Ispropyl alcohol sachets
Hi there, we are trying to find a similar product to the ispropyl alcohol sachet that was shipped with our Prusa. Do you know where to buy them? We are based in Spain but any EU shop would work for us. Many thanks!
RE: Ispropyl alcohol sachets
I wouldn't recommend them. The alcohol concentration is typically low (70%) and the pad tiny. They're fine for first-time cleaning of a new PEI sheet, but will lead to frustration with a more heavily-used soiled PEI surface.
Some copypasta on PEI surface cleaning...
It's always a good idea to make sure your PEI surface is clean before trying any other fixes. Take it to the kitchen sink and give it a good dunk with Dawn (original formula, no vinegar or hand softener variants) dishwashing soap or your local equivalent (e.g. Fairy in UK). Use a clean paper towel to clean it off, and another to dry it. Avoid using any sponge or cloth that has been in contact with grease. Above all else, avoid touching the PEI print surface. Once it's good and clean, you should be able to use 91%+ isopropyl alcohol between prints, 100% acetone when that fails, and another dunk when acetone fails. Worst-case, use a 3M 7445 ScotchBrite pad or equivalent to give it a very light buff, but only infrequently.
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He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
RE: Ispropyl alcohol sachets
I'll second Bob's advice:
For quick cleaning between prints get pure isopropyl alcohol and dust-free single-use "cleanroom" wipes. All good electronic components stores in Europe, even local ones, stock them. You can also get the wipes cheaply on Aliexpress. Paper wipes will work too, but this is a lot more convenient and close to the pads you were asking for. Just bigger. 🙂 I also recommend nitrile gloves. After all, isopropyl alcohol isn't great for skin and skin oil isn't great for the PEI bed.
For deeper removal of oils, I also second Bob's recommendation of a proper wash in hot water. I like to use a kitchen degreaser spray rather than a dish soap. Kitchen degreasers contain ethoxylated alcohols as one of the surfactants. Ethoxylated alcohols are extremely good at binding and solvating fat and oils. They even emulsify silicone oil. I spray the surface, use a soft clean brush, then wash everything off with plenty of hot water, let it drop mostly dry and remove the remaining moisture with the cleanroom wipe.
Acetone is a chemical option when you want something stronger than isopropyl alcohol. It attacks the PEI surface a little, but that means it leaves it very sticky to molten plastics.
RE: Ispropyl alcohol sachets
Third, but I didn't even find them useful for the first cleaning.
I've been using the 91% IPA I had on hand and just recently switch to 99% as I finally used that bottle up.
I use standard plain (no colors, no scents, no nothing) kitchen paper towels to clean the plate between prints. I dump a 4-5" puddle on the plate and then rub it into the plate with a towel I've folded in half 4 times. I set the paper towel aside and will reuse it for a number of print preps (depends on how much time passes between wipe downs).
Every now and then I'll wash it good with soap and water and hit it with acetone in the same manner I use the IPA.
Most importantly, however, is that you try to never touch the side you'll be printing on once you've washed it with soap and water. Always handle it by the edges and areas outside the print area.
RE: Ispropyl alcohol sachets
Kitchen degreasers contain ethoxylated alcohols as one of the surfactants. Ethoxylated alcohols are extremely good at binding and solvating fat and oils. They even emulsify silicone oil.
Very interesting information! I have to try that.
Now have two sheets, one for PLA and one for PETG and TPU. The PLA-one is kept clean with Alcohol, but the one for PETG is covered with a layer of pure silicone oil.
I found that for printing TPU, a thick shiny layer of silicone oil works best. Adhesion is very good, but the part can easily be taken off the sheet.
For printing PETG I only use a very thin layer of silicone oil, so I wipe it with a clean paper towel after I apply the silicone oil until the surface becomes matte. This way the PETG sticks very well, but can be taken off as easily as PLA.
RE: Ispropyl alcohol sachets
Many thanks all, really useful answers! Will try your solutions