Introduction

FDM 3D printing is best suited for cost effective prototypes produced with short lead time. Layer lines are generally present on FDM prints making post processing an important step if a smooth surface is required. Some post processing methods can also add strength to prints helping to mitigate the anisotropic behavior of FDM parts.

This article will discuss the most common FDM post processing methods.

Post processed FDM prints (from left to right): Cold welding, gap filling, unprocessed, sanded, polished, painted and epoxy coated.

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Support Removal

Support removal is typically the first stage of post-processing for any 3D printing technologies that require support to accurately produce parts. Support can generally be separated into 2 categories; standard and dissolvable. Unlike the other post-processing methods discussed in this article support removal is a mandatory requirement and does not produce an improved surface finish.

Standard support removal

Original print with support attached, poor support removal and good support removal (left to right)

Tool kit

Needle-nose pliers

Dental pick set

Process: Support material can generally be removed from the print with little effort, and cleaning of support material in hard to reach places (like holes or hollows) can be achieved with dental picks and needle-nose pliers. Well placed support structures, and proper print orientation, can greatly reduce aesthetic impact of support material on the final print.

Pros

Does not alter overall geometry of part.

Very quick.

Cons

Does not remove any layer lines, striations, or blemishes on the print surface.

If support structures leave behind excess material or marks, the accuracy and appearance of the print is diminished.

Finish ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Tolerances ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ Speed ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Suitable for All FDM thermoplastics

Dissolvable support removal

Tool kit

Solvent-safe container

Solvent

Ultrasonic Cleaner (optional)

Process: Standard dissolvable support materials are removed from a print by placing the print in a bath of the appropriate solvent until the support material dissolves. The support is typically printed in:

HIPS (usually associated with ABS)

PVA (usually associated with PLA)

HydroFill

Glass storage containers, like a mason jar, make excellent vessels for dissolving with Limonene. For dissolving in water, any non-porous container will work. For HIPS/ABS prints, a bath in a 1:1 ratio of (R)-(+)-limonene and isopropyl alcohol works very well for rapid support removal. Many other support materials, such as PVA (used with PLA) and HydroFill (PLA and ABS), simply dissolve in plain water.

Pro-tip : Speed up the dissolving time of soluble support material by using an ultrasonic cleaner, and changing the solvent solution once it becomes saturated with dissolved support material. Using a warm (not hot) solvent will also speed up dissolving time if an ultrasonic cleaner is not available.

Pros

Allows for complex geometries where standard support removal would be impossible.

Results in a smooth surface where support structure is in contact the part.

Cons

Improperly dissolving soluble material in solvents can result in bleaching and warping of the print.

Does not remove any layer lines, striations, or blemishes on the print surface.

Can result in small divots or holes in the final print if soluble material has leaked onto the object during printing.

Finish ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Tolerances ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ Speed ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Suitable for All FDM thermoplastics

Sanding

A sanded grey ABS print

Tool kit

150, 220, 400, 600, 1000, and 2000 grit sandpaper

Tack cloth

Toothbrush

Soap

Face mask

Process: After supports are removed or dissolved, sanding can be done to smooth the part and remove any obvious blemishes, such as blobs or support marks. The starting grit of sandpaper depends on the layer height and print quality; for layer heights of 200 microns and lower, or prints without blemishes, sanding can be started with 150 grit. If obvious blemishes are present, or the object was printed at a layer height of 300 microns or higher, start sanding with 100 grit.

Sanding should proceed up to 2000 grit, following common sanding graduations (one approach is to go from 220 grit to 400 grit, to 600 grit, to 1000 grit and finally 2000 grit). It is recommended to wet sand the print from start to finish, to prevent friction and heat build-up from damaging the part and keep the sandpaper clean. The print should be cleaned with a toothbrush and soapy water, then a tack cloth, between sanding gradations as well to prevent dust buildup and “caking”. FDM parts can be sanded up to 5000 grit to achieve and smooth, shiny finish.

Pro-tip : Always sand in small circular motions evenly across the surface of the part. It may be tempting to sand perpendicular to print layers, or even parallel to the print layers, but this can cause “trenches” to form the part. If the part discolors, or if there are many small scratches from sanding, a heat gun can be used to gently warm the print and soften the surface enough to “relax” some of the defects.

Pros

Produces extremely smooth surface finish.

