PETG printing table cleaning
Hello,
I have just started to print with PETG, and to prevent the materials sticking too much on the plane, I use the glue stick.
Before printing, apply a light coat to the PEI and then start printing.
Once I finished printing, and I removed the molded parts, it's hard for me to clean the table perfectly.
What products/methods do you use?
As I have opened this discussion, I would like to take this opportunity to ask you another quick question about PETG printing. Once the pieces had been removed from the printing table, I noticed that in some areas of the PEI they formed like tiny bubbles. Is that normal? Do I get a bit wrong with my print preparation and risk ruining my print plan?
Thanks!
Re: PETG printing table cleaning
Hi Vallo,
Tiny bubbles after a print are common, they should disappear after a few heat cycles.
glue stick, works for PETG But it's messy.
talcum powder, sprinkled on the surface and polished in with a tissue, also works for petg and tpu.
just make sure there is no loose powder left on the surface
windex window cleaner also works for petg and tpu. wipe on and let dry...
at a pinch, forehead grease alsoworks, wipe your hand over your forehead, then across the build plate...
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
Re: PETG printing table cleaning
glue stick is water soluble, just rinse it with water, and it turns into a slimy slush you can wash off
Re: PETG printing table cleaning
Windex has been good to me with PETG. It’s also Prusa’s advice.
When someone asks you if you're a god, you say, "YES!"
Re: PETG printing table cleaning
I do IPA and dish soap.
Dish soap every print. IPA every 3 to 4.
I've been printing in PETG exclusively for a couple weeks, with zero adhesion or release issues.
YMMV.
Re: PETG printing table cleaning
Windolene instead of Windex if you are in the UK. Windex/Windolene has the major advantage that it can be used to clean the bed between PETG prints as well as acting as a separator.
Regards,
Martin
Martin Wolfe
Re: PETG printing table cleaning
I use Dimafix, it enhance first layer adhesion when hot and prevent the print to stick to the PEI sheet, after printing just put the PEI sheet under water to easely clean it.
MK4/MMU3 - VORON 2.4 350 Stealthburner
Re: PETG printing table cleaning
It seems like anything that form a thin film between the PEI surface and the PETG will work - Window cleaner, soap, disk-wash, forehead grease, talcum, glue-stick and similar.
Take your pick 😛
I use windows cleaner, not branded but a cheap ECO marked, and micro fiber fabric to distribute it on the PEI surface in a very thin layer. Work best when build plate is cool.
Have a look at my models on Printables.com 😉
Re: PETG printing table cleaning
Never used glue stick for PETG. Using Windex but as it was already mentioned, anything should work which can give you slight separation film. Raising the Z-height helps also a lot to prevent melting things together.
Often linked posts:
Going small with MMU2
Real Multi Material
My prints on Instagram
Re: PETG printing table cleaning
Thank you all for the answers. I've never tried the Windex, and I'd like to try it.
Can you tell me if this is the right one? https://www.amazon.it/Windex-Original-Glass-Cleaner-23-0-Fluid/dp/B01GFLZ0WU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1531860193&sr=8-3&keywords=windex
Re: PETG printing table cleaning
Thank you all for the answers. I've never tried the Windex, and I'd like to try it.
Can you tell me if this is the right one? https://www.amazon.it/Windex-Original-Glass-Cleaner-23-0-Fluid/dp/B01GFLZ0WU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1531860193&sr=8-3&keywords=windex
Yes, it's the right one. But don't waste money if you're in europe. There is nothing special in it. It's just the one most used in USA. Try any glass cleaner which is based on IPA. See the ingredients https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windex
Often linked posts:
Going small with MMU2
Real Multi Material
My prints on Instagram
Re: PETG printing table cleaning
Thank you all for the answers. I've never tried the Windex, and I'd like to try it.
Can you tell me if this is the right one? https://www.amazon.it/Windex-Original-Glass-Cleaner-23-0-Fluid/dp/B01GFLZ0WU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1531860193&sr=8-3&keywords=windex
Yes, it's the right one. But don't waste money if you're in europe. There is nothing special in it. It's just the one most used in USA. Try any glass cleaner which is based on IPA. See the ingredients https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windex
Thanks!
Re: PETG printing table cleaning
I use IPA every half dozen prints or so and windex between each print.
Have had no issue with under or over adhesion.
RE: PETG printing table cleaning
I'm finding a lot of information regarding what to do before you print. What if you've screwed up and used Isopropyl Alcohol to prep the smooth board and the printer lays down an extremely thin layer of PET-G and then the print fails before the second layer. How do you remove the PET-G without destroying the smooth PEI build plate? I wish I knew about the Windex trick before I tried to print with PET-G the first time.
RE: PETG printing table cleaning
I'm finding a lot of information regarding what to do before you print. What if you've screwed up and used Isopropyl Alcohol to prep the smooth board and the printer lays down an extremely thin layer of PET-G and then the print fails before the second layer. How do you remove the PET-G without destroying the smooth PEI build plate? I wish I knew about the Windex trick before I tried to print with PET-G the first time.
Theres a couple of things you could try. First you could redo the print over the old one. This way it can build up to the thicker part and then you manually stop once its thick enough that it would normally pop off with flexing.
Secondly you could try putting the flex plate in the freezer for awhile. The theory is that the metal plate will contract more from the cold than the plastic which loosens the part. Not sure how that would work with the single layer remains of a print though.
RE: PETG printing table cleaning
@joseph-s23
I have successfully used IPA on the edge between the PETG part and the smooth build plate, flexing the plate. It tend to flow in under the part and helps loosen it.
If the PETG layer is too thin, follow the advice from neophyl and make the part ticker.
Have a look at my models on Printables.com 😉
RE: PETG printing table cleaning
@neophyl
Thanks, reprinting over the thin layer and then freezing the build plate helped tremendously. You can still see a faint outline of the part, but the PET G is gone enough so I can still use the plate.
RE: PETG printing table cleaning
Like Prusa says - the plates are consumables. There will always be a faint ghosting of previous parts.
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