Do parts from Shapeways need any special preparation before painting? Does any particular paint source work very well or give bad results? Thank you
ndbprrDo parts from Shapeways need any special preparation before painting? Does any particular paint source work very well or give bad results?
I bought a radio tower from Shapeways, and I also got some shipping containers made by my son-in-law who has a 3-D printer.
I painted both with water-based craft paints, had no issues, and they looked good.
York1 John
I bought a dry bulk truck trailer from Shapeways, needs LOTS of primer, or sanding, or both. I don't know what type of plastic it is.
Not sure if I can make this model suitable for up close viewing. I haven't started the project yet. It's for a bulk cement unloading facility at my transload yard.
Mike.
My You Tube
I've painted parts from Shapeways, made from both their 'Versatile Plastic' and 'Fine Detail Plastic'. Both types need to be cleaned in warm water with a bit of dish soap before assembly.
The resolution on the Fine Detail Plastic is fine enough that a coat of a thick primer is enough to smooth them out. I usually use Tamiya Grey primer myself. Once this has dried, you can just paint and finish it.
Versatile Plastic is a bit more rough, as it's designed for strength rather than appearance. The one time I used it on a model was when I had the body of a boxcab diesel printed.
In the above photo, the versatile plastic parts have been painted with grey primer. I managed to get this smooth finish on the versatile plastic by applying 'liquid putty'. This is body putty that's dissolved in solvent. When applied, it goes on like paint. After the putty had dried, I smoothed it off with 120, 240 and 360 grit sandpaper in that order. Then I primed and painted it.
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I guess I have the versatile plastic. I should ask the guy I bought it from. Maybe I'll do some primer, and see how it looks.
It does tell you right on the page what it is. They also have a drop down menu that gives you print medium types. If the designer has specified more than one type. Most do. 600 grit wet dry works. Then a good surface leveling primer. That is what i have done for all the goodies i ordered from thereshane
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Hi ndbprr
I can only speak on WSF and FUD they have changed the names of the matierials so I don't know what it is called now.
You need to clean FUD in white spirit not sure if it has a different name in the USA then wash in warm soapy water rinse and dry.
Do not breath the fumes, do not do it in the house because if the fumes don't get to you the Domestic Authorities will with extreme prejudice.
WSF wash in warm soapy water and rinse this gets rid of the wax suport matierial that may be left behind.
Clean up the prints stray fibers any ridges that should not be there be very carefull not to destroy details, I sprayed mine with Automotive spray can plastic primer once dry very very lightly sand give a second coat of primer.
With WSF the primer is very important its porus and if you don't prime, it will soak up the paint and be very difficult to get clean lines at colour changes.
Now you can use your prefered brand of hobby paint using what ever methods you prefer spry or brush mix of both whatever.
With 3D prints the preperation it is very imortant to get it right more so than more familier things like plastic kits
regards John