How to Smooth PLA 3D Prints - easy and quick tutorial
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- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
- How to smooth PLA print layer lines quickly and easily using wood filler and acetone!
Please make sure to use proper PPE like respirators and gloves.
More cosplay and prop making tutorials on my channel!
Thank you! I was having a really hard time applying putty to fill gaps in my prints before it turns into dust, thinning the filler works so much better!
So glad you found this helpful!!!💖
@universeofemily yes, thank you very much! I was watching another RUclipsr and he recommended about $70+ worth of things, and ALLOT of steps. Yours looked perfect for me and probably will cost about $30? As long as I have a sander. Which I don't, but I need one anyway, so it works out. Thanks again!
i’ve been doing bodywork for 20+ years
and for sanding anything especially plastics. , a DA sander is a your best friend, it faster than a vibrating sander. and will use less sandpaper. just wanted to share. keep up the great work
That wood filler acetone mixture is a god send
I usually use Bondo, but wood filler and acetone seems like it’ll get into the layer lines a bit nicer, I’ll have to use this, thanks!
Bondo can be mixed with acetone too for similar usage! I did some comparing and contrasting of the two for a video here if you’re interested: instagram.com/reel/CxvWoE2LXMd/
can you mix acetone into 2 part bondo?@@universeofemily
Yes it’s the same ratio - check out the video i linked above for pros and cons!
I WILL try this!! Also, for those of us that have resin printers as well, just use the liquid resin to paint on the PLA prints, harden, then smooth
That acetone and wood filler is a good trick that I am ABSOLUTELY going to steal
Hand sand PLA with rough paper under a faucet or with periodic soaking with water. It sands better because material is removed by the water and the plastic stays hard because of the cooling effect of the water.
If you wanted to do an alternative for using acetone, you can buy Darhams water putty. Its in powder form and you just add water to get the same affect as with acetone(being liquid).
Though doesn't dry as quickly as acetone would, can be an alternative if doing it with ABS
I'm really glad to see that you are using wood filler. I've long found it to be better than what people tend to recommend for this purpose (Bondo) because it's easier to sand than the part itself, but adheres perfectly. I've often recommended it to others, but never saw it being recommended, so this short feels like a bit of vindication
For sure! And i agree 100%! I actually have a wood filler vs bondo pros and cons video here if you’re interested! instagram.com/reel/CxvWoE2LXMd/?igsh=MXRrcnpma2I4YWxvcg==
I had the instagram reel of this saved for a long time, and Im finally trying it out! Ive been using bondo, but want to be able to do this inside when its so damn hot outside! Im excited to try it out
Yay!! So happy to hear! Let me know what you think!💖
bondo has electrolytes, thats what plants crave not our prints.
@@foxtree4255brawndo is the thirst mutilator. Got what plants crave 😂
Hey Thaaaaaaaaanks!
lol I just bought a printer and I hate the nasty lines I've seen so this is going to come in handy big time for finished products
Pro tip: wet your pla prints with cold water when sanding. Otherwise the friction heats it up and it starts gumming up and becomes hard to sand. Wet sanding with cold water will be much faster and cleaner.
I will try this method for my Mandalorian armour set I 3D printed. Wish me luck! Also love your Sabine cosplay. Truly inspiring.
This method is amazing and to be honest its between this method and using spotting glaze putty (red colored and sold in tubes at auto stores/walmart/auto isles) that are the best way to smoothen out your prints. Just no acetone with ABS but you can use denatured alcohol and you would use a lesser ratio as compared to 1:2 more like it would be more like 1:1.5
Love glaze putty too! I think there are pros and cons to each. I made a comparison video here if youre interested! instagram.com/reel/CxvWoE2LXMd/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
You should check out a sandable primer like FP401 primer surfacer. Used to use it all the time as an HVLP sprayer in a production factory, we got it from Sherwin Williams in gallon cans and pumped it into spray cans. It worked great, spray it on let it sit for 15 minutes and it sands in no time.
Great tips if you want to go even smoother put on 2 coats of primer send it down with 600 grid and then again 1 more coat light sand, and paint
Looks good knew about acetone vapour smoothing but never the tip about the wood filler. Will give it a try for sure.
Thats impressive. I print functional parts at work so i generally dont care about layer lines but once in a while it comes up. Ill be using the wood filler acetone trick. Good work and thanks for sharing
You are an angel. You just helped me out so much with the wood filler thing!
Excellent tip, have a couple of rc bodies i printed, was not looking forward to weeks of sanding :D gonna try your tip, thank you very much! Subbed just for this excellent solution, keep up the great work young lady!
oh wow.. this is a good technique. thanks for the video!
I’ve been using that red glazers putty, which is kinda hard to find and I usually have to order it online.
