A heat gun is a great tool for flattening PVC pipes. It’s easy to use and the process is not time-consuming at all! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to flatten PVC pipes with a heat gun.

How to Flatten PVC Pipe with a Heat Gun?

Here are the 7 easy steps to flatten your pvc pipe:

Step 1: Prepare the PVC pipe to be flattened

First, you need to gather all the tools you need to do this process. You will need a heat gun, a flat surface that can get hot, and some sort of weight/pressure on top of it.

You should use your pipe cutter or saw to make sure you cut off any sharp edges from where the PVC was cut before using it for this project as those could catch and explode while heating.

Step 2: Heat the Pipe

Next, you need to get your heat gun ready for this part of the project. Turn on the high setting that works best for what you are doing with it (the more powerful ones can reach around 1000 degrees Fahrenheit). Make sure to place a wide flame head on the pipe and slowly rotate the pipe while keeping it in contact with heat to avoid hot spots.

Step 3: Apply Pressure and Allow to Cool

Once you have heated your PVC, apply some pressure on top of it by placing a flat surface over the piece that is being flattened. Make sure this heavy-weight object does not catch fire from coming into contact with the hot plastic. You should allow it to cool for a few hours or overnight before removing it from the heat and pressure source.

Step 4: Remove Weight/Pressure and Inspect Results

Once you have allowed your PVC pipe to cool, remove weight, making sure not to touch the surface as it will be very hot still! The flattening process can take a couple of hours, but you will be able to see the results once it is finished.

Step 5: Repeat Process When Needed

If needed, repeat this entire process until desired results are reached! If your pipe does not flatten out completely after one try, turn up the heat for the next attempt and apply more pressure on the heat gun.

Step 6: Clean Up and Store for Future Use

Once you have achieved the desired results, clean up your mess by removing all excess plastic around the PVC pipe that was not melted during this process. Make sure to store your flattened pieces in a safe place as they will be easier to transport now!

Step 7: Enjoy Your Product!

Once you have flattened your PVC pipe, enjoy it for its new use in whatever project you used to need the round piece of plastic for. Make sure not to forget that heat can cause burns, so stay safe when using this process at home yourself!

Why Does PVC Pipe Need To Be Flattened?

People do this for different reasons, but most commonly, the PVC pipe will be used to make a very specific project.

The stress put on materials when they are bent can lead to cracks and other structural damage so if you need your PVC in a round shape, flattening with heat is usually necessary for its longevity as a useful product.

Tips On How To Use The Heat Gun Effectively

A heat gun is a great choice for this project, but some tips and tricks to using one effectively! Make sure the flame head on your gun reaches your desired temperature before placing it directly onto your PVC pipe.

This will help you avoid creating hot spots in the plastic when applying pressure. Once heated, make sure to use plenty of weight on top of the pipe as this will help it flatten faster.

Remember, heat guns can reach very high temperatures, so be careful when using them around small children and pets who may come into contact with the hot surface!

Make sure to clean up your mess afterward by removing all excess plastic that was not melted in the process. Now you are ready to use your new flat PVC pipe in your next project! You can also read our post about using silicone to PVC pipe and joining PVC pipe in tight spaces if you are interested.