How To Properly Finish And Paint Your 3D Part (3D Printing Prototype)
How to properly finish and paint your 3D Part
When it comes to 3D part, there’s no doubting the quality and diversity we offer at FirstPart. But what exactly makes an excellent 3D part? Is it the material strength, the speed of the manufacturing or the beauty and aesthetic of the part when done? Well, the answer is all of the above. Today, you get to learn all the best finishing tips you can use to perfect, treat and beautify your 3D-printed part. Let’s get right into it.
Finishing
Finishing generally refers to all the last touches required to bring perfection to your part immediately after production. This may range from basic things like cleaning out dust or trimming rough edges. Here are some noteworthy tips to perform finishing touches on your 3D part:
Clean off any residual glue from the printing process
Rid your part of rough edges, blobs or material strings with wire cutters or tweezers
Smoothen rough edges with appropriate sandpaper
Use fillers to repair incomplete layers
Clean off dust with a web scrub brush or small moist towel cloth (depending on the size of your part)
Painting
Now to painting.
The 3D part painting is almost the same approach as painting most plastics parts. Paints that work excellently on plastics will us usually work impressively on 3D-printed parts. Before diving into the paint job, here are some few tips to keep in mind:
Ensure that your surface is hole-free and free from dust and oil as well
Shake your spray paints for even dispersion
Ensure that your can caps are firm and leak-free
Ensure your paint area is well-lit and ventilated
Go for more light coats than fewer heavy coats
Selecting the right primer
Before you start spray painting, ensure that you pick a good primer.
Make sure your choice selection works on plastic and 3D parts, and apply the primer as directed for use on the can or label.
Set up your part
3D printing prototype and additive manufacturing is great for a number of reasons. One of such reasons is the ability to conjure parts with complex geometries. To effectively paint your part, it is advisable to place your part on a part or wire-hang it to ensure that you can reach every angle.
You should also try to do the spray painting in a generous area, well ventilated. If you don’t have such space, be sure to place a bundle of cartons around the spray area to prevent messing it up.
Handling the paint
Try to use a spray booth or a fume hood to prevent choking or inhaling hazardous fumes. Use a glove and a respirator too.
Painting your part
Apply the primer in thin light coats across your part
Determine the multiple colours to be used and gather them.
Plan out your masks and the order of painting
Apply the base colour as the starting point
Shield the areas you do not want painted using large cuts of painter’s tape
Apply the next paint colour
Allow your paint to fully dry and remove the masks
There you have it! Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to finishing and delivering visual excellence on your home-made 3D parts. Need much more than this? First Part provides quality 3D printing prototype solutions that range from material selection to product printing, finishing, painting and treatment. Contact us now or click here to get a free quote on your project!