Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?  

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

@dimprov

this is not exactly what i used after i ran out of 3dlac spray.. i just checked what you could get in the states what might be the closest to the hairspray i used instead of 3dlac.  but if  u are interested in the exact name of the hairspray i used ... hold on.."Schwarzkopf "( thats the brand)

3 wetter taft ultra Haarlack ... if you put this in google you can see a picture for sure.  I still got a little bottle here for backup in case 3dlac is not fast enough to get.

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

@spooner-2

Thanks!  I'll give it a try.

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

Tell me how it worked for you 😉 👍 

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

I can confirm.  I order a can of 3DLac to try.  It is hair spray and very similar to Aquanet.  

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

@dimprov

https://www.3djake.de/3dlac?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1ZK56oza7gIVn4KDBx37bwDvEAAYASAAEgKh5fD_BwE

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

For the last 15 months, I have used a PRUSA textured sheet for PETG and found it works very well ONLY if I keep everything else away from it!.

If I print with PLA onto it, PETG will not stick to it period. Washing and giving it a scrub with Dawn / Fairy liquid will restore adhesion of PETG again as I believe the PLA leaves something like a sugary residue behind which IPA will not dissolve, only hot water and washing up liquid will shift it. I then paper towel dry and put the plate onto the printer with the heated bed set to 110 Deg C as this will evaporate any residual moisture from within the textured surface.

Using the sheet exclusively for PETG I can print time and time again without having to do anything, no washing, no IPA wiping and definitely no Acetone. It just works for both big and small prints.

Anyway, I am giving this sheet to my brother who has just ordered an i3 MK3S+ with a smooth sheet and I have started using a THEKKING Mk4 which has a slightly different texture, more smooth parts between the textured bits, whereas the PRUSA left a totally matt finish, this leaves a speckled, more glossy finish.

Adhesion is as good if not slightly better than the PRUSA sheet, but this is likely to be due to more flat parts in the texture (Think how well PETG adheres to smooth PEI!).

Again, this sheet will not see anything else except PETG.

The prints stick really well, yet pop off or even come away on their own when left to cool down, and I always print PETG at a bed temperature of 90 for first layer then 85 for the rest. No problems with adhesion or warped prints.

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

I did a sheet rundown for PLA - interest in the same for PETG?  

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

I have been using Thekiinngg on a few of my MK3S='s and a mini and the textured sheet gives great adhesion, and instant release. 

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

@rajputaman04

It is one of the best.  I cannot say it is the best for all filaments, but it is decent for most.  

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

Hi, if I want to print PETG that ends up with a smooth, clean surface on the side that is touching the build surface, which is the best build surface to use?

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

@prusanewuser

PEI smooth sheet with index.  

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

Posted by: @cwbullet

@prusanewuser

PEI smooth sheet with index.  

Do you mean Windex? I am sorry but as far as I know, Windex is used to clean the Prusa sheets to make the filament stick better. How can it be used to satisfy my requirement stated in my previous posting? In the past, when I printed PETG on the smooth PEI steel sheets, I had a hard time to remove the prints. Sometimes caused damages to the sheets. 

I have tried glue stick which came with the printer. It was hard to remove and a hole was created at the boundary between the region where I applied glue and not. Also tried Kapton tape. Impossible to apply without bubble nor winkle. Even a slight bubble or winkle ruined the appearance of the prints. Also tried a GeckoTek Hard sheet but there were some issues.

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

@prusanewuser

Yep, Windex.  For PETG, it serves as a release agent.  I don't know how/why, but apparently there must be some film left behind that allows PETG to release.  I print almost exclusively in PETG and use Windex before nearly every print.  Works great for me.

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

Posted by: @egar

@prusanewuser

Yep, Windex.  For PETG, it serves as a release agent.  I don't know how/why, but apparently there must be some film left behind that allows PETG to release.  I print almost exclusively in PETG and use Windex before nearly every print.  Works great for me.

So, as a side effect, using Windex to clean the PET smooth steel sheet before use allows the PETG to be removed more easily without damaging the sheet?

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

@prusanewuser

Yes, it does.  There is some cleaning that occurs with the Windex (e.g. remove finger prints), but it also leaves a film that allows PETG to be removed from PEI easily.  Let the build plate cool down, the just flex it and the print should come off easily.  The larger and the less flexible the print, the easier it removes.  I've had no damage to the PEI sheet after hundreds of hours of PETG printing and using Windex for a release agent.

Before going back to PLA, be sure to give the build plate a really good soap and water wash and use IPA, or else you will have problems getting the PLA to stick.

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

@egar

Thanks for sharing such important experience. 

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

@egar

Hundreds of hours? Several of my printers have thousands.  Windex works, but it will work less as the sheet ages.  I recommend you keep some plastic razor blades around to clean up the sheet.  

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

@cwbullet

I aspire to be like you -- thousands.  I've only had my printer about 3 months, but giving it a good workout during that time.  I've really learned a lot from you and the great people on this forum.  Thanks!

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

@egar

I am just saying, expect that Windex helps and as it starts to fail, save the plate for pla.  PETG and ABS is rough the plates even with Windex.  

RE: Which are the best build surfaces for PETG?

Hi, in the past, Support just asked me to wash their sheets with IPA followed by rubbing the surface with disk soap and warm water with the rough side of a sponge.

In the case of using Windex on the PEI smooth steel skeet, what is the proper procedure? I first cleaned the PEI sheet with Windex. Then, just in case, I submerged it in the sink with warm water and some more Windex. Then, I cleaned the entire sheet with paper towel. After that, I sprayed more Windex on large paper towel and clean the sheet again. During the first layer print, in some area the PETG did not stick to the PEI sheet. I guess my method of cleaning may be wrong. Could you please provide the proper procedure on how to clean the PEI sheet with Windex?