I decided to look this up and found this video after cleaning my FEP for the first time with a rough paper towel, it looked a little scratchy and I finished it with a micro fiber cloth. After seeing this I hope that after doing this just once everything will be mostly okay and I'll use the micro fiber cloth exclusively going forward. Thanks for the video!
The glass cleaner is a life saver I was trying to clean the glass with iso thinking it would do the best job but a combination of the two worked way better!
I was a bit skeptical but I tried this and it really worked. I did use a small amount of IPA as the final stage, though, which combined with the microfiber cloth left the FEP almost as good as new. As an alternative to paper towels, I use (I don't know their technical term) glass paper towels, which is basically paper towels used by professional window cleaners, as it doesn't scratch or leave fiber residue (some products might be better than others, I'm sure.) It's what I have been using for months to clean the FEP and the LCD screen. And if someone finds that the microfiber cloth leaves some bits here and there, a final warm bath with a some soap will clean whatever is still there, something which I do anyway as the final step because I suspect too much IPA can damage the FEP, or at least reduce it's effectiveness.
I'm glad your results lived up to my promise. 😊 I definitely encourage people to modify this process to find what works best for them. I've never heard of the kind of paper towels you're describing, but it makes total sense. I'll definitely look into those! I agree completely, I try to avoid using harsh cleaners on the FEP whenever possible. When I discovered that IPA really isn't needed, at least not every time you clean out the vat. I figured others might be interested in learning about that's as well. Thanks for watching and thanks for the awesome feedback!
Don't know why no one's ever suggested a silicone spatula! It makes perfect sense to use that in the vat instead of the plastic ones they come with. Not only do you avoid potentially puncturing the FEP sheet, but it also is easy to clean, since you can just cure it, break off the resin, then wipe the rest off!
Exactly! Also, you can use it to stir resin in the vat after it's been sitting for awhile. Plus (yep there's more) running it along the FEP after a print will allow you to feel any bits of cured resin stuck to it. It's just such a helpful tool!
I started with FDM. They both have pros and cons. What I love though is how each technology seems to fill in the gaps left by the other. They really make the perfect pair!
Quick question about the microfiber: Are you washing them out to reuse or are they for trash afterwards? And if you wash them, how do you handle these cloths?
Hey there. Sorry I didn't cover that in the video. Cleaning microfiber clothes: I don't clean and reuse my cloths because I feel that the time and materials required outweigh the benefits. As described in the video, I cut the larger cloth up into 6-8 pieces. Then if you use 3 to clean your vat you can usually keep the last (third) one and use it as the first cloth for your next cleaning. If you're following the process I show in this video then the first and second cloths will likely have too much resin to use them again. No matter what you decide to do, you always need to cure the resin on all of your cloths by putting them in the sun or in your cure chamber. If you want to try cleaning and reusing a cloth I'd use an IPA bath then washing it in warm soapy water. I wouldn't put them in a washing machine.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Allright, thank you very much! I actually thought about a washing machine for a second but surely it wouldn't be really healthy because of the resin. And i already ruined my first FEP because of paper towels but with this video I'm ready to try more resin printing with less loss. Thanks! :)
Quick question. I see a lot of reviews online about some people are washing there water washable resin models in the sink. Surely this is wrong right? The resin still gonna harden somewhere in the drains. Am i right?
Yeah unfortunately that's been going around for a bit. The answer is no you should never wash any resin down the drain. That goes for any type of resin including water washable and plant-based bio-resin. I really appreciate that you asked before doing it!
Going to try this now! Got a bunch of microfiber cloths that I bough at Costco many years ago and this might be a good use! So far, I've always used IPA for the last cleaning step but I didn't feel it was the best solution, so I'm curious about this method. Thanks! Update: It worked pretty well although there is still some resin left where the FEP tucks under the vat. A big deal? Probably not, since I keep a lid on the vat, the UV cover on the printer, and the printer in an enclosure.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay The microfiber cloth is a need idea but my favorite change is the smell of the window cleaner compared to the IPA :) I was already using a silicone spatula because I was too cheap to waste all that sweet, sweet resin.
Epic stuff!! Also, I managed to find out that the water washable resins Elegoo make are a bit easier to work with cleaning-wise. With my vat the last fail I had I was able to just drain the it and clean it with dish soap + water and remove the failure while I was at it, rinse thoroughly then pat dry with a soft towel and dry with a hairdryer on its lowest heat to reduce how much I have to touch the FEP film to clean it. Your method however will be how I handle cleaning with standard resins that aren't water washable.
by rinsing thoroughly you don't mean having that water go down the drain right? water washable resin, just like normal resin, is very bad news if you put that down your drain!
@@minecraftmaster602 that is an important call out. It's something that a lot of resin manufacturers are mostly to blame for. From the description of the resin to the images used everything makes it seem like this is the "Safe" kind of resin. For a little while there a lot of Manufacturers actually had a photoshopped picture of a model being held by a sink implying that it was washed that way... So, yeah it's definitely something to raise awareness for.
@@minecraftmaster602 nope. Treat it like the regular alcohol washable resin and process your waste water, but you can use clean water as a rinse for your vat and parts that you make with the printer.
I really like the video, extremely helpful, I hope that the channel continues growing, the videos are excellents and very easy to understand, thank you
@@shimamahtabian2179 I don't have a specific brand I use. However, I do use and recommend nFEP. It's possible what you have is TSP film or something similar. It's supposedly better for fast printing but it is more cloudy than FEP/nFEP.
I may have missed, but what is the best way to get the harded resin off of the FEP without causing damage? I currently have this issue and dont want to ruin my FEP
No you didn't miss it, I just didn't think to include it. But I really should have. 🤦♂️ Eventually I'll make time to create an updated video on this process and I'll explain my process for removing prints from the FEP. In the meantime, I did create a short video showing how I do that. Let me know if you have any questions. ua-cam.com/users/shorts5p9kvN96HYs?feature=share
@@SlicePrintRoleplay one more quick question! Could I us a 70% alcohol wipe instead of the cloth? I don’t have those on me at the moment, I will get some. In the meantime would it be safe to use the wipes? If not what alternatives can I use? Sorry for all the questions!
I'd just like to comment that in my experience, the cleaning solution (I use IPA) can dissolve the paint in the microfiber cloth, making it leave a bluish residue behind. I recommend getting uncolored clothes to solve the problem.
I've not experienced that yet, however I can definitely see how that would happen. I really appreciate the input and I'll definitely do get plan uncolored ones from now on!
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Sadly I found out by experience. Probably that window cleaner stuff you use to clean your vat is less aggressive than IPA though, but it never hurts to be too careful I guess.
@@torginus haha about that. I actually have started recommending people use IPA in a spray bottle instead of that glass cleaner. It just works better a braking down liquid resin... But it's DEFINITELY important to remember that it will brake down a lot of other stuff too... Very helpful input thank you!
