How to smooth PLA print layer lines quickly and easily using wood filler and acetone! Please make sure to use proper PPE like respirators and gloves. More cosplay and prop making tutorials on my channel!
Thank you! I was having a really hard time applying putty to fill gaps in my prints before it turns into dust, thinning the filler works so much better!
@universeofemily yes, thank you very much! I was watching another RU-vidr and he recommended about $70+ worth of things, and ALLOT of steps. Yours looked perfect for me and probably will cost about $30? As long as I have a sander. Which I don't, but I need one anyway, so it works out. Thanks again!
I'm really glad to see that you are using wood filler. I've long found it to be better than what people tend to recommend for this purpose (Bondo) because it's easier to sand than the part itself, but adheres perfectly. I've often recommended it to others, but never saw it being recommended, so this short feels like a bit of vindication
For sure! And i agree 100%! I actually have a wood filler vs bondo pros and cons video here if you’re interested! instagram.com/reel/CxvWoE2LXMd/?igsh=MXRrcnpma2I4YWxvcg==
Thats impressive. I print functional parts at work so i generally dont care about layer lines but once in a while it comes up. Ill be using the wood filler acetone trick. Good work and thanks for sharing
I had the instagram reel of this saved for a long time, and Im finally trying it out! Ive been using bondo, but want to be able to do this inside when its so damn hot outside! Im excited to try it out
This method is amazing and to be honest its between this method and using spotting glaze putty (red colored and sold in tubes at auto stores/walmart/auto isles) that are the best way to smoothen out your prints. Just no acetone with ABS but you can use denatured alcohol and you would use a lesser ratio as compared to 1:2 more like it would be more like 1:1.5
Love glaze putty too! I think there are pros and cons to each. I made a comparison video here if youre interested! instagram.com/reel/CxvWoE2LXMd/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Excellent tip, have a couple of rc bodies i printed, was not looking forward to weeks of sanding :D gonna try your tip, thank you very much! Subbed just for this excellent solution, keep up the great work young lady!
i’ve been doing bodywork for 20+ years and for sanding anything especially plastics. , a DA sander is a your best friend, it faster than a vibrating sander. and will use less sandpaper. just wanted to share. keep up the great work
Bondo can be mixed with acetone too for similar usage! I did some comparing and contrasting of the two for a video here if you’re interested: instagram.com/reel/CxvWoE2LXMd/
Thank you so much I’m new to 3d printing and been looking for paint stuff. Still looking for the right paint to get. Got the I got the wood fill in my cart now I just need to know what sanders I get.
It’s a good thing she’s using PLA. Stronger resistance to solvents. Still brittle with less heat resistance than ABS but won’t melt in your hands when submerged in a tub of acetone. Good thing it’s diluted with wood filler as well!
You should check out a sandable primer like FP401 primer surfacer. Used to use it all the time as an HVLP sprayer in a production factory, we got it from Sherwin Williams in gallon cans and pumped it into spray cans. It worked great, spray it on let it sit for 15 minutes and it sands in no time.
I’ve been using that red glazers putty, which is kinda hard to find and I usually have to order it online. But I’m going to start using that wood filler an acitone thing
Pro tip: wet your pla prints with cold water when sanding. Otherwise the friction heats it up and it starts gumming up and becomes hard to sand. Wet sanding with cold water will be much faster and cleaner.
Hand sand PLA with rough paper under a faucet or with periodic soaking with water. It sands better because material is removed by the water and the plastic stays hard because of the cooling effect of the water.
If you wanted to do an alternative for using acetone, you can buy Darhams water putty. Its in powder form and you just add water to get the same affect as with acetone(being liquid). Though doesn't dry as quickly as acetone would, can be an alternative if doing it with ABS
Ive been using automotive grade lightweight body filler. This woodfiller and acetone idea would be a tone cheaper and easier work with. Ill give it a shot on my next painted build.
Yasssss!!!! My impatient ass usually just sands down some then shoots on some primer/filler spray and sand a touch then just paint the hell out of it lol. Im gonna do better lol
Bondo is also great!! I think there’s pros and cons to each. I did a comparison video here if you or your husband are interested! instagram.com/reel/CxvWoE2LXMd/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
I just started 3D printing last month, so I really appreciate these kinds of videos! Does it have to be wood filler? Can I use Bondo spot putty with the same ratio?
@@universeofemily Sorry for the late reply, but I've just learned this lesson haha! Going to try using wood filler now. Thanks again, and I subscribed!
if you can find spray putty (i like the motip brand, works out about $5 a can) then give that a go, it's a dream for doing this, easier to sand than wood filler and doesn't leave texture of its own.
Hi, thanks for the info. This has been helpful for my prints. What is your method of removing the dust off the prints after sanding. At times when I wash my prints, the filler is somewhat ruined
Is there a reason to prefer wood filler rather than thinning something like spackle? I think the grain size is smaller in the latter, so the finish is potentially better.
hello!! forgive me for the silly question, but can i use 100% acetone nail polish remover that i got from the dollar store for this?? it says the ingredients are: “acetone, denatonium benzoate”
There’s no silly questions! Yes you can! If you end up liking the method though it may be more cost effective to buy acetone from home depot or your local hardware store! It will usually be in the cleaning supplies aisle:)
Interesting, but seems infeasible for my case: do you have recommendations for larger miniatures prints (6inx6x3) with moderately fine surface details?
If anyone needs something more heat resistant than the wood filler would be. Evercoat glaze putty is similar an a automotive standard. Way better than bondo brand trust
I used to use that method before learning this. It looks relatively similar if you do it right but my last project was a phantom of the opera mask and it took me about 10 straight hours of sanding so I wouldn't recommend that method if you can avoid it.
no idea how i ended up here but i think print lines give the piece character.. If you want a injection molded part, well buy it lmao.. Not everything has to be as smooth as can be. At least my opinion.
