Paint visibly absorbs into prints. Suggestions appreciated.

[aaron 2]

Hello all. As a hobby I sell custom 3D printed dice. I hand-paint the numbers. However, sometimes the paint visibly absorbs between the layers of plastic in some parts of the prints. This only happens in some areas. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions. Any printing preferences suggestions? Do you think a quick spray clear coat of some sort would help?

 

[fingerpuk 0]

Are you using a primer at all? I prime with two coats before adding paint, works a treat.

[wallan 0]

I guess that you can't prime unless doing it by hand as well as i supose you only want to paint the numbers and use plastic only on the rest of the dice.

By the way, do you use brush or some kind of a marker.

If using a marker i think it can be hard as the paint is extreamly thin.

If using a brush and a little thicker paint i think the problem might be bad bonding between layers. Make sure thay you dont have under extrusion problems and if not, try to print a little hotter.

[skint 62]

Masking tape & primer i reckon ?

 

[valcrow 145]

primer would definately help, but might not solve it completely if your paint is too runny.

Try not thinning your paints, or get some thicker stuff, they shouldn't do the capillary thing as much.

Or, for a better result, emboss the numbers into the geometry of your print. It'll make painting easier, you can even sand off the surface after putting paint in for a really nice clean finish!

 

[shurik 87]

Strange. I use standard Humbrol enamels. They do just as well as on any plastic model you can find in a hobby shop.

Airbrush or by hand - very good results. I even tried a test without a primer - worked, too.

 

[somewhereinla 2]

Use primer.

I use SEM primer/surfacer.

Prime then sand to give it a smooth surface, and paint.

 

[braddock 1]

I'm assuming he only wants to paint the detail onto the part, and not cover the colored PLA with grey primer.

Look into trying this solvent to seal the parts before painting them. I've used MEK for PLA, but its quite hazardous and not that effective.

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/makerbot/wXZ5HyqOa6I%C2%A0

 

[aaron 2]

I already have numbers embossed. I was just curious if anyone else noticed this issue. Will attempt higher temperature.

 

[yellowshark 153]

I am wondering if it might be a result or poor layer adhesion. What is the size of the dice and what settings do you use? Oops I see an earlier post raised this too - anyway question remains.

 

[aaron 2]

about and inch cubed. Or 25 mm cubed for you metric folk. I print at .17mm layers @ 225 degrees C.