Clear PETG Polishing suggestions
So I've made these lens for a piece I'm putting together, and the PETG came out pretty opaque, as expected. But if I could make it more transparent that would be amazing for the finished product. Any recommendations on how to make clear PETG more clear? I read a few things online that suggested metal polishing should work, or clear resin to smooth it over by rubbing it in.
Link: Lens and PETG spool information
RE: Clear PETG Polishing suggestions
You may also want to check out https://www.printables.com/model/15310-how-to-print-glass
RE: Clear PETG Polishing suggestions
Micro Mesh.
https://micro-surface.com/product/kr-70-acrylic-plastic-restoral-kit/
RE:
I have never, in real life, seen or held an object printed on a common 3d printer which comes anywhere close to those samples on the web (and yes in Printables) which were said to have been made with Prusa and similar printers and do appear to be quite transparent.
My guess is that those samples were subjected to tedious post-processing and photographed to emphasize the degree of apparent transparency.
For my own projects, all I really need is a translucent object, and the windows in the image below were done with RepRappers (I think, could have been Overture) so-called transparent PETg. That is typical of the so-called transparent prints I've made and seen using PETg and ABS. I'm sure those windows could be made more clear by manually polishing, but I seriously question if window-pane or lens transparency is practical.
Now, having said that, one lady from our local makerspace who occasionally posts here has had reasonable luck using solvents (acetone, I'm sure, but I can't find the thread with a quick search) to get ABS prints which approach transparency. The one thread which I can't seem to locate has some examples of people printing objects through which the text from a printed page can be read. IIRC, all of these were smoothed using acetone or MEK vapors on ABS.
Now for PETg, I'm not sure of any solvent that will readily smooth it. You can try acetone and/or MEK if you want.
Dichloromethane/methylene chloride is said to work on PLA, and it may work on PET(g) as well, keeping in mind that it's nasty stuff to work with.
RE: Clear PETG Polishing suggestions
If your model is not load bearing and just ornamental, PVB is a great alternative and with simple ethanol vapor smoothing comes out truly transparent. But it is very soft and not useful for functional models.
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That was me and this is about as clear as you can get. This is an earring pendant done in transparent ABS. It's smoothed by dipping a mop brush in acetone and gently teasing the surface. A little goes a long way.
I've also done smoothing with acetone in a Mason jar and a paint can.
I've thought about trying to smooth PLA as well but somebody here talked me out of trying it a long time ago.
Lots of plastics can be polished to a high luster with some red or white rouge and a jeweler's wheel but I really haven't had much luck with 3d print plastics. It just kind of smears.
It just kind of smears.
Either polish wet or sloooooow down. As friction heat builds under a wheel the surface melts - and smears.
I have seen some surprisingly good results from a gemstone tumbler; sorry, don't have pics.
Cheerio,
RE: Clear PETG Polishing suggestions
greets, 3d activities return to the fore.
I do a good bit of clear I guess, overture is a decent brand anyway, and I'm a child of the 60's and Clear is technically stronger by a tiny bit.
So, its around, and I have played with the settings, as I am want to do. I have not treid to load whatever Cura is peddling these days and slice something for the MK3 with it, but I have gotten the distinct impressin from various webicles that PS keeps yo from getting everything just perfect.
the concept is selfevident the object needs 2 reflective surfaces to be 'transparent' so every movement needs to be parallel, hot, slow, and even width. I try to get16:9 beads. any surface deviating throws its reflections thru the object, and detracts incrementally
the shape of the model is going to dictate how close you get, and its seen in its environment as well.
the gap between the images on the web and what joe 6 pack can achieve at home, rightly pointed out above, well, burger king always looked better on TV .....
show to show off your creation you might want to control the lighting, minimize lighting the bad reflections, lrighten the item you are "seeing" thru the object etc