I'm interested in what methods are available for applying closed cell foam myself.

My sister needed a cement wall in her basement insulated and went to a foam company and ordered a "Frost Pack" it is the two component A + B foam and comes with a simple gun that mixes the components in a throw away nozzle. It cost about $1 per sq. ft. per inch and you can get it in container that will shoot up to 600 sq. ft with out having a licenses.

You can buy kits from http://www.efi.org and other companies. Fine Homebuilding did an article a while back about using a foam pack to insulate a rim joist.
http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/how-to/articles/best-way-to-insulate-a-rim-joist-with-expandable-foam-kit.aspx
I think the author, a professional foam installer, gives some tips about using them.

I just got back from a video shoot with Mike Guertin, we wanted to do a DIY foamy pack as part of it, but one of the components solidified in the hose, He said it was the first time it ever happened to him, but it happened none the less. We'll shoot that part later this summer and I'll post the video at YouTube.

Dan
www.thegreenbuildingadvisors.blogspot.com

I've done some of this, but I think I'll hire it out next time.  I used TigerFoam.  Shipping is a big part of the cost.  I ordered a pallet and "saved" some on shipping.  The commercial spray foam guys are all set up, have a better machine than the two part DIY kits, have the experience, and do the clean up.  Hard to factor all of that in, but my experience was that it was not particularly pleasant or healthy work.  I put in more than 2,500 board feet.  When I get a bid on my next project, I'll probably kick myself for my DIY choice.

Mark

Look at www.soythane.com .They have a unique cartridge/dispenser system that is DIY friendly. I have never used it, but it looks easy enough to use.

I would truly compare the costs of hiring a pro vs. doing it yourself. as Mark mentioned, don't forget to allow for shipping, time spent applying, cleaning, etc. The other thing I tell people to calculate is how much money they could make elsewhere (at their regular job, or overtime on the weekend) if they were not doing the project themselves. Quite often, if someone is taking time off work to complete their DIY project, they are further behind than to just hire a pro. Pros who apply on a regular basis should be able to apply the product better than you or I could.

radave............I looked at their product.....Looks good.....but their prices are out of this world. Unless I did my caults wrong....it comes to 3 bucks a sf at 3 inches......and then ya gotta do it yourself and cleanup. I got a quote from a local pro that would charge me $2.25/sf turn key!

I'd go pro but this will be for some non-standard applications ;-)

I'm looking into the foam that boat-builders use. I don't always need to spray it,sometimes being able to pour it will do.

A lot of these guys raise a very good point that I should have too: DIY foamy kits are for small jobs such as sealing your rim joist. They're not such a wise choice for large jobe. For one thing, the cost would be insane, and for another disposing of all the canisters would be anything but green.

For remodelers, these kits are great because you can solve problems quickly.
Dan
http://www.thegreenbuildingadvisors.blogspot.com

I compared costs on a recent project I did. The costs for product and shipping alone came out to about the same as subbing out to the pro's. After that, consider disposal of cannisters, cleanup, and your own labor/profit/overhead, and the costs would have run much more than just subcontracting that portion of the project. Hire it out!

Can anyone suggest websites that review local foam insulators? I'm not having much luck finding anyone locally who does it let alone getting references for their work.