Makes additional post-processing (such as painting, polishing, smoothing, and epoxy coating) very simple.

Cons

Not recommended for prints with 2 or less perimeter shells, as the sanding process can damage the print.

Difficult for intricate surfaces, and prints with small details.

Can impact overall accuracy of the the print if sanding is done too aggressively and too much material is removed.

Finish ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Tolerances ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Speed ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ Suitable for All FDM thermoplastics

Cold welding

Two grey ABS print halves attached together by cold welding

Tool kit

Acetone

Foam applicator

Process: When the size of a print exceeds the maximum volume of the printer, the design is often broken down into smaller sections and assembled together after printing. For PLA and other materials, assembly can be done using Bond-O or an appropriate glue (glue selection will depend upon plastic). For ABS, multi-part assemblies can be “welded” together using acetone. The mating surfaces need to be brushed lightly with acetone, and firmly held together, or clamped if possible, until the majority of the acetone evaporates. At this point, the two parts are chemically bonded to one another.

Pro-tip : Increasing the surface area the acetone contacts will increase the strength of the joint. This can be done by incorporating interlocking joints into the design.

Pros

Acetone will not alter the surface color of the print as much as other glues

Once dried, the joint will exhibit the properties of ABS, making further finishing simpler and uniform.

Cons

The joint formed by “welding” ABS pieces together with acetone is not as strong as a single piece print.

Excess use of acetone can aggressively dissolve the part, and negatively impact the resulting finish and tolerances.

Finish ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ Tolerances ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ Speed ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Suitable for ABS

Gap filling

A black ABS print coated with gap filler then sanded

Tool kit

Epoxy resin (only for small voids)

Autobody filler (for large voids and joining)

ABS filament & acetone (only for small voids and ABS prints)

Process: After sanding a print, or dissolving soluble supports, it is not uncommon for gaps to emerge on the print. During printing, gaps are formed when layers are incomplete due to toolpath constraints and are often inevitable. Small gaps and voids can easily be filled with epoxy (like XTC-3D), and may not require additional processing. Large gaps, or hollows left from joining a multi-print assembly, can be successfully filled with autobody filler which will require additional sanding once dry. Autobody filler makes an excellent filler, and can easily be sanded and painted once fully cured. It is also very strong, and will not weaken the plastic in the surrounding area; conversely, pieces joined with auto body filler or filled voids tend to be stronger than the native plastic.

Gaps in an ABS print can also be filled by creating a slurry of ABS filament and acetone, which chemically reacts with the ABS print and seeps into any voids in the surface. A ratio of 1 part ABS to 2 parts acetone is recommended, and will not significantly impact the surface finish around the gap if applied properly.

Pro-tip : If gaps are apparent in the print before sanding, fill the spaces with Bond-O or epoxy then sand once dry. This will greatly reduce the total amount of time required to achieve a smooth surface.

Pros

Epoxies are easily sanded and primed, making an excellent painting surface.

An ABS slurry will be the same color as the print as long as the same filament is used, so there will be no surface discolorations.

Cons

Autobody filler, or other polyester epoxy, will dry opaquely, resulting in discolored patches on the print.

Requires additional sanding to achieve a uniform finish.

Can impact overall accuracy of the the print if sanding is done too aggressively and too much material is removed.

Finish ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ Tolerances ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Speed ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Suitable for All FDM thermoplastics

Polishing

Tool kit

Plastic polishing compound

2000 grit sandpaper

Tack cloth

Toothbrush

Buffing wheel or microfiber cloth

Process: After sanding a print, a plastic polish can be applied to give standard thermoplastics, like ABS and PLA, a mirror-like surface finish. Once the print is sanded up to 2000-grit, wipe excess dust off the print with a tack cloth then clean the print in warm water bath with a toothbrush. Allow the print to dry fully, and buff using a buffing wheel or by hand with a microfibre cloth and plastic polishing compound, such as Blue Rouge. Blue Rogue is a type of jeweller’s polish, designed specifically for plastic and synthetics and produces a long-lasting surface shine. Other plastic polishes, such as those for vehicle headlights, work as well but some may include chemicals that can damage the print material.

Pro-tip : Attach a buffing wheel to a variable speed Dremel (or another rotary tool, like a power drill) for polishing small prints. A bench grinder fitted with a buffing wheel can be used for larger more robust prints, but ensure the print does not stay in one place for too long. This can cause the plastic to melt, due to friction.

