Recommended Sealant for 3d printed plant pots  

Recommended Sealant for 3d printed plant pots

I found this link. Il read through it.

https://blog.prusaprinters.org/watertight-3d-printing-pt1-vases-cups-and-other-open-models_48949/

How about...

.... a pourable sealant of some sort? (Thompson's?) A picture of your item would be helpful.

3D Print Epoxy coating

I use XTC-3D when I need to waterproof parts like vases or pots so they don't leak.

This is the link to the manufacturer site: https://www.smooth-on.com/product-line/xtc-3d

There are videos on the smooth-on site that shows how to apply it.

You can also buy it at sites like matter hackers or  amazon.

Posted by: @steadyeddie

Hi All,

Due to a less than ideal geometrical feature in my 3d printed pot, I am looking for a work around to seal the inside of the pot (PLA) from small water leaks.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

3D Print Epoxy coating

Thanks for this.

So it looks like its an epoxy resin then? I will have to find and equivalent as that product is not available in Germany where I reside.

3D Print Epoxy coating

It is a two part epoxy resin with a low viscosity.   It is the consistency of cooking oil. This allows you to pour it in a print and then rotate the print on its side to coat it.

You can try using a water based poly urethane product.  It won't be as clear as XTC-3D but it will stop leaks.

Posted by: @steadyeddie

Thanks for this.

So it looks like its an epoxy resin then? I will have to find and equivalent as that product is not available in Germany where I reside.

Spray on acrylic clear

I use clear acrylic spray to prevent water infiltration

UV resistance?

Posted by: @dan-rogers

I use clear acrylic spray to prevent water infiltration

Have you by any chance done any testing with UV-resistant acrylic sprays? Does the spray help much with filling in gaps?

I've done some dipping of transparent parts, but haven't tried spraying larger parts yet.

Helps with over-painting

The gaps get filled in - slightly with each coat.  What I like about it is that the acrylic oozes into the lines - bonding more than one layer, filling holes that would let in water.  It doesn't eliminate the layer lines though - not without many coats.  Trouble is though in this pandemic these sprays are no longer cheap.

Recommended Sealant for 3d printed plant pots

I presume when you ask about UV, is the suitability to leave PLA material outside if UV coated protected?

By default PLA is not suitable for long term use outside right?

Not just PLA, more a question about the effectiveness of "UV protection"

Posted by: @steadyeddie

I presume when you ask about UV, is the suitability to leave PLA material outside if UV coated protected?

By default PLA is not suitable for long term use outside right?

I was interested in experiences in general. PLA isn't the ideal outdoor material, but many PLA prints have lasted years outside. I use primarily PETG and have wondered with a coating would be worthwhile. Water sealing plus UV protection would be very useful.

PLA is not meant to be used outdoor. From various tests I could see on YouTube:

-Among all popular filaments, it changes/fades it's color fastest, if directly exposed to daylight (UV). Usually this happens within a year. How noticeable color changes are, depends on color of filament that was used. To prevent that, coating should really provide very high UV protection.
-If exposed to direct sunlight during summer, it will change shape because of low temperature resistance. Keep in mind, that even air temperatures in summer aren't "that" high, printed part will still heat up above 45... 50°C -temperetaure at which PLA becomes soft.
-Because of other outdoor influences (air pollution, humidity, etc.), PLA becomes brittle over the time and is not suited for functional outdoor parts.

I have no idea how much (and for how long) protection one can get with various coatings, though -still, temperature is a killer for PLA. Some will say, they have PLA stuff outside for several years and is still quite good looking. Now, define "quite good"...
Few weeks ago I a video was posted, where prints of various filaments were shown after being outside for 5 years (not coated). Video was mainly concentrated on color changes and my impression was: "quite poor" for PLA.

Leaky Pots

sorry if too late to be helpful (maybe future)- you could grab a 3D pen and use it to seal a section that printed poorly, fill cracks, add something later, connect to another print etc. Pens are magical, as it gives you the freedom of putting a nozzle at your fingertips. Might want to practice a bit, as this application of a pen isn't what most people seem to be using them for, when they are doing their "art" stuff (if I ever read another review focusing on "drawing vertically" while failing to mention the temperature limits or if the thing has variable extrusion speed or not....facepalm). I tend to use my pen similar to the way a printer extrudes- small layers, back and forth, very slow extrusion rate. I actually use a mynt3d pro on virtually the slowest rate it allows. Not expensive, and it has made my life a lot easier. Also, if anybody has experience with other pens, I'm definitely looking to get at least another one or two. These things are the bomb diggaty shiggity shwaaaaa

Posted by: @steadyeddie

Hi All,

Due to a less than ideal geometrical feature in my 3d printed pot, I am looking for a work around to seal the inside of the pot (PLA) from small water leaks.

Any suggestions? Thanks!