How to remove a PETG print  

RE: How to remove a PETG print

Read through the manual and you'll find a section on printing recommendations for different materials. For PETG, it specifically notes that you want some sort of release agent on the PEI sheet to avoid damage. A spray with Windex is recommended by Prusa. Many have found a few wipes with the fingers suffice. In extreme cases, apply some gluestick to help reduce the grip of the filament to the PEI. You may also want to raise your Live-Z setting in the range 0f 0.02-0.2mm since PETG doesn't need the squish PLA does.

RE: How to remove a PETG print

Thanks for the prompt reply bobstro.   I had read the "Windex" suggestion in the manual, and wrongly assumed that it was mostly alcohol, but there's plenty of other stuff  in there as well.  Anyway, I gave it a try with the same print I ran yesterday, and although stuck well, the print came off without any problems.    I might keep one side of my PEI sheet for PLA and the other for PETG.

RE: How to remove a PETG print

@stinkypete

Windex (the blue kind) has been working pretty well for me. I clean with IPA once in a while but before each print use a good squirt of Windex on the cold bed and wipe it around, covering everything so it is completely wet and then let it air dry. After three months of 16 hour a day use with PETG I pretty much wore one side out and flipped it over to the other side. There still is some white residue that remained and some gauges started to come off. 

I use a combination of plastic razor blades and a cookie spatula to help get things off. Once you bend the flex plate and get one corner to separate, it is much easier to get the rest off. Small and thin pieces like the PPE ear savers are the hardest as flexing the plate doesn't help start things off.

Regards,

Mark

RE: How to remove a PETG print

Using IPA before printing PETG is exactly what you should not do. As noted above Prusa suggests to use Windex or even glue stick. I do exactly what @marklgoldberg does for PETG - wipe the sheet down so it's very wet with Windex and let it air dry (it only takes a minute). The PETG prints pop right off.

Remember the print sheet is a "consumable" product meaning that you should expect it to wear out over time; PETG definitely accelerates this and removes a tiny amount each time you remove a print from the sheet. It's not a big deal if you're a casual printer switching between PLA and PETG, but if you print with PETG constantly you will visibly see the effect.

Also - I'm not sure exactly what in Windex does the trick as a release agent (Windex does have something in it that makes a soapy-like foam) however I noticed there are 3 or 4 types including (in my store) a "WINDEX AMMONIA-FREE GLASS CLEANER". I don't know if the other types are better or worse so I go out of my way to find "Original" (which has been a challenge until recently due to Covid).

Good luck!

RE: How to remove a PETG print

@steve-e3

I use whichever windows cleaner I have at hand, I think last I bought from nearby shop, and they work OK. I think most important is that it leaves some residue from all those perfumes and polishing components and PETG is not printing on PEI directly. 

RE: How to remove a PETG print

What about using the textured steel sheet for PTEG ? Would that require the surface prep such as windex or glue sticks?

RE: How to remove a PETG print

I always do a small test print with PETG.  If it is a very sticky filament, I use Windex to prep the bed.  It reduced adhesion post-print.  

I have a small bottle that I refill for spraying.  

RE: How to remove a PETG print

Posted by: @kevman

What about using the textured steel sheet for PTEG ? Would that require the surface prep such as windex or glue sticks?

I just wash it with dish soap once in a while and clean with IPA between prints, nothing else.

RE: How to remove a PETG print

@kevman

Yes - same for textured sheets.

RE: How to remove a PETG print

I use glue stick on my smooth sheet. So far every print comes out pretty easily once you flex the sheet.

RE: How to remove a PETG print

@geoper2

I don't need it with PLA.  

RE: How to remove a PETG print

My PETg prints always seem to pop right off of the textured sheet after cooling to room temperature and giving a few gentle bends to the sheet.

I really think that having the patience to let a hot print cool helps quite a bit in the removal, for almost every type of print.

RE: How to remove a PETG print

@jsw

How old is your sheet?  While what you say is true for a new sheet, it might not be in 12-16 months.  

RE: How to remove a PETG print

@charles-h13

When I recommend using glues tick I am only talking about PETG prints . PLA doesn't need a medium to come off. On the contrary I use IPA after a couple of prints with PLA in order to have better adhesion.

RE: How to remove a PETG print

Posted by: @geoper2

@charles-h13

When I recommend using glues tick I am only talking about PETG prints . PLA doesn't need a medium to come off. On the contrary I use IPA after a couple of prints with PLA in order to have better adhesion.

That is definitely true.  You have to clean the bed regularly to maintain adhesion.