But I’m going to start using that wood filler an acitone thing
I feel you! I’ve been getting it from Home Depot but sometimes i have to order it ahead. Let me know what you think about the wood filler!!
Ive been using automotive grade lightweight body filler. This woodfiller and acetone idea would be a tone cheaper and easier work with. Ill give it a shot on my next painted build.
this is actually the best method demonstrated imo.
DO NOT use acetone with ABS parts or you'll see them melting 😅
It’s a good thing she’s using PLA. Stronger resistance to solvents. Still brittle with less heat resistance than ABS but won’t melt in your hands when submerged in a tub of acetone. Good thing it’s diluted with wood filler as well!
That's called vapor smoothing
@@cheapskateaquatics7103 except there are no vapors there , she's basically dipping the part 😂
Good thing she literally starts off with saying "PLA prints"
@@elpeterson true, but those new to printing might not know about ABS and a clear warning was not given.
Oh, now this is some good stuff. Never heard of this method before.
I would look into spot putty from a company like evercoat as well. It should (in theory) have a bit of a stronger bond than the wood filler :)
Thank you so much I’m new to 3d printing and been looking for paint stuff. Still looking for the right paint to get. Got the I got the wood fill in my cart now I just need to know what sanders I get.
Thank you for this! Simple and effective
Found this short months ago, before I got a 3d printer, and now that I finally have one I’m glad I found it again. Really helpful info
Music choice is immaculate
That's pretty informative.
Thanks for the video.
So glad it was helpful!
Nicely done, I used to use automotive filler back in college to do the same thing.
Off topic: I love your voice, I could listen for hours.
Actually such a huge and easy hack
if you can find spray putty (i like the motip brand, works out about $5 a can) then give that a go, it's a dream for doing this, easier to sand than wood filler and doesn't leave texture of its own.
Spray putty?
Genius ! Thank you for the video!!❤
definetely using this tip. i have a red hood helmet on to go as we speak and its not been the cleanest print ive done
Cool that’s a good idea . I making a predator mask at the mo. This will be great thank you 🙏🏼👍🏼😁
I've also seen resin and baby powder works well too.
I just started 3D printing last month, so I really appreciate these kinds of videos!
Does it have to be wood filler? Can I use Bondo spot putty with the same ratio?
So glad you found this helpful! You can also use Bondo, however, I like wood filler because it’s easier to sand and less toxic.
@@universeofemily Sorry for the late reply, but I've just learned this lesson haha! Going to try using wood filler now. Thanks again, and I subscribed!
hello!! forgive me for the silly question, but can i use 100% acetone nail polish remover that i got from the dollar store for this?? it says the ingredients are: “acetone, denatonium benzoate”
There’s no silly questions! Yes you can! If you end up liking the method though it may be more cost effective to buy acetone from home depot or your local hardware store! It will usually be in the cleaning supplies aisle:)
@@universeofemily thank you for your reply!! and for sure! i just happen to have the dollar store stuff on hand already LOL
I think I'm in love, thanks
My husband uses this red mushy stuff, no thinner required, and everything he makes feels like sea glass when he’s done sanding it by hand
Bondo is also great!! I think there’s pros and cons to each. I did a comparison video here if you or your husband are interested! instagram.com/reel/CxvWoE2LXMd/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
spot glaze is what he uses
That is an awesome tip! Thanks!
Is there a reason to prefer wood filler rather than thinning something like spackle? I think the grain size is smaller in the latter, so the finish is potentially better.
Ti safe yourself even MORE time, u dont sand it down, u just use sandable primer instead... it fills the gaps and u can sand it down very fast
Hi, thanks for the info. This has been helpful for my prints. What is your method of removing the dust off the prints after sanding. At times when I wash my prints, the filler is somewhat ruined
How would it look with just the sanding? Could you make a video about how it looks compared to this method?
I used to use that method before learning this. It looks relatively similar if you do it right but my last project was a phantom of the opera mask and it took me about 10 straight hours of sanding so I wouldn't recommend that method if you can avoid it.
@@WaterLettuceProductions Ok! I will see how it looks when I get my 3D printer!
Very cool! Have you ever had any issues with the spray's propellent interacting with the print?
Thanks! No issues here. Been using this combo and process for quite some time now
@@universeofemily awesome, I appreciate the acetone trick
Love it! Thank you for sharing :)
Awesome!
Interesting, but seems infeasible for my case: do you have recommendations for larger miniatures prints (6inx6x3) with moderately fine surface details?
I have some nail polish top coat (contains acetone) and spackle. Would those yield the same result @Universe of Emily?
thanks for the help!
Where do you get elbow grease? Lowe’s sold out and said they won’t have anymore until after Christmas. 😕
That gave it an N64 grey finish. Love that.