@@SlicePrintRoleplay On a note for the IPA you really need to wear a mask when doing that as the resin+IPA mixed together is REALLY REALLY BAD to breath in.
Hi Tyler. Great video! It helped me a lot. I just have one question though. What do you do with the microfiber cloths you used to clean the vat? Do you discard them or do you clean them?
Hey there Albert. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and that it helped you! I don't clean and reuse my cloths because I feel that the time and materials required outweigh the benefits. As described in the video, I cut the larger cloth up into 6-8 pieces. Then if you use 3 to clean your vat you can usually keep the last (third) one and use it as the first cloth for your next cleaning. If you're following the process I show in this video then the first and second cloths will likely have too much resin to use them again. No matter what you decide to do, you always need to cure the resin on all of your cloths by putting them in the sun or in your cure chamber. If you want to try cleaning and reusing a cloth I'd use an IPA bath then washing it in warm soapy water.
great video but one thing im confused about, you can't clean the glass with the paper towel and glass cleaner? I see you only clean the glass with the cloth but not the paper towerl with the glass cleaner. Can you explain why that is? thanks!
That's a great question. So the FEP is actually made of thin clear plastic and not glass. The reason I don't recommend using paper towels on the FEP is because they are rough enough to scratch it. Those scratches can build up and obscure the UV light. This means you'll lose some detail in your prints.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay thanks for getting back to me, so just a wipe with the micro cloth and toss it away is good enough for the FEB? Or should i add the glass cleaner to the cloth first and wipe it? Thanks for this video!
@@ksockhak sorry for the late response, I never got a notification for this comment. 🤦♂️ Yep like I show in the video, I typically just use 3 dry microfiber cloths. If you want to use IPA then I'd recommend using 2 dry cloths then 1 with IPA, then 2 more dry ones to ensure all the IPA/resin has been cleaned out of the FEP. Just make sure to put any paper towels or microfiber cloths, with resin on them, out in the sun or in your cure station for a bit before putting them in the trash.
Thank you so much for this information. One question though. Do you throw out the microfiber cloth squares after you clean the vat? Can you run them through the wash and reuse them? Thank you in advance.
You are very welcome! I don't personally reuse them. I don't clean my vat often enough for that to be necessary. If you try it let me know how it goes... But if you dispose of them be sure to cure them first. Either leave them out in the sun or run them through your curing station.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay How often do you clean your vat? I thought you needed to clean it out if you aren't gonna use it again within 48 hours (that's what the manual of my Elegoo Mars 3 Pro says).
***Cleaning Microfiber Cloths*** ***Cleaning the FEP with IPA*** ***Removing cured resin from the FEP*** Cleaning microfiber clothes: I've had a lot of people asking about this so I decided to pin a note about it. I don't clean and reuse my cloths because I feel that the time and materials required outweigh the benefits. As described in the video, I cut the larger cloth up into 6-8 pieces. Then if you use 3 to clean your vat you can usually keep the last (third) one and use it as the first cloth for your next cleaning. If you're following the process I show in this video then the first and second cloths will likely have too much resin to use them again. No matter what you decide to do, you always need to cure the resin on all of your cloths by putting them in the sun or in your cure chamber. If you want to try cleaning and reusing a cloth I'd use an IPA bath then washing it in warm soapy water. Cleaning the FEP with IPA: If you are concerned about the FEP being damaged you can certainly clean with IPA. However, remember that a lot of times clouding of the FEP is caused by the IPA thinning out the resin and making a very fine and semi opaque residue. So you have to make sure to get it all out. Here is the process I'd recommend. Cut 4 playing card size pieces of microfiber cloth. Use the first piece to get as much of the resin off the FEP as you can. Use the second piece with IPA to clean the FEP only. Use paper towels on the metal/plastic vat frame Use the third piece to clean all the IPA and resin off the FEP. Use the fourth piece to clean the FEP a final time to remove anything the third piece missed. Here's a video showing how I remove cured bits of resin from the FEP. ua-cam.com/users/shorts5p9kvN96HYs?feature=share Thanks for all the great feedback everyone!
Great video! I see from the comment thread you have switch to IPA from the glass cleaner... what about if I am using water washable resin? Is it still recommended to use IPA for the wipe down? Curious how the process might differ depending on the resin used.
Thanks for the positive feedback! So I don't charge my cleaning process for different resins. Doesn't matter if it's Eco, Water Washable, etc. They are all still resin so I treat them all the same.
Do you do this after EVERY print? Or only failures? Can I leave the resin in the car until my next print? Do I have wipe down the plate every time ? I’m so lost lol
Okay so in order, First, it's only required after failure. Second, the car? I wouldn't recommend it. In the vat of the printer? That's fine but keep the hood/lid on to keep the resin safe from sunlight. Third, no need to wipe down the build plate. However, check it to make sure you've gotten all the semi cured resin off of it. Hope that helps. 😊
I am finding the microfiber cloths are causing static and attracting fuzz, fibers, and the like on the FEP. Are these a cause for worry? Is there something I could perhaps be doing differently? Thanks for the video
Haha yeah that does tend to happen. As long as it's not a crazy amount of debris (or anything hard) then it's not a big deal. I do occasionally find a cat hair in my finish models, but that's hard to avoid sometimes. 😂
I saw from Uncle Jessy that he tried Denatured Alcohol and with IPA shortages all over the world, I gave Denatured a shot...WOW! It cleans resin like champ. Anyone else have experience with Denatured Alcohol any thoughts?
Yep I cut them up to have multiple 1 use pieces. I don't think it's worth the effort to save/reuse them. Just put them out in the sun for a few hours and then throw them out.
Nope I don't use anything on the FEP. In my experience dry microfiber cloths are usually enough to get the FEP clean. If you can't get it clean with dry cloths then I you can use a small amount it IPA.
@@ollyk22 for smaller printers I use 3 pieces of cloth. I do throw away the first 2 but the third is usually clean enough to keep for the next cleaning. I don't clean them but a lot of people ask about that. I suppose you could but the effort isn't worth it to me.
I do yes. The ones I've tested so far work just as well as the paint strainers. I believe if I link to Amazon here it will get flagged. If you'd like to send me a message on Facebook I'll gladly send you a link to the ones I got.
I'm really glad to hear that! Also just as a heads up, I've tested it and can confirm that IPA (80% or above) in a spray bottle is a better option over the glass cleaner.
I personally cure the filters and clothes in the sun and then throw them out. In my opinion I don't believe it's worth it to reuse any of them.. However, there are reusable filters you can get. I'm testing some currently.
Thanks for the tutorial. I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on a printer soon. Do you have to clean the cat after every print job or only after a failed print?
