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Alexander Kjeldaas
(@alexander-kjeldaas)
Active Member
Spring steel sheet damage

I printed some PETG and when removing the print in the morning, the coating came off.  What is happening here?

 

Posted : 30/04/2020 6:00 am
lee.g
(@lee-g)
Estimable Member
RE: Spring steel sheet damage

You need to use a separator like glue stick or the preferred window cleaner spray.  Search window cleaner on the forum and it should bring up quite a few results.

PETG likes to stick to much to a totally clean smooth PEI sheet.   

Posted : 30/04/2020 7:03 am
Neophyl
(@neophyl)
Illustrious Member
RE: Spring steel sheet damage

This is also in the prusa manual about the need to use a barrier as petg adhesion can be too great on the smooth pei steel sheet.  The most common used is Windex.  You dampen a paper towel with it and wipe it over the sheet.  The textured PEI steel sheet can be used as it though with petg.

If swapping back to PLA though you need to thoroughly clean it off , using plain dish soap and lots of very hot water works best. 

Posted : 30/04/2020 7:35 am
Alexander Kjeldaas
(@alexander-kjeldaas)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Spring steel sheet damage

Ok, I missed that part in the manual.

Now I guess I have to use the other side of the spring steel sheet, and order a new one as a spare.  Would you recommend the smooth one or the textured one?

Posted : 30/04/2020 7:39 am
Alexander Kjeldaas
(@alexander-kjeldaas)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Spring steel sheet damage

If any of you are living in the EU, maybe W5 from Lidl works?  Not for windows, but kitchens.  Which ingredients are you looking for?

Posted : 30/04/2020 7:52 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE: Spring steel sheet damage

I bought a build plate from Energetic (China)
It has Textured surface one side and smooth on the other... 

it goes with my selection of smooth and textured build plates and gives a different surface finish. to the Prusa Textured build plates

For PLA, I just give my Build plated a good wash in the kitchen sink, with dish soap and water, rinse with hot water and dry immediately with Plain paper towels. 

regards Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Posted : 30/04/2020 11:14 am
Area51
(@area51)
Member
RE: Spring steel sheet damage

I use diluted windows cleaner (without any additives, ECO type) on a melamine sponge before every PETG print. Using concentrated windows cleaner before every print gives too thick a "soap" layer and I get problems with adhesion.

I have had stuck PETG parts a couple of times and using IPA at the part edge combined with gentle flexing of the build plate saved my day.

Have a look at my models on Printables.com 😉

Posted : 30/04/2020 12:21 pm
kpreid
(@kpreid)
Trusted Member
RE: Spring steel sheet damage

Now I guess I have to use the other side of the spring steel sheet, and order a new one as a spare.  Would you recommend the smooth one or the textured one?

Use both. They have different strengths.

Textured sheet: Makes printing PETG worry-free. Textured bottom surface of prints is more similar to the top surface rather than being much smoother than all other printed surfaces (nice for parts that are otherwise symmetric and going to be handled, like cubes that are puzzles or game pieces).

Smooth sheet: In my experience, better adhesion for PLA prints (more likely to be able to print corners without a brim and not have them lifting up). You can adjust the Z height to get good adhesion without "elephant foot" effect, whereas this is hard or maybe impossible on the textured sheet.

Posted : 30/04/2020 3:53 pm
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