Cleaning up 3D prints

If you are having problems with your 3D printer or have had a problem and discovered a great solution, then share your experiences here.
Post Reply
georgesheppard
Trainee Fireman
Trainee Fireman
Posts: 113
Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2020 9:51 pm

Cleaning up 3D prints

Post by georgesheppard » Tue Apr 27, 2021 11:57 am

I recently purchased a kit that included numerous 3D printed parts. Unfortunately the quality of the prints is somewhat variable. Other than many coats of primer, does anyone have any tips on cleaning up the prints?

The print in grey had lots of loose filament which I've cut off, I was thinking of filling the void with some kind of sand-able filler?


IMG_1092.jpg
IMG_1092.jpg (657.66 KiB) Viewed 3928 times

User avatar
sjrixon
Trainee Fireman
Trainee Fireman
Posts: 150
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2018 3:13 pm
Location: Reading

Re: Cleaning up 3D prints

Post by sjrixon » Tue Apr 27, 2021 1:11 pm

Yuck!

I'd fill that big hole to start with! Then the rest I'd go at it with quite a big file, try and smooth off. Then halfords filler primer sanded back a few times should really help, I use it all the time.

User avatar
philipy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5033
Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:00 pm
Location: South Northants

Re: Cleaning up 3D prints

Post by philipy » Tue Apr 27, 2021 3:03 pm

First of all I'd say that the quality of all of those prints is awful, especially the big grey piece. I'd send it straight back for a refund/replacement.

However, if you want to persevere with it, I'd suggest filling it all over with Squadron White putty, which is intended for plastic modelling filling and adheres to the plastic and is sandable, fileable, drillable, glueable and paintable!

For rubbing down, use "Wet & Dry" and don't rub too hard. I'm assuming that the prints are PLA ( unless you know differently?) so if you rub too hard or with too coarse grade sandpaper/files it will heat up rapidly, soften the surface and drag.
Philip

wsrbloke
Cleaner
Cleaner
Posts: 24
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 9:03 pm

Re: Cleaning up 3D prints

Post by wsrbloke » Thu Apr 29, 2021 11:32 am

Hi, I do lots of printing and I must agree these are terrible. I wouldn't be happy with them if I'd printed them for myself! Dare I ask who supplied the kit?

Ron

User avatar
-steves-
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 2412
Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2011 1:50 pm
Location: Cambridge & Peterborough

Re: Cleaning up 3D prints

Post by -steves- » Thu Apr 29, 2021 12:16 pm

I too would like to know the kit manufacturer, that's really bad quality, even for a home printer.

As said, use wet and dry, but use it very wet, it takes away the build up of plastic, but don't go "too hard at it" as you can cause enough friction to melt spots on it. :shock:
The buck stops here .......

Ditton Meadow Light Railway (DMLR)
Member of Peterborough and District Association
http://peterborough.16mm.org.uk/

georgesheppard
Trainee Fireman
Trainee Fireman
Posts: 113
Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2020 9:51 pm

Re: Cleaning up 3D prints

Post by georgesheppard » Thu Apr 29, 2021 2:59 pm

Yatton Models. Can’t say I’m impressed with the laser cut parts either! Going to take a lot of filler and sanding across the whole model to get it looking tidy. I guess it gives me more to do which isn’t a bad thing in the current environment 🤣.

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest