DIY Perks YT channel published this video with very simple and effective way to acetone vapor polish ABS parts with a simple glass container. Finished parts look very good and smooth.
Here is a tutorial video:
This technique uses the fact that acetone vapors are heavier then air and they fall down in a container. Water is used to create an air tight seal.
TechWizAu made a video describing how he uses epoxy to get a smoothing effect without using acetone. He uses the Z-Poxy PT-39 30 Minute epoxy to get much smoother surface finish. It is a dual component epoxy with the resin and hardener.
Here is how to video with the entire process and some tips:
I was not aware of this technique and it looks much easier then using acetone. I'm not sure what epoxies are available on my local market in Croatia but I will check it out.
Smoothing Vader 3d printed mask with epoxy and a small paint brush
Micheal, well known for his TestrBot made another useful and easy DIY project that enables you to build ultrasonic vapor polisher for your 3d printed objects.
Here is the project summary:
What's needed is a better solvent application method, and that's what this Instructable is about.
The current vapor polishing methods and their drawbacks include:
Hot treat via boiling solvent in a crock pot or similar chamber (Potentially dangerous and very hands-on process)
Cold treat via slow release of solvent from paper towels in an enclosed container (Very time consuming, can't observe parts during this process.)
Spray canned solvent aerosol onto part. (Inconsistent surface finish, must be done outside)
Dipping parts directly into liquid solvents (Unpredictable/inconsistent finish, Likely over exposure of part)
All I wanted is a machine that lets me quickly drop parts into a transparent container and be able to press 'go' and have the machine produce a predictable finish on its own. I do not want to have to put together a really involved setup that may be a fire hazard, fume hazard, or something that produces unpredictable surface finishes. Essentially I want something as convenient as a microwave. I'm also forgetful so I don't want my parts to be destroyed if I forget that I left them in the machine.
The Ultrasonic Misting 3D Vapor Polisher is the solution to all of these problems.
This key component of this machine comes from ultrasonic humidifier, which uses a piezoelectric transducer (like a speaker) to create a high frequency mechanical oscillation in a liquid. This vibration forms an extremely fine mist of droplets in a fog/mist. The density of the fog is controlled by varying the intensity of the vibrations via a potentiometer.
This fog mist is very dense and wont move far on its own, so I used an aquarium air pump to blow it from the misting chamber into the glass finishing chamber where it can condense on the 3D printed part. This airflow keeps the air moving inside the finishing chamber, which helps produce a consistent finish on the part. The airflow system is open by necessity but we do not want the exhaust air to become a fume hazard so there is a water bubbler on the exhaust to absorb excess solvent. (Note that this only protects you when using water miscible solvents such as acetone.)
Here is the video of machine in action and results of the treatment:
The vapor treatment resulted in a consistent overall weakening of the test specimens. Specimens that had not been treated with Acetone vapor had an average yield stress 24% higher than those treated with the vapor.
Solvents that can be used to polish different materials:
ABS: Acetone
Acrylic: Most Solvents
PLA: MEK or 'MEK Substitute'
PVA: Water
PVC: Most Solvents
Polycarbinate: Pretty solvent resistant
Nylon: Pretty solvent resistant
Polypropylene: Pretty solvent resistant
Polyethylene: Pretty solvent resistant
Stay safe people! Chemicals are dangerous! You can check this chart showing dangerous combinations:
3D Print Tips YT channel posted a video on how to use PVC pipe cleaner that is commercially available to vapor smooth PLA. The cleaner fluid is probably rich with THF (tetrahydrofuran) so it has a similar effect as acetone on ABS plastic. Do keep in mind that this method is probably less effective than using dichloromethane and chloroform.
The procedure is simple, the object is suspended above the heated THF rich fluid and the vapors dissolve surface layers and make them smooth.
Do keep in mind that the fumes are toxic and there is a fire hazard! Heating THF causes unstable explosive peroxide compounds that are carcinogenic.
Here is the PLA part after the process. You can see that the surface is polished and shiny looking. LAyers are almost not visible.
Here is video showing the setup with few simple supplies like copper wire, mason jar and heater:
You can read the first post about THF polishing and smoothing here:
You may even not know that your nozzle is partially clogged. Eric William made this excellent tutorial on how to fix partially clogged nozzle and improve 3d print quality.You will need acetone and some tools. But it looks simple to do.
Makeraser is multitool designed specially for 3d printing. it has acetone tool for gluing, repair and finishing and metal spatula / blade to remove printouts from the printbed. Nice product and nice review by Zatopa.com.
Interesting part is that it seams to increase the strength of acetone treated part since it melts together outside layers. I hope I'll have an interview with Makeraser crew soon, so stay tuned ...
Makeraser is a tool that smooths, glues and strengthens 3d printed object by applying acetone or acetone based "ABS juice". It looks like nifty little simple and useful tool.
Useful for repairing ABS models, gluing and welding ABS pieces together. Basically it is molten small ABS plastic pieces in small amount of acetone. Video is by youtube user MstrJames and he has this ubercool Iron Man project going on ...
Youtube user trenchphysics has great tutorial on how to improve PLA model adhesion on the 3d printer build platform. Hairspray or ABS juice. ABS juice is mixture of 1 part ABS and 9 parts acetone left to dissolve. Let us know if you have any experiences with this method. Stay safe!
Here are some great tutorials on how to polish your 3d printed model with acetone vapor. Some results are just awesome! Stay safe.
The process is pretty simple. Get a large glass jar, put it on a heated build plate, add a tablespoon of acetone, and crank the heat up to 110C. Acetone vapor will form in the jar and react with any printed part smoothing out those layers.
