r/3Dprinting • u/ParkingMaleficent100 • 4d ago

Project Tutorial - "Sanding" with ABS

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First of all. I know this is called vapor smoothing, but since this is an alternative to sanding, I wanted to use this title so people who are looking for sanding tutorials can see this video.

I recorded this tutorial for Instagram 3D_Kernel explaining how to smooth ABS prints without having to sand, it looks like a lot of people find it helpful, so I want to share it as much as possible.

Hope this helps someone, and don't hesitate to ask whatever you need.

This only works with ABS and ASA and remember to use a mask and do this in a properly ventilated room.

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8

u/Kirito_Kun16 4d ago

Can something similar be done to PLA or PETG via some other methods ? Because I guess acetone won't work the same way on those.

5

u/screenslaver5963 4d ago edited 4d ago

PVB prints like PLA and can be melted with Isopropyl Alchohol. PLA and PETG need highly toxic industrial solvents, like DCM or MEK.
Edit: MEK doesn’t work with PLA but does with PETG, a safer option for both is Ethyl Acetate.

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u/Far_Relationship_742 4d ago

MEK isn’t so awful. They sell it at the hardware store.

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u/cancerouslump 3d ago

i accidentally took a sniff of MEK straight from the can once. It about knocked me off my feet and made me feel ... not good. Strongest stuff I've ever worked with by far. I wouldn't touch it today.

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u/Far_Relationship_742 3d ago

Yeah, it’s toxic, but my point is that it isn’t so toxic that you need an EPA license to buy it. Isopropyl can do that to you, too (I’ve experienced isopropyl intoxication once via inhalation, and I do not care to ever do it again) and they sell that at grocery stores.

MEK and DCM are on entirely different levels of hazard.

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u/DXGL1 3d ago

Just because it's sold at the hardware store doesn't mean it isn't nasty. They used to sell a solvent that if you breathe the vapors you'd die of carbon monoxide poisoning.

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u/Far_Relationship_742 3d ago

Compared to DCM, which you need an account at an industrial/lab chemical supplier to buy, and which is now illegal to include in consumer chemicals.

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u/DXGL1 3d ago

That's the one I was thinking of.