Ugh bro I needed u like one day earlier! Uve been so much help. Sadly I used paper towel on my FEP and it def freaking shows. I really hate how this information isn’t more available cause I really had no idea. 😣 well I did start another print and I think it’s working ok even tho my VAT def looked cloudy from the paper towel. Off to buy microfiber clothes tomorrow. 😖 😂
Man I can’t thank you enough bro. I even laid my vat down to clean it which was stupid. Also with ur microfiber can u cute and then wash em or do u toss em after?
The good news is that it shouldn't effect print quality unless you scrubbed the hell out of your vat with it. Using paper towels once or twice shouldn't cause too much damage. At least not usually enough to loose detail in your prints. However, using them consistently will definitely cause issues. If you don't see any noticeable print quality issues then the FEP is probably fine. I personally don't think it's worth cleaning the microfiber cloths. After you use them though just be sure to put them out in the sun for a bit. This will cure any resin on them and make it safe to throw them away.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay good info as always man! Yea I started a Zelda print last night and got Libks shield done and it looks 👌🏻 👩🍳 💋 I’ll just be careful from here out. You’ve even in just 3-4 videos taught me so much man haha
@@SlicePrintRoleplay 100% you got my sub and I look forward to more content. I know u mentioned doing a support videos down the road but how about priming and preparing figures for paint? I also sent u a tip cause I really appreciate ur rapid responses
A very informative video also different from what I'm expected almost everyone else says to clean out the vat after every print can you also link the microfiber cloth you use
Glad you found the video informative! Thanks for the positive feedback it's always appreciated! I believe the microfiber cloths I used in the video I just got from Walmart. However, I do have some really inexpensive ones linked in the video description.
Several comments & questions after viewing your video & reading ALL the comments & questions- 1st of all I Luv the fact that you answered ALL the questions asked in the comment section ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! I just did my 1st test print with new MONO SE 46.5 hours ago when I realized [O Shit] I forgot to empty out the resin left in tank🤦🏻♂️, I read somewhere that 2 days was ok? Is that correct? So before I went charging into my shop I took a breath & viewed a few UA-cam videos & yours was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My test print was a success (so no failed print). So I’m hoping that my 1st clean is a smooth clean😬 So if U could please give me guidance on the best time to empty a vat after a GOOD PRINT-I’d appreciate it! I get that with my 1st FAILED PRINT to do it right away!! Thanks again for your EXCELLENT video & your EXCELLENT & RESPECTFUL treatment of your viewers🤩it’s refreshing to see- New Subscriber here Sir😁 ☯️ZenModeling☯️
Thank so much for the positive feedback and encouragement! It means a lot! ❤️ I'm always so glad to hear that others enjoyed my videos and found them helpful! As for cleaning out the vat. Inspect the model carefully to see if it has any failures. Things like, missing parts, parts that broke away from supports, etc. If you see any obvious failures before removing it from the plate or after cleaning then I'd recommend cleaning the vat. However, if you don't see any failures then you shouldn't need to clean your vat. Just to be safe, I always stir the resin around in the vat using a rubber kitchen Scraper. If you go slow and you run it along the bottom of the vat you can usually feel if there's any hard bits. If you have any other questions just let me know.
@@Zen_Modeling oh... 😅... About 6 weeks. 🤦♂️... I just stirred it up very well before printing (with a rubber kitchen scraper) and it printed just fine.
@@Zen_Modeling just make sure to keep the hood/cover on it. You can also print a cover to go over the vat itself. That just gives some extra piece of mind.
Yes, but leave them in the sun for a few hours first. Or put them in your curing chamber for a bit before throwing them out. Only cured resin is considered safe to dispose of in the normal trash.
How often do you have to clean all of that? do you do it after every print? do you need to remove the resin whenever you don't use the printer or can you let it sit inside? Also what did you use to scrape the cured resin without damaging the fep?
All good questions. #1, clean the vat like this after evey failed print. You want to make sure you're not leaving cured bits of resin in the vat after a failure because those bits can damage the LCD during the next print. #2, it's not necessary to do this after every print. I recommend doing after any print failure though. #3, I've let resin set in the vat for weeks with it causing an issue. However, you need to make sure the lid/hood stays on to stop sunlight from curing the resin. You also need to stir up the resin before printing with it. #4, I use a rubber kitchen scraper to safely remove cured resin from the FEP. Here's a video showing how I do that. ua-cam.com/users/shorts5p9kvN96HYs?feature=share Thanks for asking this great questions!
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Thanks to you for answering them ^^ I'm just starting with sla so i'm still trying to figures everything out. my first print was a success however there was cured resin stuck to the fep for some reason so for now i think i'll clean everything and filter the resin after every print just in case there's piece of cured resin floating around that could damage the fep or the screen. Might be overkill but hey if it doesn't do any good it won't do any harm either.
@@mandrac2 you are so very welcome! I'm always happy to help so definitely reach out to me on Facebook or Instagram if you have any questions. That's definitely not a bad idea decision. I cleaned out the vat for my first 50 prints for the exact some reason as you. Once you understand how to this all works your confidence will increase. 😊
I'm no expert, but I'd imagine that tissues would only be a little less abrasive than paper towels. If you are looking for an alternative to micro fiber cloths, you can use cotton makeup remover pads. They are a great option, but be careful because if you rube them too hard they will brake apart and you'll get cotton fibers in your vat... It's not the end of the world when it happens though, just a little extra cleaning.
When you finish printing do you need to put resin to the 1/3 a another time ? And how much time can I let the resin in the printer do I have to clean it right after if I don't print anything or can I let it there to wait for a another print ? Thank you
No problem. If it's a large print like 80mm by 80mm then you probably want to top the vat (tub that holds the resin) off, but if it's a smaller print you don't have to worry about more than having the vat 1/2 full. With the hood/lid on you can let the resin sit in the vat for a few days without any issues. However, make sure you stir the resin up really good before you go to use it again. Use a rubber kitchen scraper. Lastly, if you have a failure (a support or part of the model didn't print correctly) I'd recommend draining the vat and checking for any small bits of cured resin so it's totally clean before you start again. If you have any more questions feel free to ask here or find be on Facebook.
Hey i have small bent in my vat, is that a deal breaker. Does that mean i have to get a new one. My failed print was really stuck. What source do i trust to buy a new screen if i must. I tried to removed the failed print again after emptying the vat.
Is Windex a no no? I just see you say glass cleaner and thats what we have at the house. Or would it be better to just put some 99% IPA in a new spray bottle?
