Continuation from this Post: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/36954883

After many of you Suggested that Heat could be a Potential Solution to Regaining Sanded PETG Colour, I got myself a Heatgun Capable of 600c°.

While it did Improve the Colouring, Especially for Darker parts it wasn’t Enough. To be a bit more Specific, Both Green and Yellow Parts Fully did regain the Colour Red Improved a Lot, but not quite Satisfactory And Black did make a Difference, but its not Nearly Close enough, being a Matte Dark Gray instead of… Black

I’ve noticed that the Black only did regain its true Colour once actively Melting and Warping which doesn’t help… Otherwise its a Light/Dark Gray Matte Black.

So I think the Heatgun Method doesn’t quite hold for Dark Parts. What other Methods of Regaining Colour are there?

I do still have MEK that I could Try. I also Heard that Clearcoat could Work and that there are 3D Printing Specific Brands, should I give that a Shot?

  • daannii@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    9 days ago

    Did you try the plastic restorer I suggested? You can get it hella cheap on alexpress.

    “Headlight restoration” is usually what it’s called.

    It’s one of the top comments on the post you listed.

    I’ve never had very good luck with heat to smooth layer lines or sanded surfaces.

    For the plastic to liquify (or melt to that degree so it melts down, not just moldable) it has to get pretty hot. 240c. (Petg) Which will in turn make the whole thing start to deform.

    • definitemaybe@lemmy.caEnglish
      2·
      8 days ago

      Not OP, but that search brings up a bunch of different products on AliExpress: black paste, white paste, sprays, creams, liquids… Do you know if it matters?

      Thanks for the tip, regardless. They’re only a few bucks each, so 8 could try a few, but if you have one you know works for PLA and/or PETG, I’d appreciate knowing what worked for you!

      Edit: I just thought to look at your gallery again and saw the headlight restoration bottle in the background in one of the pics, so never mind!

      • daannii@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        8 days ago

        I saw your edit but yeah. It’s a clear liquid. Watery.

        It actually has a really pleasant soap-like smell.

        I apply with a folded paper towel. You could use a sponge to make sure it’s 100 % lint free. But paper towel seemed fine for me.

        I basically applied it like if you were using nail polish remover.

        There are probably different approaches. I don’t think it’s going to matter too much. Just note its intended to be a wipe-on. Not a soak. Not a slather-on.

        So it is going to go far and last you for many projects.

        https://a.aliexpress.com/_m03WLU5

        I think this is the same stuff.

        I’ve bought it twice on AliExpress with different labels. But seems like the same stuff. Can’t seem to find the last one I bought. (The one in the image).

  • morbidcactus@lemmy.caEnglish
    2·
    9 days ago

    Just make sure you’ve got good gloves/respiration and ventilation if you go MEK, as far as I recall it’s not nearly as aggressive with petg like acetone and abs so going to take some time. The solvent method is by far the one I use the most often, I wet a rag or paper towel and take my time. I recall vapour smoothing being a thing too but that’s going to need setup and the like.