Smooth steel sheets and residue left behind from previous prints...
My issue is with the smooth steel sheets in particular and the residue left behind from previous prints. Since upgrading to MK4S and a brand new smooth sheet my prints are leaving a residue or outline from the previous print and it's very hard to remove. In turn it can transfer to the next print. for files where the bottom layer is visible this is a problem. Since there is no longer a first layer calibration (MK3S+) the adhesion is exceptional since the upgrade, but cleaning the sheet has become a challenge and rubbing alcohol does not remove it. Could it be the quality of the filament (mostly inland- U.S. microcenter product) I'm using? What other cleaners are available only stronger than rubbing alcohol are acceptable to clean smooth sheets? Or is scrubbing more effective? Dish soap, water and a scrubbing pad? If anyone has these same issues Please do share. Thanks in advance for any responses, C.
RE: Smooth steel sheets and residue left behind from previous prints...
Have you tried a glue/release agent like Vision Miner's Nano Polymer Adhesive? I've used it for about a month now, and it's better than Magigoo or a normal glue stick.
I use a good quality dish soap that doesn't have any perfumes or other ingredients that could contaminate the plate. Then I apply the NPA and use it consistently.
Regardless, I'm not sure you should be using *rubbing alcohol* because it's not straight alcohol and water. Isopropyl alcohol (90% is ideal) is fine, but alcohol isn't a degreaser.
Something like glue stick, hairspray or the commercial products I mentioned serve two functions. When the plate is hot, it acts as an adhesive. But when the print is finished and it cools down, it acts like a release agent (like greasing a pan so the food doesn't stick).
If you want to save money, start with the glue stick (e.g., Elmers) to appreciate the concept, and if that's not sufficient, or you don't like the slightly bumpy build surface it creates, again, I recommend the NPA.
RE: Smooth steel sheets and residue left behind from previous prints...
When I arrived to "3Dland" some years ago I started to use glue stick for adhesive, as recommended by Prusa ( wrongly IMHO ). Soon I realized that those white glue bars are messy and leave a rough finish to the bottom layer. Shortly afterwards I discovered 3Dlac, which has been my friend since then. It's quite cheap, easy to apply and easy to remove, when needed. 3Dlac, Laverneer and other similar products are basically hairspray without scents or additives, Magigoo or Dimafix are also good options but they're much more expensive.
As dish soap I use Fairy 'clean and pure'. It's totally transparent and colorless. Don't use dish soaps with a strong color ( deep blue, green, orange etc.) because these contain a lot of skin softeners, vitamines, perfumes and whatnot. Mostly oily compounds that will mess your bed adhesion.
To use glue(stick) cleanly: wipe once across the build sheet and then spread it thinly with a wet paper towel. You only need a very thin layer. Cheerio,
RE: Smooth steel sheets and residue left behind from previous prints...
even cleaner: wet a small spot of a paper towel with ethanol. Then touch the glue stick with the paper by ever so slightly rubbing. Wipe the paper across the cold sheet where the print will stick. The tiny layer of glue remains invisible. Neither on the sheet nor on the printed part. No need to clean afterwards. Dirt cheap.
If you print smaller parts often, distribute wear by positioning the part randomly on the sheet and not always in the middle as per default.