If you're talking about the FEP, some people actually say Windex/Rainex is great and it helps prints release from the FEP better. I haven't tested it however. The cleaning method in this video explains how to clean the FEP without a cleaning solution. However, sometimes it can be needed. The main benefit of IPA is that it will break down the resin. Just make sure you use 2 dry cloths after you wipe the FEP with IPA, Windex, etc. Most of the time clouding is caused by a very thin layer of resin being left on the FEP after cleaning. However, if you're talking about Windex for general cleaning of your tools/work area then I'd use IPA in a spay bottle. I don't believe Windex will dissolve/clean away the liquid resin nearly as effectively as IPA.
hi, can you tell me please, how should i recycle the water that is contaminated with the washable resin after i cleaned my printed object in it? I mean where or how should i dispose the water? Thanks
Good on you for asking how to do this responsibly! 💚 The best way to do it is to line a large disposable aluminum tray with paper towels or newspaper. Then pour the liquid into the tray. Then put the tray out in the sun. Since it's water filled with resin and not IPA, you also will want to keep animals from getting in it. Animals are less likely to know the liquid is harmful when it's water with resin in it and not IPA. Mostly because IPA has such a strong smell. Most disposable aluminum trays will come with a lid. Just put a bunch 1/4 inches holes in the lid to let light in and to let the evaporated liquid out. That should deter animals from getting in it. After a few days the liquid should have all evaporated, the resin should be cured, and the paper in the try should be dry. You may find some useful info in this video. ua-cam.com/video/E9xlu-nykJc/v-deo.html
@@SlicePrintRoleplay i see! Thanks for answering. Dosnt scratch the rubber scraper the vat? And what about these cotton wool makeup pads? They are soft like hell. Wouldnt they work to collect/wipe the resin from the vat?
@@gaboaaa23 in my experience rubber kitchen scrapers are soft enough that they don't scratch the FEP. I've actually tested out using cotton makeup pads. They do work well and it's nice that you don't have to cut them like the microfiber cloths. However, they are a little less absorbent than the pieces of microfiber cloth. So in the end I think they're pretty comparable.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay ok so no scratches. I see, so they are identical. Good thing is my wife always has some in their closet. :))) My Printer is almost ready. Ive made a housing for it with ventilation to absorb the fumes. Bought uv lamp, paint mask , glowes everything..... But i didnt printed anything yet. Have the machine for 3 weeks now. Im so curious, but so unexperienced, i almost fear to print something. Calibrated it and put the newest firmware ect..... BUT! Im so unsecure...... Dont even know what model i should print first.
@@gaboaaa23 I can totally understand that feeling. I'm happy to help if you run into any issues. It's best to post questions in the Slice Print Roleplay Facebook group, message me though Facebook, or message me on Instagram if you need help. Best of luck!
I have heard of people using simple green as the wash for their models. However, I'm not sure that I've hard of anyone using it instead of IPA for cleanup. It's certainly worth testing if that's what you have on hand.
I'd have to say NEVER use paper towels on the FEP. I made that mistake the first time I cleaned it. Super gentle and cautious and the paper towels I have are plenty soft. The ugly truth is that wood fibers are quite abrasive on plastics and it left tons of micro scratches on the FEP which made printing on it thereafter near impossible. On top of the micro scratching I've read cleaning it with alcohol essentially does too good of a job and makes it extra sticky as well and with this I'm assuming soapy water rinses and no wiping, specially with paper products are likely key to preventing the super sticky FEP nightmare. Finally got new FEP's and installed one after months of not printing, trying to make sure I get all the info I need to make life a little easier on this go around lol... Funny how one shitty incident with paper towel as many have recommended can so quickly take interest away from an awesome machine lol.
Yep unfortunately paper towels are just not a good option. Perfectly fine for cleaning the vat itself, but never the FEP. Sorry to hear you had a bad initial experience, but I'm glad you're on the right track now!
Sadly I have already used paper and ipa twice. Thank you for this info, and thank you for the maker of the video, saves that precious ipa for the actual resin!
I cleaned bed with tv screen 1time use napkins.. was not enough so dipped them in iso and tried cleaning .. i guess that made clouding .... is it possible to restore it and what clouding does to your prints ? could not find info anywhere about it and shiuld i avoid iso ?
I thought about that, but decided to go with hey Matt I didn't have to dispose off after a spill. Glad those are working out for you. You are very welcome.
Thanks for the awesome video. Do you know if the non-foaming sprayway glass cleaner works as well? Also just fyi I didn’t see a link to the sprayway product in your description in case you want to add it.
You are very welcome! I am not sure how well the non-foaming spray works as I haven't tried it. However, I've started using 90% IPA in a spray bottle. It works just as well as the glass cleaner and it's currently much cheaper. I thought I had a link to it, but it seems I missed it. Thanks for the heads up!
@@therealjonaswp602 yep that's what I've found in my experience. In that comment I was saying that I've started using IPA in a spray bottle in place of the glass cleaner. I used the glass cleaner to clean the vat walls, tools, and work surfaces.
I personally just put them in my cure box or leave them out in the sun for a bit. Then I throw them away. I don't think it's worth trying to clean and reuse them.
@@triceratops2653 not really. It's like $7 or $8 for a large pack. Each cloth in that pack can be cut onto 10 - 15 smaller cloths. You also don't need to clean the vat like this unless you have a failure or you want to completely switch out to a new type of resin. So honestly one pack of micro fiber cloths should last you close to a year.
I apologize for that, but I didn't want to cover too much in one video. The method that I like to use forgetting cured bits of resin off the FEP is this, #1, Put gloves on. #2, Drain the vat. #3, (with gloves on) Press on up on the FEP from the opposite side of where the part is stuck. #4, Once one area of the part lifts, get your rubber kitchen scraper under it and it should come right off.
i watched this after cleaning out my vat and i realise i messed up, i think there was some resin left in the corners which i couldnt reach and when i cleared it i wiped resin all over the surface and i think it has since set, the whole thing is dotted and looks foggy, is this reperable with glass cleaner or do i need another sheet of FEP? also is any glass cleaner usable? had a look online and that brand is only avalible in America and its ammonia free, does that make a difference?
So I actually don't use glass cleaner on the microfiber cloths. Just 3 dry cloths are all I typically use. For cleaning the sides of the vat and my tools I've started using >90% IPA in a spray bottle. It seems to be just as effective as the glass cleaner.
I have a new Creality LD220H, I've got a print completley stuck on the build plate and I can't shift it! HELP!! I'm using eSUN 3D Printer ( Water Washable Resin) for LCD 3D Printers; and not having much luck with it. I'm tired and frustrated with the printer already - this was my second test print - the first printed ok but had some gaps bettween the layers. I don't want to give up but ..... I've tried shifting it with IPL but that hasn't even loosend the print.
No worries at all, I'm happy to help. So there are a couple of things to touch on here. 1st, getting the print off the build plate. One thing you can try is putting the whole build plate on a zip lock bag. Then put it in the freezer. Leave it in the freezer for 90 minutes then try to remove the part. Getting the build plate really cold like this should cause the metal to contract a little and that should hopefully break the bond between the part in the plate. 2nd, preventing such a strong bond on future prints. The reason the bottom layers are over exposed compared to your normal layers is because it causes the resin to expand and grip the build plate. Can you tell me what your bottom layer count and bottom layer exposure time settings are? I'd recommend using a bottom layer count of 4. I'd recommend starting with a bottom exposure time of 30s. You can adjust this time, but 30 seconds is a good starting point for most resins.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Thank you for your answer - I seem to be getting the hang of it now. Over time I have come to the conclusion that 3D printing is 98% magic and 2% holding your mouth a certain way!
