How to apply hairspray?
I’m running my first ABS print tonight, it’s a large flat piece. What could possibly go wrong? 😛
I placed the printer in a small cupboard and set a heater on before it started so the space would be toasty warm. Heater off just after the print started and hopefully the printer will maintain a reasonable temp in the space.
Anyway I haven’t used hairspray before. I read that it’s best to apply hairspray 30-60 seconds before the print starts, with hot bed, let it “cook”, then dab the bed dry.
My question is this.
Pre-heating the bed takes a good few minutes so how are you supposed to apply hairspray just before the print starts without removing the plate and scorching your hands? Surely it’s not a good idea to apply when the bed is attached to the printer, in case it gunks up the printer parts?
On my first try, I carefully applied hairspray with the bed attached to the printer but was quite worried over time this will affect the rods and motors. I did move the Z axis all the way to the top first, and extended the Y axis so the plate was all the way forward. Also wiped off some lubey dirt from the rods with paper towel and re applied a bit of lube.
Second question: the hairspray got most of the bed and you can see the texture. But in two places it kind of globbed and went white / thicker. Tried to gently rub it off at the last minute but looked like bits of paper towel might start to come off so just left it.
I know the internet is FULL of tips on using hairspray but none of them seem to address the above concerns.
Any tips?
RE: How to apply hairspray?
My first ABS attempt failed... I think the skirt was actually responsible for pulling up the edge due to the layout of the piece. I’ll need to make a bigger brim, remove the skirt... and try again!
RE: How to apply hairspray?
It is a light spray on the heating bed - Only use Aquanet.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: How to apply hairspray?
If you are in Europe and Aquanet is hard to come by, 3DLac is a good option, although a little more expensive. But a can lasts me around 10kg of filament typically (depending on the size of the prints, of course).
RE: How to apply hairspray?
Thanks all for the comments
And what about the danger of spraying when the steel sheet is on the bed? As I wrote above, pre-heating the bed takes a good few minutes so how are you supposed to apply hairspray just before the print starts without removing the plate and scorching your hands.