How to smooth PLA FDM 3D Prints?

A chemical method for post-processing PLA plastic after 3D printing on an FDM printer.
For this video I used Dichloromethane. No special brands or something like that - so you can check in your local stores or online.
If you have any advice, I'd be glad to hear it.
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Minotaur - www.thingivers...
#dnd #FDM #3dprinting #virrcraft

[@virrcraft]

Thanks for watching! If you have any questions - I will be glad to answer them :)

[@recoveringlibertarian5982]

Very nicely done.

[@virrcraft]

Thanks :)

[@mthewolf1095]

Dichloromethane also known as methylene chloride is a carcinogen. The latest recommendations from OSHA is minimal PPE is SCBA or supplied air.

[@Ghirahmodeling5784]

Thanks for the new method bro❤❤

[@virrcraft]

You’re welcome ;)
despite the fact that it can be dangerous - the result is quite good and, subject to safety precautions, everything should be ok;)

[@Pontos420]

Do you need to use any special gloves or are any plastic gloves fine?

[@virrcraft]

I don’t remember exactly, but I used the gloves that came with either the mounting foam or the hair dye (I found some on the shelf). regular latex ones or something like that definitely won’t work. If you're not sure, I recommend testing the gloves first by placing a few drops of solvent on them and waiting a couple of minutes. basically mine were like a plastic bag but shaped like gloves and it worked.

[@Pontos420]

@@virrcraft Nice thank you for your reply.
In the meanwhile I found out that DCM is desolving most plastic types which makes it dificult to find protective gloves, but there are pva gloves that are used in a lab and these are definately a good protection.
But aparenty as long as you dont plan to dump your hands into the DCM you will be just fine with any gloves (as some kind of splash protection).

[@virrcraft]

@@Pontos420 that’s also true. I mean if it dissolve gloves in matter of minutes - it should be fine, coz we need to immerse the model for just a couple of seconds - after which the gloves can be immediately removed. I didn’t had any problems with mine, but I’m very glad that you care about safety! I first tried regular latex gloves and they were destroyed in the matter of seconds (tried not on my hands 😅)

[@Burbsi]

If your country is part of the EU then best avoid this chemical. It's illegal since 2010 (as paint stripper) for citizens. I don't know why they specify its use as paint stripper... Further it seems to be probihited to be sold or given to private citizens. For industires it's forbidden without a special permit. In my country it's even forbidden as a solvent.
Skin contact can result in chemical burns and destruction of fatty tissue as well as breathing in can lead to damage to optic nerves. Also it has been deemed as possibly carcinogenic

[@virrcraft]

you are definitely right about the dangers of this substance and I was actually able to find information that According to the web search results, dichloromethane (also known as methylene chloride) is a solvent that has been banned in consumer and commercial paint strippers in the European Union since 2012. However, some EU countries may grant derogation for professional use under certain conditions. The UK was the only EU country who made use of this possibility before its withdrawal from the Union. Dichloromethane is also used in other applications such as aerosol solvent, pharmaceutical production and degreasing agent. so, subject to safety precautions (which, by the way, I warned about in the video), I see no problems in using this chemical agent.