Printing with PETG  

RE: Printing with PETG

Posted by: @cwbullet

@jluvs2ride

It absolutely can be.  I have had several material that are less adhesive and required more squish.  

Charles speaks the truth, adjusting per material can make all the difference, you have to learn the characteristics of each one, and you will with time. and if you have access to original Windex it makes a big difference relative to adhesion on smooth PEI. If you clean your smooth PEI sheet very well and then give a squirt of original Windex before printing PETG on it, it will hold perfectly for the entire print and release like PLA after cooling. without it your headed for the freezer. but you still need a good first layer and yours is high in the image shown.

RE: Printing with PETG

Posted by: @jluvs2ride

@cwbullet

I have been scrupulous about cleaning the bed using a microfiber cloth and 97% isopropyl alcohol before and after prints.

So if I use Windex, do I want to leave some residue or follow with a cloth dampened with clean water?

Clean the bed thoroughly as you would normally, IPA or soap and water, which ever, and then before printing with PETG give the bed a squirt of original Windex and wipe it off with a paper towel just like you would do a window, and start printing your PETG, it's that simple, if your printing anything else you wont want the Windex, so clean it with IPA or soap and water and carry on. BTW if your printing ABS, ASA, TPU, Nylon or PC on smooth PEI use Glue stick for sure, or some type of release. PLA on smooth PEI is perfect just how it is.

RE: Printing with PETG

@swiss_cheese

I can't disagree with this either.  I would try cleaning first then squishing.  

RE: Printing with PETG

@cwbullet

First run of my PETG spoon print on smooth sheet - using Windex.  It worked.  Slid off with finger pressure, no damage to the plate.

I just reset and am making another run.  Three more to go after that for the day.

RE: Printing with PETG

😉

RE: Printing with PETG

@cwbullet

Ok CW, I'm sold.  It's a little iffy getting "just the right amount of windex down" - but I've learned that if I stay back a few feet and just hit the trigger while I sweep a small arc, I get a good mist on the bed, without those "you aren't gonna get anything to stick with these bubbles" amount on the plate.

I even took a chance and switched over to my last, brand new, smooth PEI steel sheet.  See how much far I've come in trusting this?

Verdict:  Windex makes PETG possible on the smooth sheet.  You need a fine mist.  And be prepared to adjust live Z on each and every print because depending on how much windex residue is down there, you might need a tighter squish on your .20 layer.

RE: Printing with PETG

@dan-rogers

I am glad it worked, especially since you used your last pristine surface.  

RE: Printing with PETG

@dan-rogers

I've been working with swiss_cheese the last couple days and He's sold me the windex thing.   I didn't find the windex iffy at all.  After scrubbing with dawn platinum I spray it right on and then use a paper tow towel to wipe it evenly so the whole thing is covered without any bubbles, but not wiping it off completely.   he helped me get my layer height figured out and with that, it sticks just as it should.  I was doing painters tape + glue for everything lol   Thanks also cw I know you suggested that or hairspray.