Smoothing ABS prints using an acetone vapor bath is a relatively easy method because it’s mostly passive, but you will be handling somewhat hazardous chemicals. Don’t be complacent, and always practice proper safety precautions. 1. Do it in a well-ventilated area Acetone polishing or smoothing is a safe and easy method of 3D print finishing for smoothing out surface inconsistencies without causing structural damage. They dissolve readily in the liquid, and a concentrated atmosphere of the vapor will eventually have the same effect. It’s that ‘eventually’ part we are interested in (and not the acetone 3D print mess you’ll be left with if you leave it too long). Stuff the paper towel on the bottom of the drinking glass, ensuring a snug fit, so it does not fall off when you turn the glass over. Pour the acetone into the paper towel, just enough so that the paper towel is completely wet but not soaking. Turn the drinking glass over the plastic tray, completely enveloping the print atop the metal platform. Before continuing further, please make sure you acquaint yourself with the safety regulations pertaining to acetone (propan-2-one) and its use. It is your responsibility to use this solvent safely.

Therefore, saying that "acetone" in Nail polish removers would have killed many women is tendentious. Better keep a safe attitude and be careful. Remove the object from your dust-free chamber without touching it, and put it somewhere that has good ventilation to allow the acetone to further leach out of the object. The object at this point has little to no structural integrity so be careful how you do this. To recap, the filaments that can be polished using this process are:ABS,ASA, PMMA,HIPSandPolycarbonate. For reasons of hygiene and safety, personal grooming products, cosmetics or items of intimate clothing cannot be returned. Finishing your 3D print to get a smooth finish takes it from good to great. Learning how to finish your prints is a useful addition to your set of skills, especially if you’re aiming to use your 3D printing abilities professionally.

Gentle on skin

This is the fastest and the safest way to do acetone bath that I have developed so far. You will need common household tools and items. It is the safest way I know but still don't forget to open windows and don't use open fire! Or you will experience a HUGE fireball. After about 30 minutes, a ‘skin’ will have formed on the polished object that will stop dust particles from becoming embedded in the surface of the object. Other filaments are simply unaffected by acetone or are prone to get damaged by it. If you are working with PLA, then head on over to our detailed guide on how to finish or paint your PLA print. How does an acetone vapor bath work? Acetone vapor baths are one of the most popular and reliable ways to get a smooth finish in 3D prints. What is the principle behind this process? How is it done? Read on for our comprehensive guide on acetone vapor baths. What filament materials can be smoothed using an acetone vapor bath?

A flat, non-porous plate such as glass or metal, to raise the object being polished above any liquid acetone in the bottom of the container – This really needs to be at least 10mm above the surface of any liquid acetone in the container and much larger than the object to be polished as this reduces the chances of liquid acetone creeping up the sides and onto the object itself. The following photograph shows what happens to a part when exposed to the fumes for an extended period. Unwanted Food or Drink Products - Once supply conditions are broken, there are a number of factors outside of our control that can affect the quality of a product. Therefore perishable goods such as food and drink cannot be returned. Once you remove the print from the acetone bath, keep it in a dust-free spot as the melted surface can easily entrap loose dust particles. At this point, the structural integrity of your print is likely to have been severely compromised, so handle it with care. After about 30 minutes, the surface of the print should have developed a more solid ‘skin’ that is impervious to dust. At this point, you may speed up the removal of residual acetone by pointing a fan on your print.

Acetone bath is a great way to make your 3D-printed models look awesome. However, since we are dealing with acetone vapours the whole process is quite dangerous to perform. Acetone smoothing: A safe and easy method of 3D print finishing for smoothing out surface inconsistencies without causing structural damage. Finally – you need to have somewhere totally dust-free to place the polished object while the surface hardens. If you don’t, any dust that falls onto the surface will become embedded in it. Permanently. Polishing

This is definitely our preferred method when we’re asked how to finish 3D prints – there’s just no better way to easily smooth ABS prints. Safety WarningTo simplify the discussion, let’s assume that we are working only with an ABS print. ABS is highly soluble in acetone. In fact, dissolving ABS in acetone is how you get ABS glue. The idea of immersing your ABS print in acetone vapor is for the outermost layer of the print to dissolve, effectively hiding the imperfections of the original print. Polishing benefits: Acetone polishing can improve the surface finish of 3D prints, making them more aesthetically pleasing and suitable for various applications. It can also increase their resistance to water ingress and make them stronger than their non-polished earlier selves once fully hardened. Water seems to be a perfect medium for this purpouse. It can hold temperature from 56 to 100°C/133 to 212F quite a long time. There is ALWAYS a trade-off between the required surface finish and the loss of fine details. Only you can decide what is acceptable. All ABS 3D prints can be acetone smoothed. Filaments that can be polished using this process are: ABS, ASA,PMMA, HIPSand Polycarbonate.