Have you ever used any of the PTFE lube to coat the FEP. I have yet to print anything the normal way, so am wondering if this works. The only print that has worked since I got the Weisteck 5501 last week, was the test print that came on the USB drive. I have some beautiful copies of that. LIke about a dozen. Why does everything else fail. Half sticks to the FEP and the other to the build plate. I even had one that printed the support, but there was no figure inside it, just a puddle of cured resin. Poor Aloy, killed by 3d printing...
I have never felt the need for any PTFE on the FEP. There are a few different things that could be causing your issue. Would you send me a message on Facebook? I'll happily help you figure out what's going on.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay I am getting a replacement for my Weistek resin printer, that has caused me so much trouble. The problem was there was a blemish on the screen, that caused prints to stick, and then it just accelerated. I changed FEP and it did it again. That's when I noticed the scratches on the lcd screen, One I get my replacement I will try again, but make sure to check everything once, twice, three times a lady. Oops sorry, slipped back to so old music track stuck in my head, since the 80's. Anyway, I will let you know how that goes out. And thanks for the offer of help. I will contact you later if I have any issues.
@@Patrick_Cooper oh that's super frustrating! Yeah that's a tough, but important lesson to learn. Always check new equipment before use. Sadly it's not unusual to have defects out of the box... It's also Not unusual to be loved by anyone! 😊
I unfortunately don't have any experience with methanol hydrate so I can't give any input there. However, as I show in the video, I don't clean the FEP with IPA (or any other cleaner) very often. Only if I can't get it clean enough using the 3 dry microfiber cloth pieces. I'm so glad to hear that you found the video helpful! If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me on Facebook or Instagram. You can also just post questions in the Slice Print Roleplay Facebook group. 😊
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Got it. Thanks. Agree..only use IPA if needed per your video. I have use MH..for many years…to remove, tar, bird poo, etc from truck painted surface. Far better results compared to 99% IPA. Excellent results…evaporates…so no additional micro fibre polishing needed after removal. Micro fibre also scratches..on truck paint..only noticeable at a correct light angle. Different surface and properties…so probably different results. In any event…much appreciated.
@@benbear3963 oh that's really good to know! I've found the best time to test new cleaners on the FEP is just before you replace it So I'll definitely test out some MH next time I have to replace a FEP. Thanks for the info!
Hey there, I'm glad you enjoyed it! You are correct I clean the funnel with IPA after every use. I actually have moved away from using the glass cleaner. I simply use >90% IPA in a spray bottle for cleaning everything, but the FEP. I still only use dry microfiber cloths on the FEP. On very rare occasions I'll use a little IPA to clean the FEP if I'm changing to a different color. In that case I use 1 dry, 1 with IPA, and then 2-3 additional dry microfiber cloths.
@@Alex-CA no I don't use IPA on the FEP. As I show in the video, you can get it perfectly clean without any cleaning solution. If you absolutely need it then you can use some IPA but make sure to remove it and all of the broken down resin off your FEP. Otherwise you'll see clouding on your FEP.
Hallo my friend.I am using water based resin which is incredibly more easy to clean.My problem is with my LCD that water passed through it and I think it is foggy now.Is there any way to clean it or is it to risky?
If the LCD is cloudy it could be a thin layer of resin in the surface of the LCD. However, if there's water/resin inside the LCD your best option is to replace the LCD.
Sorry for the confusion, but I actually don't use any cleaner on the microfiber cloths. I use cleaner on everything else. So I use it when cleaning the sides of the vat and my tools. As for what cleaner to use. I've found that IPA works as good, if not slightly better than, the glass cleaner. Thanks for the great question!
@@rogg0224 Okay that's exactly why I was asking for a picture. I wanted to make sure you didn't print without removing that. Glad you caught it! 😊 No inconvenience at all I'm always happy to help!
Ah that is a tough situation. I've seen several different processes, but I haven't tested many of them myself yet. I've seen some really cool results when people Cure the area then cover it with tape and pull it up. Lots of times it pulls the resin up. If not, you can try covering the area with IPA and let it sit for a bit. Then try to carefully scrape it off using a playing card.
It won't hurt to clean the underside, but typically that only gets dirty when you touch it. You can certainly clean it again using this method. Or you can try using just a little IPA on one of those clothes. Then use two dry ones after to get all the IPA/resin mixture out. But a little bit of clouding isn't a big deal.
Only if you buy really small ones. The ones I have listed in the description are large enough to be cut into smaller squares. So each cloth can usually be cut into around 8 pieces.... You could certainly try to clean and reuse them, but I personally think that's more trouble than it's worth.
I stupidly cleaned the FEP with a paper towel and windex (which now has clouding) Will this affect the quality of my prints or should I look to replace it now?
It depends on how clouded it got. If it's bad then you'll notice your details aren't as sharp as before. But if you don't notice a difference then (obviously) you're fine
@@SlicePrintRoleplay I'm completely new to printing and I did this after my first failed print where it didn't even stick to the build plate. So I don't even know what a perfectly detailed print looks like. I just can't believe I messed up so soon where I have to spend more money already lol
@@tonyg5132 you can certainly get rid of the clouding if that's the only issue. Like I said in the video your best bet is to use 1-2 dry microfiber cloths, one with IPA, then 1 dry. Clouding is almost universally caused by a thin layer of resin being left on the FEP.
Hey Tyler just one question about this method. When I try to clean the fep with just microfiber square I find it to be very grippy and end up spraying a little IPA just to get things going. But would prefer to do it without IPA to avoid clouding, should I just be more confident? Worried about damaging the fep.
Okay sorry for the delay. So if you are concerned about the FEP being damaged you can certainly clean with IPA. However, remember that a lot of times clouding of the FEP is caused by the IPA thinning out the resin and making a very fine and semi opaque residue. So you have to make sure to get it all out. Here is the process I'd recommend. Cut 4 playing card size pieces of microfiber cloth. Use the first piece to get as much of the resin off the FEP as you can. Use the second piece with IPA to clean the FEP only. Use paper towels on the metal/plastic vat frame Use the third piece to clean all the IPA and resin off the FEP. Use the fourth piece to clean the FEP a final time to remove anything the third piece missed.
I put them out in the sun to cure any resin on them. After that, yes I throw them away. Some people have asked me about washing them, but I personally don't think it's worth the effort.
I don't think coffee filters would be a good option for filtering resin. However, I've tried using coffee filters to filter my IPA when it gets cloudy. It's slow, but it works.
