How to get SMOOTH 3D Prints with Acetone

Here's how to make your 3D prints smooth and shiny with acetone vapours.
This smoothing technique works only with ABS - PLA will become soft and weak.
If you want a video on how to smooth PLA, let me know in the comments! :D

The shininess of the piece you'll get depends on the time you let it bathe in the acetone vapours and the quantity of acetone you use.

Once the smoothing is done, let the piece sit for a few hours to make the outer plastic surface hard again - don't touch the piece with your fingers before it's cured!
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Here are some of my other videos you will perhaps enjoy:

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Music used in the video: New Beginning - Del

#3dprint #smoothing #acetone

[Zodliness]

If you're printing finely detailed models, it's prudent to keep a close eye when using acetone vapour to smooth layer lines, a little too much vapour can turn exquisitely detailed models into something more closely resembling Mr Blobby. TIP: To achieve an even coverage stand the model on a few upturned thumb tacks. 👍

[robertsonplantwalls]

I do square landscapes for my architecture models with PLA. This seems like a brilliant way to smooth things out for painting!

[dazwraps]

We would like to see a video on smoothing PLA in 2024 lol... Great video...

[weltonbarbosa]

so simple, yet so genius. Thanks for the video.
people were doing 20min and lots of parts videos... that is what i was looking for. just gonna teste my ABS to see the time needed

[funrc]

Thx! 👍 And yes, absolutely would like to see a video on smoothing PLA. 😃

[frozen.tomato]

Is there a method to make your prints Matt whilst removing visible layers?

[jacobfromerth]

Handy Bear, Great video! I'm interested in vapor smoothing many parts and they're a little larger than the model you used. A similar setup for me left a very uneven smoothing effect since the vapors sink in the chamber. Can you please show a larger setup?

[crushingvanessa]

The hawes holes and the top rail on the toy boat disappeared. Should it have been left in the jar for maybe just a half hour?

[borstenpinsel]

The before kinda looks realistic, like carved from stone. The after looks like made by aliens and scientists try to figure out how to open it

[Real-Tecnica]

Most of the details on the owl are gone, was left in the vapors far too long.

[GlerpidyGlarson]

Time to make one with a bucket and a seal

[darkblades]

How would you recommend doing this on a slightly larger scale? I have a Boba Fett blaster in pieces that needs to be smoothed out and this seems like it would work like a charm.

[teddymott]

Does this work on pla? I know it does on abs but not sure about other filaments

[SCHNIERElektrostatik]

Have you ever tried to flock your parts after printing? You will get a smooth velvet like surface.

[NuWineArt]

Can i use plastic cup instead of glass?

[hectorflores]

Yes, I have seen lots of videos on smoothing prints but with PLA none of the tricks have worked well! Any recommendations on using ABS? the last time I used ABS it clogged the nozzle and did not finish the print!

[guywhosellsvapes]

How long tho and how much should be added?

[lorddingus]

I think I got cheap PLA cause mine just crumbled the pieces.

[aresking]

Hey, so I've been looking into this stuff more for 3d printing and wanted to know. How do you clean the jar? I'm assuming the spot you put the jar will reek of acetone till you clean it but the jar is a bit of a confusing part for me.

[misch]

how can i make a smooth but matte surface?