When I just started out with 3D printing, somewhere back in 2012, I experimented with different ways to paint or stain my prints. I had some tiedye colors lying around, so I decided to put a white PLA print in a jar of water and dye and see what happens. The jar was placed in the back of one of my workshop cupboards, and 8.2 seconds later I completely forgot about it.

Flash forward to spring 2016, I find the jar while cleaning out my workshop. Curious about this interesting and accidental experiment, I fished out the PLA part.

What do you think happens to PLA after being submerged in water for over 3.5 years?

The answer: Absolutely nothing. It looks and feels exactly like the day it came off the printer.