is heat each side, overlap them, and press them together.
15. Repairing Vinyl and Leather
Heat guns can help you repair leather and vinyl with cuts in it. Pick a patch to cover the cut and coat a side of a patch with heat-activated adhesive. Use the heat gun on the glue, then attach it to the open area to cover it.
Don’t Forget About Safety
Due to the hot air that heat guns produce, they can be dangerous without the appropriate safety precautions. For instance, accidental exposure to the heat can cause severe burns. So, keep your safety in mind whenever a heat gun comes into your hand. Some safety tips you can recommend to professionals and DIY enthusiasts include:
- Read the user manual before you begin.
- Keep the hot air machine away from kids and pets.
- Ensure the area is adequately ventilated.
- Remove all flammable and combustible materials from your work area.
- Wear the proper protective equipment and safety gear.
- Confirm the temperature settings.
- Move the gun around to avoid overheating a spot.
- Switch off the heat gun before placing it down on a surface.
- Ensure the heat gun cools down before storage.
- Don’t touch the metal nozzle with your skin or even clothing.
- Don’t direct hot air towards yourself or any other person.
- Don’t stare into the nozzle when the heat gun is ON.
- Don’t insert any material into the gun’s nozzle.
- Avoid lead-based paint to prevent the release of toxic fumes.
- Don’t obstruct the airflow of the heat gun or inlet grill when in use.
- Consider buying additional heat gun safety accessories.
Choose the Best Heat Guns
Heat guns are a popular tool in industrial and household settings due to their usefulness. However, getting the best heat gun experience depends on high-quality products. As a business, dealer, or wholesaler, you must provide premium heat guns to your customers.
At MaxXT, we offer a range of powerful heat guns and accessories for household and industrial settings. Our auto tools are unrivalled in the industry due to their precision, flexibility, and compact design. So, are you a dealer looking to improve your customer satisfaction? Join the MaxXT dealership of premium auto tools providers. It’s time to enjoy our cooperative advantages!
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