I personally don't put anything on the FEP. Typically if you're having issues with the FEP pulling prints off the build plate there are a few things you can look into. Is the bed level? Have you tried a higher exposure? Are your supports strong enough? Is the FEP old or very cloudy? Is the model oriented to create the smallest amount of suction force on the FEP? All that being said, some people swear by PTFE dry lube on the FEP to help prints peel off with less force. I'm not saying you can't try it, just that I don't do it.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Thanks a bunch for your help!! I have relevelled the build plate (again😂), set a higher exposure time and slowed the lifting speed down a bit. Fingers crossed it works 🤞
No problem at all helping with issues like this is the reason I started this channel. Are these models pre-supported from the artist? Have you done any exposure tests for this printer/resin?
@@SlicePrintRoleplay cool. There's a dollar store right down the road from me that has a 2 pack for $1. When cut to playing card size I think I could get 8 to 10.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay i kinda figured after i seen newer video from you. thanks for reply tho! i ordered some ipa. Im getting my first Resin printer ever, elegoo Saturn 2 so im trying learn as much i can b4 it gets here. i own 4 fdm printers so im not totally new lol
I apologize for not including that. I'll make a video covering that soon. For now though, the method I use is (with gloves on) press on the back of the FEP on the opposite side of where the part is cured. Try to get one side to peel off and then try to get a rubber kitchen scraper under the part and pop it off.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay ah ok thank you I’m currently printing my very first print, rook file on the elegoo Saturn so just prepping just in case and found this video of what maybe to expect. Thanks for the speedy response still have about an 1hr30 mins left of printing
@@EeriExTooDifferenTx oh that's super exciting! Definitely let me know how your print turns out. And feel free to reach out to me on Facebook if you have questions going forward. Good luck!
I bought a second hand anycubic photon mono x with all the utencils (spatula, scrappers and funnels) and I for some brainfart idea I put those utencils in the dish washer (because I didn't know if the previous owner had nasty hands or something) but now everyone is telling me I contaminated my dishwasher and need to get a new one aswell as new cutlery and plates since that is contaminted after a wash in there aswell afterwards, even though the utencils were dry and had no visible uncured resin on them :(
That's outside of my knowledge and experience. Maybe call poison control and ask their input. But definitely moving forward be sure to keep resin (or anything that may have touched resin) out of the water supply. This is actually something that comes out often. That's because many people think water washable and eco resins are environmentally friendly so they wash them in their sinks. But you should never do that with any resin.
@@seitom8849 This is an amazing hobby, but it's a learning process. If you'd like to send me a message on Facebook I can help you work through the issues you're having.
Thanks so much for the positive feedback! A lot of people have been interested in cleaning and reusing their clothes so I have a pinned description about it. It should be at the top of the comments. Thanks for watching!
Thanks so much! I can definitely understand that and I generally try to be less wasteful as well. However, I think in this situation it's more trouble than it's worth.... But if you figure out an efficient way to do it definitely let me know!
Maybe use a 2 part alcohol bath to get rid of the resin, rinse the microfiber pad with water. The alcohol used for this can be left in a glass container to let the particulates cure and you can filter out the cured resin from the alcohol to reuse it.
@@neodark11 if that's something you're willing to do then absolutely go for it! It may save you money in the long run. In my opinion it's a bit more work than I'm willing to put into it because I have limited time for printing as it is.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Ok that's why on your web page there is a link to buy a spray bottle. I don't understand yesterday enevening, but this morning with your answer I understand 🤣
It's not a huge deal if you do it once or even a few times. It's an issue when you use something abrasive evey time you clean the FEP. You're probably fine to keep printing with no noticeable effects. 👍
@@SlicePrintRoleplay yeah I did notice a difference after lightly using the paper towel but it's not bad. Almost like very fine scratches under a certain light
These clothes are inexpensive enough (especially if you cut them up) that I don't bother trying to reuse them. However, I need to let them sit in the sun or in your curing chamber to cure the resin before throwing them out.
Hey there. So I have a Kit full of stuff I use and recommend for resin 3D printing. I have a reusable filter listed in that Kit. Let me know if you have any questions. kit.co/SPR/beginner-s-resin-3d-printing-kit
I don't. I cure them in my curing chamber or by leaving them in the sun for a bit. Then I threw them away. In my opinion I don't think it's worth trying to wash them.
That is a great question that a few people have had. You can put everything out in the sun for a few hours or put everything in your cure chamber for a bit. After that the resin will be cured and you can dispose of the cloths in the normal trash. It's very important that you always cure resin or anything that touched resin before disposing of it.
Hey there. The questions come up a few X so I've actually made pinned comment about it. Cleaning microfiber clothes: I've had a lot of people asking about this so I decided to pin a note about it. I don't clean and reuse my cloths because I feel that the time and materials required outweigh the benefits. As described in the video, I cut the larger cloth up into 6-8 pieces. Then if you use 3 to clean your vat you can usually keep the last (third) one and use it as the first cloth for your next cleaning. If you're following the process I show in this video then the first and second cloths will likely have too much resin to use them again. No matter what you decide to do, you always need to cure the resin on all of your cloths by putting them in the sun or in your cure chamber. If you want to try cleaning and reusing a cloth I'd use an IPA bath then washing it in warm soapy water.
Good thing I found this, after completely ravaging my FEP with toilet paper `:D
That's an interesting thought... I mean certain types of toilet paper might be soft enough... 😂
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Maybe if I would't use the cheap extra thin one :D I think I ll do as you suggested.
@@freezyAndHaze oh yeah that's not a great option unfortunately... Good news is that your FEP is probably still fine to use.
I decided to look this up and found this video after cleaning my FEP for the first time with a rough paper towel, it looked a little scratchy and I finished it with a micro fiber cloth. After seeing this I hope that after doing this just once everything will be mostly okay and I'll use the micro fiber cloth exclusively going forward. Thanks for the video!
@@OGPatriot03 it should still be mostly fine after only one cleaning with a paper towel.
Glad you enjoyed the video!
The glass cleaner is a life saver I was trying to clean the glass with iso thinking it would do the best job but a combination of the two worked way better!
I was a bit skeptical but I tried this and it really worked. I did use a small amount of IPA as the final stage, though, which combined with the microfiber cloth left the FEP almost as good as new. As an alternative to paper towels, I use (I don't know their technical term) glass paper towels, which is basically paper towels used by professional window cleaners, as it doesn't scratch or leave fiber residue (some products might be better than others, I'm sure.) It's what I have been using for months to clean the FEP and the LCD screen.
And if someone finds that the microfiber cloth leaves some bits here and there, a final warm bath with a some soap will clean whatever is still there, something which I do anyway as the final step because I suspect too much IPA can damage the FEP, or at least reduce it's effectiveness.