Pros

Polishes the print without the use of any solvents that can warp the print and alter tolerances.

Produces a mirror-like finish if properly sanded and polished, which mimics injection molded plastics.

Plastic polish and cleaner is highly economical making this method very cost effective for the quality of the finish.

Cons

Print must be sanded thoroughly before polishing if a mirror-like finish is desired, which can impact tolerances.

Primer/paint may not adhere to the surface after polishing.

Finish ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Tolerances ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Speed ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ Suitable for All FDM thermoplastics

Priming & painting

A grey PLA FDM print spray painted black

Tool kit

Tack cloth

Toothbrush

150, 220, 400 and 600 grit sandpaper

Aerosol plastic primer

Topcoat paint

Buffing sticks

Polishing paper

Masking tape (only if multiple colors are to be used)

Nitrile gloves & appropriate mask

Process: Once the print is properly sanded (only need to go up to 600 grit for painting), the print can be primed. Priming should be done in two coats, using an aerosol primer. An aerosol primer designed for model painting will provide even coverage, and be thin enough to ensure details of the print are not obscured before painting begins. Thick primer, such as what can be purchased at a hardware store, may clump and require significant sanding. Spray the first coat in short quick strokes, approximately 15 - 20 cm away from the part, to avoid pooling of the primer. Allow the primer to dry, and sand any imperfections with 600 grit sandpaper. Apply the final coat of primer in light quick strokes, again being very careful to prevent pooling.

Once priming is complete, painting can begin. Painting can be done with artist acrylic paints and brushes, but the use of an airbrush or aerosol can will provide a smoother surface finish. Spray paint from a hardware store is thicker in viscosity, and more difficult to control, so paints designed specifically for model painting should be used. The primed surface should be buffed and polished (buffing and polishing sticks used by nail salons can be purchased online, and work perfectly for this application) then cleaned using a tack cloth. Paint the model using very light coats; the first few layers will look translucent. Once the paint forms an opaque layer (generally after 2-4 layers), allow the model to sit for 30 minutes so the paint can set. Gently polish the paint layer with the nail sticks, and follow this process for each desired color (polishing between every layer of paint).

Sections of the model can be masked with painter’s tape to preserve the undercoat color if desired. Once all paint layers are complete, remove the masks and polish the paint using polishing paper. Polishing paper, such as 3M’s or Zona’s, can be purchased in different grits and is a relatively new product. It can be purchased as a pack from many online retailers and gives paint, as well as top-coats, a shine that can otherwise not be easily achieved. Apply 1-2 layers of a topcoat to protect the paint, and allow to dry fully. The topcoat should be chosen in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer of the paint used. Incompatible topcoat and paint layers can ruin the paint job, so it is very important compatibility is assured here.

Pro-tip : When using aerosol paint, do not shake the can! The goal is to mix the pigment or primer without shaking up the propellant, which will result in bubbles in the spray. Instead, swirl the can for 2-3 minutes; the mixing bead should roll like a marble instead of rattling.

Pros

Produces professional results with attention to detail and some practice.

Allows for complete flexibility of the visual appearance of the final product, independent of the material/color the object was originally printed in.

Cons

Paint and primer add bulk to the model, which will alter tolerances and can cause issues if the piece is part of an assembly.

Acquiring high quality aerosol paint or an airbrush can increase cost.

Finish ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Tolerances ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Speed ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Suitable for All FDM thermoplastics

Vapor smoothing

A smoothed black ABS hemi-sphere print

Tool kit

Tack cloth

Solvent-safe sealable container

Solvent

Paper towels

Aluminum foil (or other solvent-proof material)

Face mask & chemical-resistant gloves

Process: Line the chosen container with paper towels along the bottom, and up the sidewalls if possible. It is critical that the vapor will not compromise the chamber itself, and the chamber can be sealed. Glass and metal containers are recommended. Pour in enough solvent to dampen, but not soak, the paper towels; this should also help the towels adhere to the sidewalls of the container. Acetone is well-known for it’s abilities to smooth ABS. For PLA, smoothing is possible with different solvents (THF or MEK work decently) but it is generally more difficult to get a smoothed surface when compared to ABS. When working with any solvent, please check the safety regulations on the chemical and always use appropriate safety precautions. A small “raft” of aluminum foil, or other solvent proof material, should be placed in the middle of the paper towel lined container. Place the print on the raft (with whatever side has been chosen as the bottom resting on the raft), and close the lid of the container. Vapor polishing will take a variable amount of time, so check the print periodically. Heat can be used to increase the speed the polishing occurs at, but care must be taken to prevent the buildup of potentially explosive vapor.

