Smooth out those PLA prints without sanding.

[Wrencher]

A very easy method to finish parts with out sanding. I used this method on the wheels for the Icon FJ44 wheels i felt it worked very good. Just make sure you do a couple light coats and dont try to apply it too thick. here is the video that I learned from.

On some smaller parts I also tried an even easier method. First I would spray the model with a thin coat of flat primer. Once that had dried I sprayed over primer with some gloss paint. The gloss seems to settle in the low spots of the layer seams. Once that has dried really well, Paint over the gloss with what you want your top layer or finish to be. I found it worked very well on parts that where to small to sand. just enough to hide the layer lines a bit.

Hope this helps.

Chris

 

[kildan]

thanks for these suggestion, it is certainly faster than sanding-priming method for a whole car body

 

[Bill Maryka]

I use automotive high fill primer. Its heavier than regular primer and sand between coats. Most time the grooves are gone in 3 coat.

 

[imthatguy]

I use automotive high fill primer. Its heavier than regular primer and sand between coats. Most time the grooves are gone in 3 coat.

Sadly, along with a lot of the details! Try the resin method, while I somehow missed this thread, I did my own research and found that it works substantially better than High-Fill primer.

 

[UpsidedownRC]

Great thread topic! I'm just looking to do this so this video was perfect.

 

[mrb1218]

Do you think this would also work with PETG?

 

[UpsidedownRC]

Do you think this would also work with PETG?

It would be worth a try, maybe produce a test piece. Can I ask what is the reason for doing it on PETG?

 

[mrb1218]

It would be worth a try, maybe produce a test piece. Can I ask what is the reason for doing it on PETG?

I would say because of its characteristics: better heat resistant and a little stronger than PLA. Here in the desert, the heat is pretty brutal

 

[Lem]

Check out HIPS, 20% lighter, easily sandable, all kind of glues work, temp resistant like PETG. Needs enclosure, warps like ABS.

 

[UpsidedownRC]

I would say because of its characteristics: better heat resistant and a little stronger than PLA. Here in the desert, the heat is pretty brutal

Fair enough, doesn't get that hot over here in the UK

 

[Lem]

i love in hamburg, germany melted my body within 30min in april sun. ok, black filler was a bad idea, though.