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Why is my printer doing this?  

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powelljustin
(@powelljustin)
Active Member
Why is my printer doing this?

My printer was working great for quite a while but then over time it started messing up as you see below.  It does this across multiple filament types.  Practically all prints are failing now.  It looks like it would be a Z axis issue but I've adjusted that up and down several times without success.  I'm hoping that someone will recognize the issue from this picture and be able to help before I take the next step and completely dissassembled/clean/reassemble things.  Thanks for any help.

Posted : 09/11/2020 10:29 pm
Neophyl
(@neophyl)
Illustrious Member
RE: Why is my printer doing this?

Just looks like a simple case of an unclean print surface to me. Any oilly contaminants will cause the filament to lift just like that.  
Try cleaning it with plain dish soap and plenty of hot water to rinse it away. Works much better than ipa. 

Posted : 09/11/2020 10:52 pm
powelljustin
(@powelljustin)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Why is my printer doing this?

Thanks for the tip neophyl.  I have been cleaning pretty religiously with IPA but I will try dish soap and hot water.

Posted : 09/11/2020 11:25 pm
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(@)
Illustrious Member
RE: Why is my printer doing this?

@powelljustin

For grins, what was your IPA cleaning process? Describe it in detail, please.

Posted : 10/11/2020 12:01 am
powelljustin
(@powelljustin)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Why is my printer doing this?

Pour alcohol on paper towel. Rub soaked towel on print surface each side. Touch print surface only on edges. 

That’s pretty much it. 

Posted : 10/11/2020 12:06 am
powelljustin
(@powelljustin)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Why is my printer doing this?

I cleaned with dish soap, rinsed with warm water and then cleaned with IPA. The first layer looks much better. Thanks so much!  I am truly impressed by the knowledge and willing to help here. 

I’m also a little embarrassed the solution was so simple. 

This post was modified 4 years ago by powelljustin
Posted : 10/11/2020 12:34 am
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(@)
Illustrious Member
RE: Why is my printer doing this?

After soap and water - do not use alcohol. No need because soap and water gets the bed cleaner than alcohol can.

And if you ever get to a point you need to use acetone, apply it directly as a small puddle on the print bed. Dabbing it onto a paper towel doesn't get enough product to do the job at hand.

Same for alcohol : if you want to do a quick clean of an incidental finger print, pour alcohol directly onto the print sheet, then wipe it up.

This post was modified 4 years ago 2 times by --
Posted : 10/11/2020 1:39 am
Calire liked
powelljustin
(@powelljustin)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Why is my printer doing this?

Thanks for the tips

Posted : 10/11/2020 2:20 am
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