Cloth for IPA  

RE: Cloth for IPA

Paper towels are one luxury I do not wish to give up.  I throw them into the recycle container and I assume they end up as something like that sandpaper toilet paper that you get in public restrooms.

RE: Cloth for IPA

Blue shop towels leave behind less lint. The problem with any sort of reusable material is that grease will build up over time, and you can end up transferring some back onto the print surface. Unfortunately, 3D printing is not a very "green" hobby. There tends to be a fair amount of waste.

RE: Cloth for IPA

I usually use half a paper towel to clean the bed and once done I use that piece to clean the table my printer is on. Then I place it into a plastic bag (unless it's soiled) that is pinned to the table and use the scraps for cleaning tools and whatever else needs a wipe before I throw them away. 

RE: Cloth for IPA

People often use conditioner in washing machines, 
Conditioner can be a release agent for 3D printing... 

I would steer clear of fabric for cleaning the build plate.

regards Joan.

RE: Cloth for IPA

I've been using a microfibre lint free cloth for years now without any problems. You save money on paper towels and you help out the environment a little. The one you see pictured has been through the wash no less than probably a dozen times and it cleans the build surface better than paper towels in my opinion. I also use 100% IPA, so your experience may vary.

RE: Cloth for IPA

I should also mention that I never handle any of my build sheets with my bare hands. Gloves are your best friend 👍 

RE: Cloth for IPA

I use Viva low lint paper towels or the blue ones from Lowes.  

RE: Cloth for IPA

For those of us in the UK, or with access to an Aldi I use these to clean the bed.

https://groceries.aldi.co.uk/en-GB/p-power-force-dishcloth-trad-traditional-126g-5pack/25372366

They are .59p for a pack of 5, I tried their microfibre version but they are coloured and IPA leaves nice yellow, green and blue die on the PEI sheet.  So word to the wise, avoid the microfibre ones from said store.

These work very well.

RE: Cloth for IPA

Posted by: @clarmrrsn

For those of us in the UK, or with access to an Aldi I use these to clean the bed.

https://groceries.aldi.co.uk/en-GB/p-power-force-dishcloth-trad-traditional-126g-5pack/25372366

They are .59p for a pack of 5, I tried their microfibre version but they are coloured and IPA leaves nice yellow, green and blue die on the PEI sheet.  So word to the wise, avoid the microfibre ones from said store.

These work very well.

Thanks, will give those a try.

I am using the new Satin sheet (really like it) which provides good adhesion with the "dish soap" and water, but needs doing every 2-3 prints. If you wipe it with 100% IPA and a standard paper towel, the residue caused by the slight abrasive surface seems to have a negative affect on the adhesion. It would be nice to be able to wipe with IPA when printing "quick" changes, then utilise the "wash & dry" process less often. (Yes I know, I'm lazy !)

RE: Cloth for IPA

@clarmrrsn

I will have to check Aldi in the US.