How To Sand 3d Prints Pla

Before you do anything make sure to put on your eye protection and a respiratory mask.

How to sand 3d prints pla. In that year i won my first 3d printer with my nerf sentry gun instructable. 200 sand and smooth the surface until you cannot feel any printing layer lines at all. All you need to perform this technique is a can of spray paint that bonds well with plastic such as rust oleum and a bottle of fast drying polyurethane clear satinyoull also want to print a model that has clear layer lines that way you can really get a sense of how this process works. Some printing materials respond well to sanding with other materials it may not be an option.

In this instructable i am going to show you how i smooth pla 3d prints with four different methods. Dip your piece of 400 grit sandpaper into some water and continue sanding your print. Even the best fdm 3d printer produces layer lines. Thanks to instructables in 2013 my life as a maker changed a lot.

This is not as necessary with smoothing higher temperature 3d printing materials but still advisable. How to smooth pla 3d prints. What you need how to do it. An alternative method to sanding pla directly is to finish the pla with the xtc 3d first and then sand on top of the coating.

For example pla and abs can respond very well to sanding. Sand in small circles evenly across the surface of the part. Gather all the materials. Wetting the glass paper will lubricate and cool the surface when youre sanding pla prints.

A step by step guide to sanding your pla prints 1. Put on your safety gear. Just as with any diy project its essential to ensure that you have all the tools you will. As you sand run your fingers over the print to get a feel for how smooth it is.

Start with the coarsest sandpaper approx. Smoothing pla prints without sandpaper. Check our guide to smoothing 3d prints to learn three methods of pla smoothing for a professional finish.