Next time maybe say what grit you use! thanks! great video!
Pro tip: use Bondo filler primer if you can get it, it dries fully within 30 minutes and doesn’t gunk up your sandpaper as much!
Evercoat glaze putty is a much higher quality than the grey bondo. Much thinner consistency similar to the wood filler, but is industry grade
@@warhammer1995 I was talking about bondo FILLER PRIMER not putty, as for evercoat putty I’ll have to check it out idk what the dry time is like though
@@ravenspropshop ahhh gotcha! The evercoat brand dry time can be altered with the amount of hardener added
@@warhammer1995 ya I probably would t use it then, I think spot putty is honestly better because it’s easier to use and has a set dry time, no room for error, but that’s just me
Whaaat?? This is awesome! Thanks!
What grit sandpaper did you use to sand the wood filler?
nice! good job.
Probably a dumb question, but what kind of container can I put acetone in? is the one you are using glass?
Glass, metal, polyethylene, polypropylene, or fluoroplastics!
@@universeofemily thanks!!
If anyone needs something more heat resistant than the wood filler would be. Evercoat glaze putty is similar an a automotive standard. Way better than bondo brand trust
that was awesome! Thanks!
I saw another RUclipsr using UV resin (3d printer resin) and talcum powder. It was glossy after he did his magic.
this is great!
Make sure you use sandable wood filler or you just get a large mess.
You beautiful human thankyou also do you think it would work with ipa inplace if acatone
hi architect student here and wow i have never heard of the wood filler. also what grits are you using for the electric and hand sand?
Another thing to do is to change Z seam position to the inside.
IKEA turquoise rolling art cart squad in the house.
Could you just using rubbing alcohol instead of acetone?
You know…..? I think i’m going to have to give this a shot…
awesome video what grit of paper did u use after wood filler/acetone on the print?
Thanks! 220!
also what did u use to ruff up the print before wood filler? 80 or 120 grit?
@THUND3RP1TBULL 120, it doesnt really matter too much though, it’s just to give it a quick once over!
This idea seems much better than automotive bondo and safer
Obviously, from the video this technique looks amazing. Thank you. But I'm just curious: Is there no fear the acetone eating the PLA?
i would love to know as well
The acetone flashes off so quick that there’s no effect to the PLA- the acetone is just to make the mixer dry faster and allow for more layers in one sitting!
@@universeofemily thank you so much for your reply. Your posts are fantastic and so informative. Great job. 👍👍
The acetone is also to thin the filler so that it more easily sinks into the layer lines rather than resting on the high spots, which can lead to voids beneath the filler that may lead to failures in your finish.
Is the acetone to filler ratio by weight or volume?
Volume, but the consistency is the most important part (since different fillers may have slightly different viscosities). You want to aim for something like melted icecream!
have you tried using drywall texture? you can get a giant 20lb bag for almost the same price.
you can get the easy sand 20 which should dry in 20 minutes or easy sand 5 for 5 minutes
and it mixes with water to the consistency you choose
I havent tried this! I wonder how well this would stick to plastic - which would be my own concern. Gonna add this to my list to try eventually!! Have you tried it?
@@universeofemily not yet, I recently broke my Ender.. failed print led to a blob and when trying to replace the hot end a bolt snapped
i ended up buying a bambu p1s just now 🥲
from my experience though the drywall texture sticks to wood the same as wood filler but dries and sands better
I used it to fill the grain in wood to make glossy shelves
What type of granulation is sandpaper?
Yasssss!!!! My impatient ass usually just sands down some then shoots on some primer/filler spray and sand a touch then just paint the hell out of it lol. Im gonna do better lol
Sanding the parts outside, so that the microplastics go straight into the biosphere. Please think about that next time. But good work on the part.
Can I use Methyl Hydrat instead of Acetone?
What grit sand paper do you use when sanding it after the filler dries?
Is that a matte finish?
Can u tell me the ways and the methods u use to paint the pla...
Why you don't go with spray ground
What grit sandpaper would be recommended?
Plastic wood filler?
Yep!!
Thank u!!
Does the brand of wood filler matter?
Have you tried polymaker cos pla?
Well shit I just learned something. Damn now I want to redo that project and I'm like 90% done. Fuck....
no idea how i ended up here but i think print lines give the piece character.. If you want a injection molded part, well buy it lmao..
Not everything has to be as smooth as can be. At least my opinion.
Hi! My page specializes in cosplay parts:) agreed though, a lot of internal, functional parts dont need this
good thing i work at an autobody shop....all the bondo i can get my hands on
nice! gonna have to try this
what modeling software does everyone use?
why have lines, when u can have bubbles?
does this work with the autimotive putty filler?
Did you have Tats from Goro?