Keeping the bed clean- bottom print quality getting worse
 
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silvertonesx24
(@silvertonesx24)
New Member
Keeping the bed clean- bottom print quality getting worse

Any recommendations on how to keep the bed clean and spotless?

The bottom of my 3d prints have gotten worse and worse and I can only attribute it to bed quality.

I occasionally clean the bed with acetone and alcohol.

I have a live-adjust Z of -0.800 to help get prints to stick.

Posted : 01/09/2020 5:18 pm
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
RE: Keeping the bed clean- bottom print quality getting worse
It's always a good idea to make sure your PEI surface is clean before trying any other fixes.
  • If it's a smooth PEI sheet, take it to the kitchen sink and give it a good dunk with Dawn (original formula, no vinegar or hand softener variants) dishwashing soap or your local equivalent (e.g. Fairy in UK). Use a clean paper towel to clean it off, and another to dry it. Avoid using any sponge or cloth that has been in contact with grease. Above all else, avoid touching the PEI print surface. A freshly washed PEI sheet is as good as it gets. Once it's good and clean, you should be able to use 91%+ isopropyl alcohol between prints as needed, 100% acetone when that fails, and another dunk when acetone fails. Worst-case, use a 3M 7445 ScotchBrite pad or equivalent on smooth PEI to give it a very light buff, but only infrequently.
  • If you've got a textured powder-coated PEI print surface, the official instructions are to use 91%+ isopropyl alcohol on it only. Rumors persist that some have had good luck getting started with these sheets by giving them a wipe with 100% acetone and/or a dunk with Dawn. Either way, there's no real warranty on these sheets. YMMV.
My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 01/09/2020 7:16 pm
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