It happened to me when I started my 3D printer, so it can happen to you too. If you think you’ve shredded and found the golden setting for beautiful prints, you think you might be a print genius.
Why don’t you buy 20 more printers and create a print farm? In your mind, you are already thinking about the size of your future yacht and its equipment.
Halfway through the printing process, you suddenly fall off the melding object; maybe you need one more tutorial before you can return to your 3D printer empire.
If the above is word-for-word the same as what happened to you, maybe it’s time to learn how to maintain a clean print bed (and lower your overall expectations).
Clean print beds are especially important for better adhesion of the layers to the build plate and for a more pleasing finish on the first layer. 70% to 99.99% quality isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is good.
Soak a paper towel, microfiber cloth, or cotton ball with isopropyl alcohol and clean the bed surface in a circular motion. Repeat rinsing until filament residue, fingerprints, oil, and other defects that affect print quality are removed. Depending on the type of build plate, acetone may be used, but only as a last resort and only for specific areas that could not be cleaned with alcohol.
If you are not sure if the building board is dirty or clean, assume that it needs to be cleaned. You will never be able to afford the loss!
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Why is it important to clean the bed of a 3D printer?
Table of Contents
The bed of a 3D printer is the foundation on which models are printed. The filament can be left behind after printing is complete.
The bed can also be contaminated by common handling (e.g., tallow, fingerprints, dirt, etc.) and by substances from the environment. These contaminants can affect future print quality and damage the print bed over time.
Lack of maintenance can eventually lead to irreversible damage that can only be repaired by replacing the print bed.
Benefits of a Clean 3D Print Bed
For perfect results, a clean 3D printing bed is a prerequisite. An unclean bed will always have problems with layer adhesion, affecting print quality.
3D Print Bed Maintenance
Print beds are often made of polyetherimide glass (commonly known as PEI) or covered with tape; at 3DSolved, we rely on this type of media because we (almost) never cut corners!
Polyetherimide (PEI) print bed
PEI plates are often used as print beds for 3D printers because they are easy to maintain and do not burden the process. They are also resistant to abrasion caused by extreme temperatures and radiation, which are common in 3D printers.
PEI film adheres well to the bed and, if properly maintained, does not usually adhere to the model. Therefore, very few cases require the use of adhesives or tapes.
However, PEI films do require maintenance to maintain print quality. Adhesion weakens over time with repeated exposure to printing radiation, temperature, 3D inks, environmental contaminants, and general handling.
As a result, adhesive, ink, filament, oil, and dirt remain on the surface. Simple cleaning, such as scraping, scrubbing, or wiping with a cleaning agent, can damage the bed.
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How to Clean PEI Printed Beds
The following procedure is recommended for cleaning the PEI 3D print bed.
What you will need
The following materials are required for cleaning the PEI 3D print bed
- Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) concentration 70% to 99.99% (depending on cleaning).
- Acetone/propanone
- Paper towels, microfiber cloths, or cotton
- Sandpaper (grit +1,500)
Procedure
The use of unscented IPA at 70% concentration is the safety standard for cleaning PEI 3D print beds. It is volatile (evaporates), so there is no risk of the liquid spreading. If there is a lot of oil, dirt, grease, etc. on the surface, a purer API can be used.
For safety reasons, always use it in a well-ventilated area.
Apply IPA and wipe well with a dry microfiber cloth, paper towel, or cotton cloth. The highly concentrated IPA will completely dissolve the organic oil, making it easier to remove.
Any 3D ink or plastic stubbornly stuck to the bed should be removed with acetone. Pour acetone onto a cloth and dampen it (do not pour it directly onto the bed).
PEI is not soluble in acetone, but too much acetone for a long time will still damage it. Wipe the bed in a circular motion to remove the plastic compound. Pour it directly on stubborn stains to soften them and remove them.
Remember to use acetone only when alcohol no longer removes the stain.
If the stain is severe or the surface is uneven, use fine-grit sandpaper (+1 500) to remove deposits or smooth the surface and pull evenly after cleaning. Do not forget to re-clean the surface after sanding, as sanding will generate very fine dust particles on the surface.
Maintenance time
Maintenance intervals depend on the brand of the PEI sheet and the frequency of use. This also determines the service life. Another common modus operandi is to use glue or hairspray to prevent the model from sticking to the bed. While this technique has proven to be effective, it can cause cleaning problems if proper guidelines are not followed.
