powder coated bed not sticking without glue?  

Re: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

You shouldn't need glue stick for PLA.

Have you cleaned the steel sheet with IPA?
Do you have a picture of your first layer?

Re: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

I suspect you need the nozzle closer to the bed. Print the test from here: https://shop.prusa3d.com/forum/assembly-and-first-prints-troubleshooting-f62/life-adjust-z-my-way-t2981.html#p97020

When you lift that single layer print from the bed, check that it is solid, and doesn't just fall apart into the individual strokes of the nozzle. If it's not solid, you're too far away.

Re: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

I had this same issue. I cleaned the powder coated sheet with soap and water and then acetone. I also made my nozzle closer to the bed as already suggested. With those two things I no longer need the glue stick for pla to stick to the powder coated sheet.

Re: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

After some more prints I am having the same issue. Now I just wash my sheet after every print and use a lot of glue. Is anyone else having this issue or did you find a solution?

Re: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

Same problem here... just got the build finished (first 3D printer!) and was already doubting myself, so thanks for this thread!
I got some 99.9% ipa coming in today, hope that helps...

edit: no, the 99.9% ipa doesn't help a bit... even lowered the extruder, no joy...

Re: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

I was having a similar problem with small parts. I recalibrated the first layer down to -.990 and that helped a lot. Also, make absolutely sure that the surface is clean and the heatbed is at the right temperature.

Re: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

Same problem here... just got the build finished (first 3D printer!) and was already doubting myself, so thanks for this thread!
I got some 99.9% ipa coming in today, hope that helps...

edit: no, the 99.9% ipa doesn't help a bit... even lowered the extruder, no joy...

Update: problem was caused by the nozzle still being to high; recalibrated the first layer to -1110 and all is fine now. Small wipe with the 99.9% ipa and start printing!

Re: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

I gave up, I finally pulled out the glue stick, and I'm trying that, I'll see what happens when it's done printing it looks like it's going to finally stayed in the bed.

Better than a glass bed.

Re: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

After a week of fighting with mine, trying everything suggested, thinking I had it, and then having it fail yet again, I've ordered a Build Tak sheet. Was really disappointed with all the hype. This thing is as slick as a sheet of ice. My 11 year old son told me nothing would stick to it before we even finished putting the kit together. He was right. I should have done my homework before ordering.

I use Build Tak on my Folgertech, and it works like a champ. Hoping for the same results when I receive my Build Tak for my MK3.

Re: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

BuildTak works well on the Prusa, btu ti can stick too much with PETG.

Re: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

The correct way to refresh the PEI surface is Acetone, pure 100% acetone.

I did a complete writeup here.

It's also mentioned in the handbook that to rejuvenate the PEI surface it should be wiped with acetone.

Strip off all your glue, then give it a thorough acetone bath.

If you want to abandon the powder coated bed, sell it to me, I'm still in the market for one.

Re: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

also filament with moisture will cause problems. i have one or two that will just never stick, even to glue... swap filaments, same gcode and z-height and not even have to re-wipe the bed and it sticks...

Re: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

BuildTak works well on the Prusa, btu ti can stick too much with PETG.

I find that a quick wipe with Windex works wonders for making PETG pop right off. It's the only chemical I have EVER used on any of my BuildTak. Acetone bath?! Why would I put up with that nonsense when I don't have to? I have a kid and a pet in the house. BuildTak and Windex is all I need.

Re: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

The correct way to refresh the PEI surface is Acetone, pure 100% acetone.

I did a complete writeup here.

It's also mentioned in the handbook that to rejuvenate the PEI surface it should be wiped with acetone.

Strip off all your glue, then give it a thorough acetone bath.

If you want to abandon the powder coated bed, sell it to me, I'm still in the market for one.

Powder coated has been long abandoned. I have no idea what a fair price would be, but I will look into it and get back to you with a price. Although I was toying with the idea of putting one of my spare BuildTak surfaces on it, and trying that out.

Re: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

I’m having the same problem with pla not sticking, however that’s not what this sheet was advertised for. It was made so that you can print PETG and flex filaments without destroying your standard PEI sheet. I mainly use it for Petg, ABS, and Flex filaments. For those it works every time with out failure.

RE: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

Ok, after months of using my Prusa I have learned many things. Each filament uses a different Z offset to work well, not that I know which offset for which filament, but at least I know what will F$^% up my bed. I now own several beds, only one in bad shape but still useable.

So if anyone reads this start very high, watch it not stick, and move down a little till it sticks. Or buy many beds and work your way up till you no longer damage the bed.

PRUSA love to hate it, but what else is there? PRUSA is like marriage, one day everything is fine, the next day the police are taking you to jail for assault.

RE: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

I hope this not too late for to you , Do not use Acetone to powder-coated sheet.
you can check this video.

RE: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

For Powder Coated sheets, an initial SOAP and HOT WATER wash has been found to be an effective way to improve PLA adhesion.  Seems there might be residue from the manufacturing process that alcohol alone can't touch.  Someone hinted a sugar or starch based compound is sticking to the surface. 

So pure dish soap/detergent; handle the sheet only by the edges to avoid re-contamination; a few drops of soap; fresh paper towels to scrub; a few gallons of hot water to rinse;  wipe off any residual water drops (water should bead and sheet off all by itself - if it doesn't the bed is still dirty).  Then bake the sheet on the printer at 80 for 30 minutes to get any moisture out of the texture.

RE: powder coated bed not sticking without glue?

Posted by: @tim-m30

For Powder Coated sheets, an initial SOAP and HOT WATER wash has been found to be an effective way to improve PLA adhesion. 

YES!! Thank you! That did it for me. I just finished building my MK3S with a powder-coat sheet, and have spent the last several hours recalibrating, cleaning with 99% isopropyl alcohol, calibrating again, trying the first test print on the SD card... and the print kept peeling off the bed in a corner, or the middle of the first layer.

Then I saw this post, took my steel sheet to the kitchen and washed it thoroughly in warm water and a lot of dish soap, then dried it with clean paper towels without touching it with my hands.

After going through the recalibration again, the PLA is finally sticking! My first test print (the rectangular plate on the SD card) is looking beautiful.