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First layer problems?  

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Dawn Cowe
(@dawn-cowe)
Active Member
First layer problems?

I’m having issues with the first layer. After printing (see pic) it’s almost like the brim is turned on or supports which is definitely not. What else could be causing this? I’ve tried turning down the speed.

Posted : 08/07/2025 3:55 pm
Dawn Cowe
(@dawn-cowe)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: First layer problems?

More apparent on this picture, printing in PETG on a smooth plate. 

Posted : 08/07/2025 4:29 pm
blauzahn
(@blauzahn)
Honorable Member
RE: First layer problems?

Looks like you have a raft below the print. By default it is usually turned off. For the "ghosting test", if necessary, use a brim instead. Its adhesion surface towards the bed is small. Alternatively you can model so called mickey mouse ears to ends and corners of parts that tend to warp upwards.

For PETG the smooth plate is not ideal. Using glue to limit adhesion is mandatory on it. The first picture shows a high adhesion. Yet you do not have to use that much glue. Nowadays, the satin-sheet is a nice allrounder for printing on PETG, PLA and other filaments. see prusa's material-guide table. On the satin sheet you do not need any glue for PETG at all. Degrease it with plain dish-soap and hot water. If you stay away from the sheet with your fingers, you can print many dozens of pieces without any cleaning or glueing in between.

For scraping I can recommend a ceran-board scraper. Round the corners a little and use it exclusively for the 3D-printing sheets. 

Posted : 08/07/2025 5:18 pm
Dawn Cowe
(@dawn-cowe)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: First layer problems?

Thanks, just to confirm I don’t use a lot of glue and have been printing with PETG for over a month, successfully. All of a sudden this happened on the last few prints. I use dish soap and warm water to the clean the smooth plate too.  Raft was definitely not turned on neither brim or supports. 

I can’t understand how it’s just started when I’ve not changed any settings. 

Posted : 08/07/2025 5:25 pm
blauzahn
(@blauzahn)
Honorable Member
RE: First layer problems?

Must have been the proverbial cat that ran across your keyboard.

Cleaning the smooth sheet too with dish soap and hot water is fine. If you print PETG rather often you will probably like the satin-sheet.

 

Posted : 08/07/2025 5:44 pm
FoxRun3D
(@foxrun3d)
Illustrious Member
RE: First layer problems?

I can’t understand how it’s just started when I’ve not changed any settings. 

Please upload the 3mf project file you used for this print using Attach file below the text edit box. It will contain all your settings so we can see what's going on. Make sure you zip compress it or the forum software will reject it. 

Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- https://foxrun3d.com/

Posted : 08/07/2025 9:05 pm
Dawn Cowe
(@dawn-cowe)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE:

Will do, thank you.

I have just tested it with PLA on a different project and this same issue doesn’t happen. 

Let me reload PETG and redo the same project and then save the 3MF file zipped of course. I’ll update shortly. 

This post was modified 3 weeks ago by Dawn Cowe
Posted : 08/07/2025 9:29 pm
GBMaryland
(@gbmaryland)
Trusted Member
RE: First layer problems?

I had a very similar problem using the Prusa textured steel plate… printed totally fine for a month and then started having first layer issues on very fine printed items suddenly. Did everything you did, and the solution was build plate glue.

Build plate glue….Nano Polymer Adhesive… 

 It sure if anyone mentioned this, but Prusa indicates you should be using a “release agent” on the smooth PEI sheet with PETG… or it could damage the plate.

Posted : 08/07/2025 10:29 pm
Dawn Cowe
(@dawn-cowe)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: First layer problems?

Thanks for the info. I’ll have a look further.

ive just bought a Satin & Textured one from Prusa because I’ll need them in the future anyway. 

Posted : 08/07/2025 10:49 pm
Dawn Cowe
(@dawn-cowe)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: First layer problems?

Apparently Windex is good as a release agent. I’m going to use it. See this article: https://www.reddit.com/r/FixMyPrint/s/GxeFAZdAG4

Posted by: @gbmaryland

I had a very similar problem using the Prusa textured steel plate… printed totally fine for a month and then started having first layer issues on very fine printed items suddenly. Did everything you did, and the solution was build plate glue.

Build plate glue….Nano Polymer Adhesive… 

 It sure if anyone mentioned this, but Prusa indicates you should be using a “release agent” on the smooth PEI sheet with PETG… or it could damage the plate.

 

Posted : 08/07/2025 10:52 pm
GBMaryland
(@gbmaryland)
Trusted Member
RE: First layer problems?

I think what they mean by release agent is really adhesive… by putting a thin layer of adhesive on it, it allows it not to damage the PEI sheet.

Honestly, Windex does not surprise me at all… just like in My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Posted : 08/07/2025 10:57 pm
Dawn Cowe
(@dawn-cowe)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: First layer problems?

I use 3D LAC 80ml Adhesive Stick currently, which is really good and not had any issues. I've also got Elegoo's spray-on glue, which I'm starting to think may be causing the issues and also Creality Glue Stick. I like to have a few lol. 

Posted : 09/07/2025 12:01 am
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