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  1. #1
    Technician
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    Oct 2013
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    How to smooth PLA objects?

    Hello,

    I know I can smooth ABS with aceton. But, what can I use to smooth a PLA object?

    Thanks!

    Best, René

  2. #2
    Super Moderator curious aardvark's Avatar
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    sandpaper :-)
    Or there's are paint on resins that also do the job.

    Used to be one advertisig on the site - but now I just seem to get non-3d related ads.

  3. #3
    Technician
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    Quote Originally Posted by curious aardvark View Post
    sandpaper :-)
    Or there's are paint on resins that also do the job. .
    I use sandpaper indeed, but then the colour is changing a bit. I hoped there was another way too...

    And, I see the adverts too at the moment.

  4. #4
    Technologist GOC's Avatar
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    - Some people are sandblasting their parts with pretty good results. It does change the coloring by giving it a smooth matte finish.

  5. #5
    Staff Engineer
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    Also the solvent Ethyl Acetate works with PLA the same way Acetone works with ABS. So if you are okay with working with chemicals, you can use it to give the parts a vapor bath the same way you can with ABS.

  6. #6
    Super Moderator curious aardvark's Avatar
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    think the paint on stuff was called xtc - something like that.

    Basically a clear resin that fills the wrinkles and 'dries/sets' smooth.

  7. #7
    Technologist GOC's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by curious aardvark View Post
    think the paint on stuff was called xtc - something like that.

    Basically a clear resin that fills the wrinkles and 'dries/sets' smooth.
    - I've used it a couple time now, its alright stuff. Tends to fill in little details, but works great in large contours. Its XTC-3D from Smooth-On

  8. #8
    Engineer Marm's Avatar
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    Sand blasting / Sand paper with a spray on clear coat would give a nice finish too, but I haven't tried it on PLA.

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