When removing the print from the chamber, try to avoid touching the print at all by leaving the print on the raft, and removing both from the container. Any points where the print has been contacted will have surface imperfections, as the outer shell will be semi-dissolved. Allow the print to fully off-gas any remaining solvent before handling.

NOTE: Many aerosolized and/or atomized solvents are flammable/explosive, and solvent vapor can be harmful to human health. Take extreme care if heating solvents, and always smooth prints/store solvent in a well-ventilated space.

Pros

Smooths many small blemishes and diminishes the layer lines present in a print without any additional work.

Produces a very smooth “shell” around the exterior of the print.

Very quick, and can be done with commonly sourced materials.

Cons

Will not “heal” gaps or fully mask layer height.

Smoothing process “dissolves” the outer shell of the print and therefore this has a heavy impact on tolerances.

Negatively impacts the strength of the print due to alterations in the properties of the print material.

Finish ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Tolerances ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ Speed ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ Suitable for ABS (sometimes PLA)

Dipping

Tool kit

Solvent-safe container

Solvent

Eye hook or small screw

Heavy gauge sculpting or landscaping wire

Drying rod or rack

Face mask & chemical-resistant gloves

Process: Ensure that the container to be used is wide enough and deep enough to accommodate the print and the solvent. Fill the container with an appropriate amount of solvent, being careful to minimize any splashing. As with vapor smoothing, acetone should be used for dipping ABS, and MEK or THF can be used to dip PLA. PLA is fairly resistant to solvent smoothing so it may take several attempts to achieve the desired result. Prepare the print for dipping by screwing an eye hook or small screw into an inconspicuous surface of the print. Loop the wire through the eye of the hook, or around the screw, so that the print can be lowered into the bath using the wire. If the wire is too thin of a gauge, it will not be able to counteract the buoyancy of the print and make proper dipping very difficult.

Once the print is prepped, quickly submerge the entire object in the solvent for no more than a few seconds using the wire. Remove the print and hook the wire over a drying rod or rack to allow the solvent to fully evaporate from the surface. The print can be gently shaken after removal to facilitate drying, and ensure no solvent pools in recesses on the surface.

Pro-tip : If once dry, the print has an opaque white-ish color, it can be suspended over the solvent bath for some time to allow the evaporating solvent vapor to slightly dissolve the surface. This will restore the print’s color and ensure a shiny outer layer.

Pros

Smooths the print surface much quicker than vapor polishing.

Produces much less vapor than other methods of solvent polishing, which reduces the safety risks.

Cons

Very aggressively smooths the surface of the print, so tolerances will not be maintained.

Too long of a dip can result in complete deformation of the print, and significant alteration to the material properties.

Finish ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Tolerances ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Speed ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Suitable for ABS (sometimes PLA)

Epoxy coating

A black ABS print showing half coated with epoxy and half unprocessed

Tool kit

2-part epoxy resin (such as XTC-3D)

Foam brush applicator

Mixing container

1000 grit or higher sandpaper

Process: Once the print is sanded (sanding first will produce better final results), fully clean the print with a tack cloth. Mix the appropriate ratio of resin to hardener as specified on the instructions for the resin, ensuring everything is measure precisely. Epoxy resins are exothermic when mixed, so glass containers and containers composed of materials with low melting points should be avoided. Containers specifically designed for mixing epoxy resins are recommended. Improper ratios will increase drying time, and the epoxy may never fully cure, resulting in a “tacky” finish. XTC-3D is a specialized coating designed for 3D printing, but any 2-part epoxy resin will work well for this application as long as it is prepared properly. Thoroughly mix the resin and the hardener as per the instructions using smooth revolutions, to minimize the number of air bubbles introduced to the system. A little epoxy goes a long way, and most epoxies only have a working time of 10-15 minutes so plan accordingly.

Apply the first coat of the epoxy using a foam applicator, and try to minimize pooling on any recessed surfaces or details of the print. Once the print has been sufficiently coated, allow the epoxy to fully cure as per manufacturer instructions. A first coat may be sufficient to smooth the print, but for an optimal finish, the print should be lightly sanded with fine sandpaper (1000 grit or higher) to remove any imperfections. Remove any dust with a tack cloth, and apply a second coat of epoxy, following the same procedure.

