There are many different types of cleaning products that can be used to clean the beds of FDM printers. Some common products include soap, water, and detergent. It is important to use the right product for the type of printer being cleaned, as some products may damage the printer while others may not be effective. ..

Why Clean the Print Bed?

If you have poor bed adhesion, your printing quality may suffer. To get the best adhesion, remove any buildup of filament, oil, dirt, and dust. ..

3D printing is a great way to create custom products without having to use traditional methods like glue sticks, painters tape, and hairspray. By using a clean 3D printer bed, you can improve the adhesion of your products and get them to look more professional.

Safety First

When using chemicals or electricity, always be aware of the potential dangers and take appropriate safety precautions. ..

Don’t mix chemicals. They can create dangerous and toxic substances if not properly mixed. In particular, avoid mixing acetone and isopropyl alcohol. This combination can form a toxic chemical, peracetic acid, which can cause chemical burns or worse.

Don’t use any of these products in a confined space, and make sure you have good ventilation.

Electronics and heated beds are dangerous when used with acetone. A spark from either could start a fire. ..

Cleaning Solutions

A few effective and safe cleaning products are available to clean the bed surface.

Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)

In a pinch, you can use 70% ethanol and 30% water. However, this will not remove as much oil from the build surface, and it may contain chemicals other than just alcohol and water. When alcohol and water dry, they might leave a thin film of other, unknown compounds on your bed.

We’ve found that 70% isopropyl works well on beds that are already fairly clean. If you see fingerprints or smudges on your build plate that don’t come off with 70% isopropyl, you may need something stronger. We’ve found 90% isopropyl to be the sweet spot between price and effectiveness.

Ethyl Alcohol

In theory, ethyl alcohol is also a good cleaning solution. However, it can be difficult to find it in a strong enough concentration, and in some U.S. states it’s illegal to purchase over the counter.

Everclear is a brand of ethyl alcohol that is 190 proof, meaning it has 95% alcohol. ..

We recommend isopropyl alcohol over ethyl alcohol because it has impurities and is more expensive.

Acetone

If you’re looking to remove nail polish, be sure to check the ingredients list on the product’s label. Some removers without acetone (like those at hardware stores) only contain water and vinegar. If you’re looking for a nail polish remover that contains acetone, you may want to look for one with a higher concentration of this solvent.

Acetone is a very effective solvent for removing oil and is very volatile. It has a strong odor and can be flammable. Acetone can also dissolve some plastics, so be careful when using it around your 3D printer, other surfaces, and your skin. ..

We don’t recommend using acetone regularly because it may damage beds that have a PEI coating.

Soap and Warm Water

Alcohol and acetone can remove grease and glue stick, but they are not as effective at removing other types of materials. Dishwashing soap and water work well to remove both grease and glue stick. It is easier to use dish soap and water if you have a removable bed because you can take it to your sink.

Don’t get any soap or water on your 3D printer’s electronics. If you do, you might short out the device or get a shock. ..

In general, soap can remove all types of contaminants.

Glass Cleaner

Windex is a glass cleaner that can also be used as a release agent. It will remove some oil from the bed and other water-soluble contaminants, but it will also leave its own film behind. This might result in less adhesion, which isn’t always a bad thing.

If you’re having trouble removing your prints from a PEI-coated printing surface, consider using a window cleaner to clean the bed or spraying some adhesion-reducing cleaning solution on the print before you print.

How to Clean Your 3D Print Bed

To clean a 3D printer’s bed, the steps are largely the same: you’ll need soap and water. For glass beds, you’ll also need a glass cleaner. For metal beds, you’ll need a metal cleaner and a steel wool pad. For magnetic beds, you’ll need a magnetic cleaner and steel wool pads. And for PEI-coated beds, you’ll need a PEI cleaner and steel wool pads. ..

There is only one exception to the rule that you should not use acetone to clean PEI sheets. If you do, it might damage the sheet over time. For cleaning beds of different materials, follow these steps: ..

  1. Pour a small amount of each alcohol into a small bowl or cup.
  2. Add enough water to cover the alcohol and stir until the mixture is smooth.
  3. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle or other container and shake well to combine.
  4. Use the cleaner to clean surfaces such as countertops, floors, and furniture.

If you see any remaining smudges, fingerprints, or other signs of tampering, repeat the steps above until they’re gone. ..

With Soap and Water

  1. Soak the bed in water for a few minutes.
  2. Remove any dirt and dried sweat with a cloth or a brush.
  3. Apply soap to the area where you want to clean and wait until it starts to lather up.
  4. Use the soap to clean the entire bed, starting at the bottom and working your way up.

Keeping Your Bed Clean

The best way to have a clean bed is to not get it dirty in the first place. Avoid touching the bed at all, if possible. Thoroughly clean your hands if you do need to handle the bed. Better yet, wear clean gloves.

Keep your bed clean to increase the success of future prints.

3D printing is a process of printing objects by using a three-dimensional printer. It is a technology that has been around for many years and has seen some significant advances in recent years. One of the most recent advances in 3D printing is the use of 3D printers that are able to print objects using plastic materials. This allows for a much more efficient and cost-effective way to produce products. The benefits of using 3D printers for manufacturing purposes include the ability to produce high-quality products at a fraction of the cost of traditional manufacturing methods. Additionally, 3D printing allows for the creation of custom products, which can be more difficult or time-consuming to create with other methods.