3D printing using resin certainly presents its challenges, especially when it involves dealing with liquids like the resin itself and isopropyl alcohol. Many have asked the best way to get rid of these substances safely. Let me shed some light on this for all my fellow tech enthusiasts!
When it comes to disposing of uncured resin, the first thing you should do is ensure all of it – even the tiny droplets on paper towels – is fully cured. Once that’s done, treat the cured resin like any other plastic waste. As for the isopropyl alcohol, a little trick is to cure whatever container it’s in, filter, and you can reuse the alcohol!
Question Time: Can Uncured Resin be Poured Down a Sink/Drain?
Well, I’m sure some of you might’ve thought of this easy disposal route. However, the simple answer is NO. Uncured resin can wreak havoc on your plumbing and might even harm marine life if it reaches them. If you’re holding onto any resin residues deemed hazardous, make sure they’re cured before disposal.
Tip: Check with your local waste management center. They sometimes offer collection services for such materials. If you have an empty resin bottle lying around, rinse it with a touch of isopropyl alcohol, expose it to sunlight to cure, cap it tightly, and toss it in the trash. As a tech enthusiast, I sometimes keep these bottles around for DIY resin mixes, combining colors, or tweaking resin properties!
Got a Resin Spill? Here’s How to Handle It
We’ve all been there – a minor mishap and there’s a resin spill to deal with. Wearing gloves is a must! Start by soaking up as much liquid as you can with paper towels, followed by a cleanup using warm soapy water. Remember, isopropyl alcohol can harm certain parts of your 3D printer, so it’s best to avoid it for cleanup. If the resin solidifies before you can get to it, your trusty plastic spatula should come in handy to scrape it off. For those intricate areas, cotton swabs combined with warm soapy water work like a charm. If you’ve accidentally gotten resin on your lead screw, isopropyl alcohol can be used for cleaning it. Don’t forget to re-lubricate afterwards!
Pro Tip: For the best cleaning results, make sure your room is well-ventilated, either by opening a window or using an air purifier. If there’s a spill during a print job, follow these steps to ensure your printer remains unharmed:
1. Unplug the printer.
2. Carefully wipe away any excess resin.
3. Remove the resin tank and cover it to prevent UV exposure.
4. Use a mix of paper towels and soapy water to clean the printer surface.
To avoid future spills, ensure you don’t overfill past the maximum line on the resin tank. When unsure about using IPA, always test it on a small surface to avoid damage.
Disposal of Cured Resin
Once cured, resin is harmless and safe to touch. Feel free to toss any failed prints or supports into your regular trash. The power duo for curing resin is air and sunlight. For a fun twist, try water curing your prints – I’ve got an article about this that you might find intriguing!
Steps to Dispose of Your Resin & Isopropyl Alcohol Mixture
Disposing of the resin isn’t rocket science. Here’s a straightforward method:
1. Place your resin container under UV light or sunlight.
2. Once cured, filter the resin.
3. Safely dispose of the solidified residue.
4. Reuse the isopropyl alcohol or dilute with water and pour it down the drain.