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I recently got into 3D printing.

Printer Setup

  • Model: Ender-3
  • Board: 4.2.2
  • Firmware: Manufacture version of Marlin with BLTouch (Aug 2022 update)
  • Auto-level: CR-Touch
  • Bed Type: Stock --- Textured PEI or are they BuildTak ??

After doing some test prints and figuring out my leveling and z-offset. I had some print residue on the bed, where you could clearly see the first layer fails.

This morning, I decided to clean the print bed with acetone after reading several other forums and watching some reputable youtubers.

After wiping the bed down with a cloth, I know have frosting on my bed. I found this out from some other posts, but no post on how to properly clean the frosting.

I've added a picture, so hopefully that helps too.

enter image description here

Is this bed surface trashed??

Crypt0
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1 Answers1

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Acetone should not be used for cleaning build surfaces. It attacks most plastics, probably including whatever Buildtak-clone is made of. It probably won't immediately ruin it, but it will degrade the surface texture.

The right agent for cleaning bed surfaces is IPA (isopropyl alcohol). If you have print material stuck to the bed texture from printing with the nozzle way too close to the bed, your best best for removing it is printing more of the same material on top of it, and hoping it adheres to the new print and pulls off with it. Not using aggressive solvents.

Is the bed surface ruined? Probably not ruined, but likely somewhat degraded. I've seen much worse though, so I'd expect it's still good for a few months of moderate use, if you take good care of it and don't keep using inappropriate cleaners or printing with the nozzle scraping the bed.

R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
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