Pros

Very thin layer of epoxy will not impact the tolerances of the print all that greatly (unless the print is sanded first).

Provides an outer protective “shell” around the print.

Cons

Surface layer lines will still be visible, they are just under a “smooth” shell.

Applying too much epoxy can result in pooling in details of the print and edges, giving the surface a “dripping” look.

Finish ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Tolerances ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Speed ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ Suitable for All FDM thermoplastics

Metal plating

A nickel plated, FDM printed structural member coated by Repliform using RepliKote Technology.

Tool kit (for home plating)

Electroforming solution - Electroforming solution can be made by mixing a metal salt with an acid and water, but unless the measurements are exact and the ingredient quality is very high, it is difficult to achieve professional finishes. Buyipremade solution (such as Midas’ solutions) will ensure plating issues are not due to the solution.

Sacrificial anode - The material of the anode must match the metal of the electroforming solution, so if copper sulfate is used in the solution, then a copper anode must be used. Any object made of the plating metal can be used (such as copper for copper plating), or a thin strip of the plating metal can be purchased, which is made specifically for electroplating.

Conductive paint or acetone & graphite - The surface of the print must be conductive for plating to work, which can be achieved with conductive paint or a 1:1 solution of graphite and acetone. The conductive paint will work for any print materbut the acetone graphite solution will only work for ABS.

Power rectifier - A battery can be used in place of a power rectifier, but a battery is not as efficient and will not produce results as quickly or consistently as a rectifier will. A rectifier is also a safer option, as it can simply be turnedto break the current flow during electroplating.

Conductive screw or eye-hook

Non-conductive vessel

Lead set

Non-conductive gloves and protective eyewear

Electroforming solutions are acidic, and can cause eye damage if splashed, so appropriate eyewear is necessary. It can also irritate skin and will conduct charge during electroplating, therefore non-conductive gloves should be used at all times..

Process: Metal-plating can be done using electroplating at home, or a professional shop. Proper metal-plating requires a strong knowledge of materials, and what can be done at home is limited in comparison to what a professional shop can achieve. For superior finishes, and a wider range of plating options including chroming, utilizing a professional shop is the best option. For clarity, the process of electroplating with copper will be described below.

Electroplating at home can be done using copper or nickel as a base plate, to which other metals can then be plated over. It is of critical importance that the print surface is as smooth as possible prior to plating; any irregularities and layer lines will be emphasized after the plating process. Prepare the cleaned and sanded print for plating by coating the plastic with a thin layer of high-quality conductive paint, or a solution of acetone and graphite if the print is ABS. Allow the conductive coating to dry fully, and sand if necessary to ensure a smooth surface. It is of utmost importance to minimize contact with the print at this point or wear gloves, as the oils from skin will affect the plating process.

Insert the screw or eyehook into an inconspicuous surface of the print, and attach to one of the rectifier leads; this will serve as the cathode and must be connected to the negative terminal of the rectifier. Attach the copper anode to the positive terminal of the rectifier using the second power lead, and fill the chosen vessel with enough copper electroforming solution to fully cover the print and copper anode. Insert the anode into the bath and turn on the power rectifier. Once the rectifier is on, insert the print into the bath, ensuring it is not contacting the anode at any point (Be very careful at this step, as once the print is in the bath, the plating system is electrically live and any contact with the solution or anode/cathode can cause injury). Set the power rectifier to 1-3 volts, and allow plating to occur until the print is fully coated. The voltage can be increased to increase plating time, but do not exceed 5 volts. Simply power off the rectifier and remove the print once a satisfactory coating has been deposited and dry the print using microfiber towels. Coat the print with a metal lacquer once dry to protect from corrosion.

Pros

A plated metal shell increases the strength of the plastic part, which greatly broadens potential applications and uses of the print.

The outer metal coating is very thin, so tolerances can be tightly held if the plating is done properly.

Produces a beautiful surface finish, which if done properly, will not look like a 3D printed object.

Cons

Generally, very expensive to plate the prints professionally, and electro-plating at home requires a decent amount of equipment for a professional finish.

Electroplating at home can cause electrical injury if proper safety procedures are not followed and adhered to.