I'm glad your results lived up to my promise. 😊
I definitely encourage people to modify this process to find what works best for them.
I've never heard of the kind of paper towels you're describing, but it makes total sense. I'll definitely look into those!
I agree completely, I try to avoid using harsh cleaners on the FEP whenever possible. When I discovered that IPA really isn't needed, at least not every time you clean out the vat. I figured others might be interested in learning about that's as well.
Thanks for watching and thanks for the awesome feedback!
😮
This is the best video I've watched on this subject. Clear and helpful tips!
Thank you I really appreciate the feedback!
That's my goal with my videos.
I use a reusable coffee filter. One of those plastic ones with the mesh. Works awesome. Great video 🍻
Don't know why no one's ever suggested a silicone spatula! It makes perfect sense to use that in the vat instead of the plastic ones they come with. Not only do you avoid potentially puncturing the FEP sheet, but it also is easy to clean, since you can just cure it, break off the resin, then wipe the rest off!
Exactly! Also, you can use it to stir resin in the vat after it's been sitting for awhile. Plus (yep there's more) running it along the FEP after a print will allow you to feel any bits of cured resin stuck to it. It's just such a helpful tool!
This is why (although I do own a resin printer) I love FDM way better! Less clean up. But Resin DOES looks so much better.
I started with FDM. They both have pros and cons. What I love though is how each technology seems to fill in the gaps left by the other. They really make the perfect pair!
Got 2 resin printers coming in tomorrow amazing deal on Amazon saved almost $ 600 CA in total on elegoo saturn 2/anycubic photon mono x2 just subbed
I was looking for a helpful video on how to clean the tank of my elegoo mars pro and I found just that + a very pleasant voice to listen to. Thanks! 👍
Aww shucks, thanks so much! I'm glad you found the video helpful. 😊
This was extremely helpful! Thank you so much for this walkthrough!
You are very welcome! Thanks for the positive feedback I really appreciate it. 😊
Quick question about the microfiber:
Are you washing them out to reuse or are they for trash afterwards?
And if you wash them, how do you handle these cloths?
Hey there. Sorry I didn't cover that in the video.
Cleaning microfiber clothes:
I don't clean and reuse my cloths because I feel that the time and materials required outweigh the benefits.
As described in the video, I cut the larger cloth up into 6-8 pieces. Then if you use 3 to clean your vat you can usually keep the last (third) one and use it as the first cloth for your next cleaning.
If you're following the process I show in this video then the first and second cloths will likely have too much resin to use them again.
No matter what you decide to do, you always need to cure the resin on all of your cloths by putting them in the sun or in your cure chamber.
If you want to try cleaning and reusing a cloth I'd use an IPA bath then washing it in warm soapy water. I wouldn't put them in a washing machine.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Allright, thank you very much!
I actually thought about a washing machine for a second but surely it wouldn't be really healthy because of the resin. And i already ruined my first FEP because of paper towels but with this video I'm ready to try more resin printing with less loss. Thanks! :)
How do you clean the microfiber cloth? Or do you just throw those away?
Quick question. I see a lot of reviews online about some people are washing there water washable resin models in the sink. Surely this is wrong right? The resin still gonna harden somewhere in the drains. Am i right?
Yeah unfortunately that's been going around for a bit. The answer is no you should never wash any resin down the drain. That goes for any type of resin including water washable and plant-based bio-resin.
I really appreciate that you asked before doing it!
Going to try this now! Got a bunch of microfiber cloths that I bough at Costco many years ago and this might be a good use! So far, I've always used IPA for the last cleaning step but I didn't feel it was the best solution, so I'm curious about this method. Thanks!
Update: It worked pretty well although there is still some resin left where the FEP tucks under the vat. A big deal? Probably not, since I keep a lid on the vat, the UV cover on the printer, and the printer in an enclosure.
Awesome, I hope you find this method as effective as I do.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay The microfiber cloth is a need idea but my favorite change is the smell of the window cleaner compared to the IPA :) I was already using a silicone spatula because I was too cheap to waste all that sweet, sweet resin.
Epic stuff!!
Also, I managed to find out that the water washable resins Elegoo make are a bit easier to work with cleaning-wise. With my vat the last fail I had I was able to just drain the it and clean it with dish soap + water and remove the failure while I was at it, rinse thoroughly then pat dry with a soft towel and dry with a hairdryer on its lowest heat to reduce how much I have to touch the FEP film to clean it. Your method however will be how I handle cleaning with standard resins that aren't water washable.
Oh thanks for the input about Elegoo WW resin!
by rinsing thoroughly you don't mean having that water go down the drain right? water washable resin, just like normal resin, is very bad news if you put that down your drain!
@@minecraftmaster602 that is an important call out. It's something that a lot of resin manufacturers are mostly to blame for. From the description of the resin to the images used everything makes it seem like this is the "Safe" kind of resin. For a little while there a lot of Manufacturers actually had a photoshopped picture of a model being held by a sink implying that it was washed that way... So, yeah it's definitely something to raise awareness for.
@@minecraftmaster602 nope. Treat it like the regular alcohol washable resin and process your waste water, but you can use clean water as a rinse for your vat and parts that you make with the printer.
I really like the video, extremely helpful, I hope that the channel continues growing, the videos are excellents and very easy to understand, thank you
I really appreciate the feedback and encouragement, thank you! ❤️
what is the brand of FEP you use? the one I have is from a random brand from amazon and I did everything you said but it is not crystal clear yet.
@@shimamahtabian2179 I don't have a specific brand I use. However, I do use and recommend nFEP. It's possible what you have is TSP film or something similar. It's supposedly better for fast printing but it is more cloudy than FEP/nFEP.
I may have missed, but what is the best way to get the harded resin off of the FEP without causing damage? I currently have this issue and dont want to ruin my FEP
No you didn't miss it, I just didn't think to include it. But I really should have. 🤦♂️
Eventually I'll make time to create an updated video on this process and I'll explain my process for removing prints from the FEP.
In the meantime, I did create a short video showing how I do that. Let me know if you have any questions.
ua-cam.com/users/shorts5p9kvN96HYs?feature=share
@@SlicePrintRoleplay awesome thank you!
@@SlicePrintRoleplay one more quick question! Could I us a 70% alcohol wipe instead of the cloth? I don’t have those on me at the moment, I will get some. In the meantime would it be safe to use the wipes?
If not what alternatives can I use? Sorry for all the questions!
@@Mattyv7 you are very welcome!
Sorry I asked the question before reading the rest of the comments. Thanks for answering!
No problem. I know it can be a chore to read through the comments on UA-cam to see if your question has been answered so no worries there.
I'd just like to comment that in my experience, the cleaning solution (I use IPA) can dissolve the paint in the microfiber cloth, making it leave a bluish residue behind. I recommend getting uncolored clothes to solve the problem.
