Customs: Is there an additive method that can be used to finish FDM 3D printed material?

Discussion in 'Creative General Discussion' started by griffn29, May 23, 2016.

  1. griffn29

    griffn29 Well-Known Member

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    hi,

    I wanted to paint the surface of a FDM style 3D printed part, and I wanted the pieces to have a smooth surface. I'm assuming that sanding won't work. I was wondering is some type of material could be added on top and then sanded down to create a smooth surface to paint on, and if anyone knew a process for how to do this.

    Edit: the pieces are square with large flat surfaces, so matching contours isn't a big issue for me.
     
  2. Starganderfish

    Starganderfish Well-Known Member

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    http://www.shapeways.com/forum/pdf.php?th=19949&

    There's a couple of products - "Mr Hobby Mr Dissolved Putty" and "Mr Surfacer 500"
    Both are essentially Tamiya/Mr Hobby style putty's that have been mixed with thinner to create a liquid - with a consistency like cream.
    Use an old brush and slather it on, wait for 24 hours to cure then sand off. It's a lot softer than 3D printed plastic so it sands away easily.
    I've been using this on a couple of Shapeways "White Strong and Flexible Polished" kit's and it works well. You may have to do two or three applications and sandings to get it really smooth, and wet sanding seems to work best.
    It's a pain on fiddly, detailed parts as you basically end up filling in surface details, but for smooth flat surfaces it's the bomb.
     
  3. Snaku

    Snaku Primes Don't Party

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    There are videos on YouTube on smoothing 3d printed objects by letting them sit in acetone vapor. I've never tried it but I imagine it would cause sharp edges to smooth and you might lose some of the finer details.
     
  4. Dachande

    Dachande MULTI-QUOTE- USE IT. Super Mod

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  5. theosteve

    theosteve Well-Known Member

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    A favorite for prop makers is spot and glazing putty. They also use filler primer.
     
  6. theosteve

    theosteve Well-Known Member

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  7. Rodentus prime

    Rodentus prime Old Git

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    Acetone only works if you are printing with ABS (Which most people don't).

    A decent car filler/primer and some sanding is probably your best bet - it's what a lot of the cosplay people use. Video
     
  8. Dachande

    Dachande MULTI-QUOTE- USE IT. Super Mod

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    I recently used Vallejo Plastic Putty on some guns for Sixshot. That stuff is excellent for smoothing rough surfaces. I even use it for sculpting edges where the putty leaves a little bit of a raised surface.