How to Create a Polished Finish on 3D Prints
By Gareth Branwyn. Posted
This article was originally published as part of HackSpace magazine, which has since been incorporated into Raspberry Pi Official Magazine.
If you want to get a smooth result from your FDM prints (Fused Deposition Modeling), you need to smooth out all of the layers that can be seen in your final print. To achieve this, Bob (of I Like to Make Stuff) recommends first trowelling on a product like Bondo Glazing and Spot Putty. This is applied in a series of layers that are then sanded until you get a reasonably smooth surface.
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To finish off the part, you then apply several coats of automotive spray filler primer (with sanding in-between each application). The results will be a very smooth surface that does not look like a 3D print.
Gareth has been a lifelong practitioner (and chronicler) of DIY tech, media, and culture. He is the author of ten books, including Tips and Tales from the Workshop, and is a former editor for Boing Boing and Wired
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