Final Cleaning of PLA

[illuminarti 18]

Here's a handy hint I've been meaning to post for ages; if you have a PLA print that's been discolored by sanding and post-processing, rubbing it with a little mineral oil does wonders to restore the color and give the print a nice sheen. Doesn't seem to do any long term harm, and the effect lasts (at least I have some pieces on my desk that I oiled months ago, and they still look great!)

I use some food safe mineral oil intended for sealing wooden cutting boards (coz that's what I happen to have lying around at home).

It's worked with several different PLA's from different manufacturers - but really brings out the best from metallic plastics!

 

[irongland 1]

Nifty trick!

I'll have to give it a try.

 

[illuminarti 18]

Mineral oil is a bit of a catch-all term for several related refinery by-products:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_oil

Specifically, I used this:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/Snow-River-Wood-Oil-in-8-Ounce-Bottle/1040042282

I have no idea if it works, but it seems Baby Oil might work just as well (and make the print smell nice :-) )

 

[hp-65 4]

Did you try olive oil?

 

8D

 

[irongland 1]

Personal experience; olive oil can smell/taste weird after it goes rancid.....

Mineral oil is cool since it doesn't spoil (to my knowledge). Olive oil might be fine though, care to test?

 

[illuminarti 18]

Yeah, my thought was that olive oil might not hold up well over time. This bottle of mineral oil that I have will probably last me many years, but if I ever run out, perhaps I'll try other oils :-)

 

[lennart-bruggink 3]

Thanks for the idea!

Any post processing related idea is welcome.

I think though its not so handy to oil it if you want to paint it later.

Cheers!

Lennart