PLA residue on Smooth PEI is transferred to next print (even after cleaning)
Hi All,
Just got my printer setup a couple of days ago so I'm a total Newbie. I have printed several prints with PLA on Smooth PEI, and PETG on Textured without any issue. I read to clean with 90+ rubbing alcohol (I'm using isopropyl alcohol 99% USP).
I noticed this does not completely remove the residue left on the Smooth PEI sheet with PLA and there is a slight imprint from the previous print on the bottom of the next print.
Is this normal and to be expected or should I be able to get the sheet 100% clean with no markings?
Otherwise all prints have been excellent!
Thanks in advance!
RE: PLA residue on Smooth PEI is transferred to next print (even after cleaning)
A clean kitchen sponge, some dawn and hot water is what you want to clean the smooth sheet with to get rid of any residue and oils from your fingers. A good scrub should get most of that. Also try to wait until the sheet cools before removing the print.
RE: PLA residue on Smooth PEI is transferred to next print (even after cleaning)
I tried cleaning with sponge, blue dawn and hot water. The last print impression remains on the sheet. I can still see the outline of this residue on next print. Not sure if I need to apply a tremendous force on the sheet while cleaning but don't want to scratch it.
RE: PLA residue on Smooth PEI is transferred to next print (even after cleaning)
I have a smooth sheet that has a ghost image from something I printed in TPU. I think it's because I sometimes don't wait until the sheet completely cools to pull the print. hasn't affected the adhesion for me though. I only keep the smooth sheets for printing PLA these days. The satin sheet is they way to go for PETG and tpu.
RE: PLA residue on Smooth PEI is transferred to next print (even after cleaning)
I am experiencing the same thing - PLA residue on the smooth PEI. In addition, I'm getting really strong adhesion. Flexing the plate, releases the part, but it's difficult to remove the brim or the base of supports. I use a PETG spatula or finger nails to pick at the remaining pieces. Searching the forum, it looks like most people are having trouble getting PLA to stick, where I'm experiencing the opposite. I clean with Dawn soap and hot water every 10-20 prints and between each give it a quick wipe with IPA. I'm printing Prusa PLA with the default filament settings. I've tried putting down a little of the glue stick and spreading it out with a paper towel and IPA. It's better, but difficult to do consistently - sometimes the first layer won't stick.
With the high adhesion, I'm worried about damaging or increased wear on the PEI plate.
Is this normal? Any advice? Thanks.
RE: PLA residue on Smooth PEI is transferred to next print (even after cleaning)
I never solved this issue. Cleaning with soap and water helped a bit but I can still see previous print impressions on the plate and on the bottom of my prints. I believe part of the problem is the residue has a melting temp of PLA and hot water isn't enough to remove it.
Regarding the high-adhesion, the only thing that works best for me is letting the plate cool completely, then flex. The brim and any single layers are still hard to come off because they flex with the plate. That being said, I'd prefer to have too high adhesion than not enough. My PLA comes off with a little effort, but what I consider "a good amount of adhesion". I never print PETG on the smooth sheet as I have read it has very high adhesion and didn't want to take the chance. I like the satin the best for this purpose.
Unfortunately, I'm a newbie when it comes to 3d printing and have only ever used a Prusa with these metal plates, so don't have the experience to know if this is normal or not. It's always difficult to gauge if there is a problem or not with subjective quesitons. If there was a method of testing adhesion levels with a gauge of some sort, to give it a numerical value, I'd be willing to test it out.
RE: PLA residue on Smooth PEI is transferred to next print (even after cleaning)
I think that this is normal with the smooth sheet (including sometimes impressions of previous prints on the bottom of a new print). Specific marks often tend to disappear/self heal over time though.
Hi All,
Just got my printer setup a couple of days ago so I'm a total Newbie. I have printed several prints with PLA on Smooth PEI, and PETG on Textured without any issue. I read to clean with 90+ rubbing alcohol (I'm using isopropyl alcohol 99% USP).
I noticed this does not completely remove the residue left on the Smooth PEI sheet with PLA and there is a slight imprint from the previous print on the bottom of the next print.
Is this normal and to be expected or should I be able to get the sheet 100% clean with no markings?
Otherwise all prints have been excellent!
Thanks in advance!
RE: PLA residue on Smooth PEI is transferred to next print (even after cleaning)
Those ghost images just seem to happen on the PEI surfaces for some reason.
They do fade over time.
I've found that using something like Layerneer will reduce the intensity of the ghost image on the bottom of another print, as well as to act as a release agent.
RE: PLA residue on Smooth PEI is transferred to next print (even after cleaning)
Thank you all for your feedback. I'll consider it normal and continue on. I'll make sure it has cooled before I try to remove the part. It's better than parts not sticking.
RE: PLA residue on Smooth PEI is transferred to next print (even after cleaning)
I can confirm that Ethyl acetate works great for removing that residue on the build plate without damaging the PEI coating.