Comment on How Transparent is Clear Resin in actual use?
Ulrich@feddit.org 4 days ago
Not terribly clear off the printer but I’ve seen people dip them in something. Can’t seem to remember what it is. Epoxy, maybe? And that makes them super clear. You could probably also just hit them with a clear coat from a spray paint can.
Even then, it’s susceptible to absorbing oils from your hands, and being damaged by UV, both which will turn them yellow after a while, like all clear plastics (other than acrylic).
CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 3 days ago
I think youre thinking of an acetone bath which will melt the outer layer of some plastics and make them smooth.
sexybenfranklin@ttrpg.network 3 days ago
No, the reason clear 3d prints are cloudy is because layer lines cause scattering, which makes it appear cloudy. Coating the surface with a clear epoxy fills in the tiny gaps that causes light to scatter, improving the optical clarity.
CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 3 days ago
Whether you’re filling the low spots or melting away the high spots, I think you’re achieving the same result.
sexybenfranklin@ttrpg.network 2 days ago
Yeah but this whole post is about resin prints, which cannot be acetone smoothed.
CrazyLikeGollum@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Acetone smoothing is mainly for FDM prints made from ABS or ASA and works because those plastics are readily soluble in acetone.
For resin prints acetone can be used as a substitute for or additive to IPA when cleaning off excess resin before curing. There’s even some evidence that it works better than IPA alone for this purpose. Although, if you leave a resin print in the acetone too long it can cause some discoloration and make the part more brittle.