Primer is much faster than sanding (it only takes around 10 minutes), as you just spray or brush it over the part’s surface. It’s generally used before applying your actual coats of paint to finish the 3D print, and is ideal for smoothing PLA layer lines.įiller primer adds to the surface to smooth layers, whereas sanding removes the surface. Primer is a paint-like substance that helps fill in any small gaps, cracks, or crevices on the surface of a part. Then once fully sanded, you can get shiny, polished models that look like this 3DBenchy I worked on: This is one smooth PLA print! Honestly, it’s like glass! Before and after demo of sanding results. After using 1000 grit sandpaper it’ll start to look really smooth We have also written a more in-depth, step-by-step guide to sanding PLA if you want the full details. You should also wash your 3D print in water and dry it off with a towel or cloth after you’re finished sanding, to remove any unwanted plastic bits on the model’s surface. Wet sandpaper is faster and speeds up the sanding process. I also suggest dipping your sandpaper in water after each scrub (“wet sanding”), as this helps lubricate the sandpaper. This three-stage sanding process will give your PLA print a very smooth surface finish. This is what your print will look like after using 400 grit sandpaper you cannot see the layer lines Finish the surface off with some 300-400-grit sandpaper.Then, move up to 150 or 200-grit sandpaper.Start with a low-grit (rougher) piece of sandpaper, like 80 or 100-grit.How to do it:įrom my experience, the best way to sand your PLA 3D prints is to: But, it can be time consuming, especially for larger models, as you can only sand a small area at a time. Sanding is commonly the first layer smoothing technique people use as it smooths out the larger layer line separations. Simply rub a piece of textured sandpaper along the outer surface of a 3D print, and over time the PLA’s surface will match the texture of the sandpaper, allowing you to control the “grit” of your print. Sanding works on every filament material, from PLA to PC and everything in between. In the sections below, I’ve gone over the most effective techniques for smooth PLA prints, that you can use for perfect finished prints! 1. However, not all layer smoothing techniques, such as acetone smoothing, work with PLA plastic due to its chemical and mechanical properties. Smoothing PLA 3D prints involves using compatible layer smoothing techniques to give your PLA 3D prints a glossy and mirror-like surface finish. Can PLA be Acetone Smoothed? How to Smooth PLA 3D Prints. Can you use isopropyl alcohol to smooth PLA?.What solvent should you use for PLA smoothing?.
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