Wiping after a few prints is standard to prevent damage, but follow the instructions. Depending on usage (average of one month), restoration with acetone or sandpaper may be necessary.
Glass
Glass is a very common material for 3D printing; it has a longer life than PEI. It also facilitates the use of lacquers and adhesives in the 3D printing process because the surface does not react with any material. Glass 3D printing beds have a uniform surface and are relatively easy to clean.
The glass itself does not have good surface adhesion. It is usually used with adhesives such as glue sticks or hairspray. It improves the surface adhesion of the first printed layer and establishes a stable base for the rest of the model.
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Cleaning the Glass 3D Print Bed
Here are the recommended cleaning methods for glass 3D print beds.
What you will need
- Scraper
- Dishwashing detergent
- Sponge
- Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) concentration is 70% to 99.99% (depending on the cleaning)
Paper towels, microfiber cloths, or cotton.
Process
Heated glass 3D printing beds are easy to work with because the surface is not sensitive to heating. The heat makes it easier to scrape off the residue. Glass is sharp and easily scratched, so use caution when scraping.
To begin with, all traces of adhesive and lacquer must be removed from the glass 3D printing medium. This can be easily done with a smooth, level object such as a plastic ruler or metal spatula. If metal is used, apply only the minimum amount of force necessary, as it may scratch the glass. After removing the adhesive, move on to removing any prints that have stuck to the bed.
The scraper blade is very sharp. Apply downward pressure with one hand and grasp the edge or center of the glass bed with the other hand. This will properly remove any remaining material and prevent your hand from slipping. Remember that touching the bed with your hands will leave grease and dirt that will need to be cleaned up later.
Soap and water are best for removing adhesives and lacquers. Check the composition of the product to see how soluble it is in water. In some cases, acetone or alcohol may be a better solvent for removal. Once used, microfiber cloths are difficult to remove stains, so wipe with disposable paper or cotton cloths.
Note: Use caution when using liquids as they may damage nearby electronic equipment.
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Maintenance Time
Maintenance intervals for the 3D print bed vary depending on the application and material from which the model is printed. Scrubbing after each print will remove print material from the bed and prevent build-up which would make cleaning difficult. It also keeps the base of the next model clean and easy to remove.
If the bed is used daily, use soap and water once a week. Otherwise, monthly maintenance is sufficient to keep the prints adhered to; IPA or acetone should only be used if the deposits are very difficult to remove.
Adhesive tape
Tape is easy to use and inexpensive to replace. As such, they are a reliable choice for those who are just starting out in 3D printing or are looking for a cheap but reliable 3D printing medium.
Because of its heat sensitivity, it is mainly used in non-heated beds. Masking tape or thumbtacks are the best choices for 3D printing beds with tape.
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Cleaning a 3D print bed with tape
Here are the recommended cleaning methods for taped 3D printer beds.
What you will need
- More of the same type of tape
- Scraper, plastic ruler, or metal spatula
- Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) concentration is 70% to 99.99% (depending on the cleaning)
- Dishwashing detergent
- Sponge
- Paper towels, microfiber cloths, or cotton
- Process
While the tape is easy to use, it is difficult to clean. Simply scrub with a metal spatula to clean filament residue. Any areas that show wear should be painted over. Be sure to keep the 3D print bed level to print the model perfectly (link to Ender 3 Bed Levelling Guide).
The bed may simply be worn or not level evenly. This is a good indication for replacement. Remove all strips and clean the bottom of the bed with IPA or soap and water. Allow drying completely before applying a new layer.
Maintenance Time
Tape-type 3D print beds have a short lifespan and require frequent repair or replacement. Lightly scrub the surface after each print and replace the entire tape after one to two weeks, depending on the frequency of use.
Also Read: How to keep printer ink from drying out
How to Clean a 3D Printer Bed | Video Explanation
How to Clean a 3D Printer Bed | Infographic
Conclusion.
There should be no more excuses for having a dirty print bed on your machine. Note that I am not a meticulous person in the world of 3D printers, so when the failure rate starts to increase, I tend to clean it. In other words, my strategy is “after the fact” rather than “preventative”.
If you don’t want to get frustrated from time to time, waste filament, or produce poor-quality prints, you should always strive for preventive maintenance of your 3D printer.
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