Hey, tech enthusiasts! I’m Carolina, and I’m all about sharing the coolest things I discover. So, imagine me chilling, watching my Anycubic Photon Mono X do its thing, crafting a beautiful model. And bam! I notice these annoying white streaks. Bummer, right? I thought, What’s the deal with this?
White streaks on resin prints? You’d think in this age of technology, that wouldn’t be a thing. But it is. After a deep dive, I unraveled some nifty tricks to kiss those white marks goodbye! First off, always, always clean your print in dual containers of cleansing solution. It’s a game-changer. Got an ultrasonic cleaner or an old toothbrush? Put it to work! Scrub-a-dub your model, and make sure it’s bone dry before curing.
Hang tight! Let’s delve deeper to elevate your resin printing journey.
Why Those Pesky White Streaks on Resin 3D Prints?
Surprise, surprise, the culprit might be that liquid cleaner with tiny particles of semi-hardened resin. Also, and I can’t stress this enough, never cure a print that’s still wet. Especially if it’s drenched in isopropyl alcohol. And always ensure your resin prints are arid before giving them the UV treatment.
If you’re on Team IPA (and I don’t mean the beer ), you might’ve noticed that it tends to gather uncured resin at the container’s base. During the washing cycle, this residue can cling onto your creations. Especially evident when using transparent resin.
Flashback: I once experimented with Anycubic Eco Resin in gray, and then went transparent. Yep, there were residues on some models. Not a fun day. Moreover, from community chatter, many found a link between curing damp prints and these white patches.
One resin enthusiast shared a tale of tap water woes. The impurities in regular tap water can sometimes adhere to the print, causing those unwanted white spots. The solution? A double container IPA rinse, and no more tap water. Problem solved!
White Streaks Be Gone!
Here’s the scoop: after your print is done, dive into a refined post-processing routine. Trust me; it’s easier than it sounds.
Let’s break it down:
1. Slip on those nitrile gloves and spread out some absorbent paper towels.
2. Carefully lift your print from the build plate, gently wiping off the uncured resin.
3. Time for the first cleaning bath. Use an ultrasonic cleaner if you have one, and gently brush off any stubborn resin.
4. Hot tip: dip the model in nearly boiling water (around 90°C) for a brief moment. This softens the supports, making them easier to detach.
5. After you’ve removed all supports, dunk your print in the initial cleaning bath again.
6. Finally, for the pièce de résistance, immerse your model in a second cleaning solution.
A UV light curing chamber can work wonders post-cleaning. The aim is to get the cleanest, whitest-streak-free prints.
For those wondering, hot water can make removing supports effortless. Pro tip: always employ two distinct cleaning baths to avoid dunking your print in the previous murky solution. It guarantees a pristine finish, trust me.
Sticky Resin Prints? I Got You!
If your resin prints are feeling a tad tacky, it’s a sign they aren’t cured enough. The strategy? Dunk them in IPA or another cleaner, then let the UV light do its magic. Overcuring is rarely an issue. If the tackiness persists, sanding works like a charm. Speaking from experience, ResinAway & 1-Gallon Yellow Magic 7 Cleaner are gold standards for cleaning. They are less pungent than IPA and super effective.
And a shoutout to those intricate prints with complex structures: pockets, textures, and dense supports can be tricky. For such, an ultrasonic cleaner is a blessing. Looking for recommendations? The InvisiClean Ic-2755 800ml Ultrasonic Cleaner is a gem. Safety first: steer clear of IPA in ultrasonic devices. Opt for safer alternatives like the aforementioned Yellow Magic 7 Cleaner.
Lastly, remember, a flawless print is all about the details. Avoid any residual liquid or water on the print. For containers that seem past their prime, use UV light to harden the resin. Filter out the gunk, and it’s as good as new. And for those diving deeper into the resin realm, check out my piece on 3D Printer Resin Disposal Guide – Resin, Isopropyl Alcohol.