I've not experienced that yet, however I can definitely see how that would happen. I really appreciate the input and I'll definitely do get plan uncolored ones from now on!
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Sadly I found out by experience. Probably that window cleaner stuff you use to clean your vat is less aggressive than IPA though, but it never hurts to be too careful I guess.
@@torginus haha about that. I actually have started recommending people use IPA in a spray bottle instead of that glass cleaner.
It just works better a braking down liquid resin... But it's DEFINITELY important to remember that it will brake down a lot of other stuff too... Very helpful input thank you!
@@SlicePrintRoleplay On a note for the IPA you really need to wear a mask when doing that as the resin+IPA mixed together is REALLY REALLY BAD to breath in.
Hi Tyler. Great video! It helped me a lot. I just have one question though. What do you do with the microfiber cloths you used to clean the vat? Do you discard them or do you clean them?
Hey there Albert. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and that it helped you!
I don't clean and reuse my cloths because I feel that the time and materials required outweigh the benefits.
As described in the video, I cut the larger cloth up into 6-8 pieces. Then if you use 3 to clean your vat you can usually keep the last (third) one and use it as the first cloth for your next cleaning.
If you're following the process I show in this video then the first and second cloths will likely have too much resin to use them again.
No matter what you decide to do, you always need to cure the resin on all of your cloths by putting them in the sun or in your cure chamber.
If you want to try cleaning and reusing a cloth I'd use an IPA bath then washing it in warm soapy water.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Thanks
@@albertadams7907 you are very welcome.
great video but one thing im confused about, you can't clean the glass with the paper towel and glass cleaner? I see you only clean the glass with the cloth but not the paper towerl with the glass cleaner. Can you explain why that is? thanks!
That's a great question. So the FEP is actually made of thin clear plastic and not glass.
The reason I don't recommend using paper towels on the FEP is because they are rough enough to scratch it. Those scratches can build up and obscure the UV light. This means you'll lose some detail in your prints.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay thanks for getting back to me, so just a wipe with the micro cloth and toss it away is good enough for the FEB? Or should i add the glass cleaner to the cloth first and wipe it? Thanks for this video!
@@ksockhak sorry for the late response, I never got a notification for this comment. 🤦♂️
Yep like I show in the video, I typically just use 3 dry microfiber cloths. If you want to use IPA then I'd recommend using 2 dry cloths then 1 with IPA, then 2 more dry ones to ensure all the IPA/resin has been cleaned out of the FEP.
Just make sure to put any paper towels or microfiber cloths, with resin on them, out in the sun or in your cure station for a bit before putting them in the trash.
Thank you so much for this information. One question though. Do you throw out the microfiber cloth squares after you clean the vat? Can you run them through the wash and reuse them? Thank you in advance.
You are very welcome!
I don't personally reuse them. I don't clean my vat often enough for that to be necessary. If you try it let me know how it goes... But if you dispose of them be sure to cure them first. Either leave them out in the sun or run them through your curing station.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay How often do you clean your vat? I thought you needed to clean it out if you aren't gonna use it again within 48 hours (that's what the manual of my Elegoo Mars 3 Pro says).
***Cleaning Microfiber Cloths***
***Cleaning the FEP with IPA***
***Removing cured resin from the FEP***
Cleaning microfiber clothes:
I've had a lot of people asking about this so I decided to pin a note about it.
I don't clean and reuse my cloths because I feel that the time and materials required outweigh the benefits.
As described in the video, I cut the larger cloth up into 6-8 pieces. Then if you use 3 to clean your vat you can usually keep the last (third) one and use it as the first cloth for your next cleaning.
If you're following the process I show in this video then the first and second cloths will likely have too much resin to use them again.
No matter what you decide to do, you always need to cure the resin on all of your cloths by putting them in the sun or in your cure chamber.
If you want to try cleaning and reusing a cloth I'd use an IPA bath then washing it in warm soapy water.
Cleaning the FEP with IPA:
If you are concerned about the FEP being damaged you can certainly clean with IPA.
However, remember that a lot of times clouding of the FEP is caused by the IPA thinning out the resin and making a very fine and semi opaque residue. So you have to make sure to get it all out.
Here is the process I'd recommend.
Cut 4 playing card size pieces of microfiber cloth.
Use the first piece to get as much of the resin off the FEP as you can.
Use the second piece with IPA to clean the FEP only. Use paper towels on the metal/plastic vat frame
Use the third piece to clean all the IPA and resin off the FEP.
Use the fourth piece to clean the FEP a final time to remove anything the third piece missed.
Here's a video showing how I remove cured bits of resin from the FEP.
ua-cam.com/users/shorts5p9kvN96HYs?feature=share
Thanks for all the great feedback everyone!
Came here to ask this :-)
Thank you.
@@HarleyAssi You are very welcome.
Great video! I see from the comment thread you have switch to IPA from the glass cleaner... what about if I am using water washable resin? Is it still recommended to use IPA for the wipe down? Curious how the process might differ depending on the resin used.
Thanks for the positive feedback!
So I don't charge my cleaning process for different resins. Doesn't matter if it's Eco, Water Washable, etc. They are all still resin so I treat them all the same.
Do you do this after EVERY print? Or only failures? Can I leave the resin in the car until my next print? Do I have wipe down the plate every time ? I’m so lost lol
Okay so in order,
First, it's only required after failure.
Second, the car? I wouldn't recommend it. In the vat of the printer? That's fine but keep the hood/lid on to keep the resin safe from sunlight.
Third, no need to wipe down the build plate. However, check it to make sure you've gotten all the semi cured resin off of it.
Hope that helps. 😊
does it have to be sprayway glass cleaner? looking for something I can buy locally (and hopefully cheaper :) great video thanks
No it doesn't. IPA (80% or higher) will do fine.
I am finding the microfiber cloths are causing static and attracting fuzz, fibers, and the like on the FEP. Are these a cause for worry? Is there something I could perhaps be doing differently? Thanks for the video
Haha yeah that does tend to happen. As long as it's not a crazy amount of debris (or anything hard) then it's not a big deal. I do occasionally find a cat hair in my finish models, but that's hard to avoid sometimes. 😂
I saw from Uncle Jessy that he tried Denatured Alcohol and with IPA shortages all over the world, I gave Denatured a shot...WOW! It cleans resin like champ. Anyone else have experience with Denatured Alcohol any thoughts?
I personally think denatured alcohol is a much better alternative to IPA.
What do you do with the piece of cloth are they good for 2-3 print clean or you throw them after every use therefor why you cut them in small pieces?
Yep I cut them up to have multiple 1 use pieces. I don't think it's worth the effort to save/reuse them. Just put them out in the sun for a few hours and then throw them out.
Question: are you using the glass cleaner on the FEP? In the video I'm only seeing it used on the non-fep parts of the vat, and the tools.
Nope I don't use anything on the FEP. In my experience dry microfiber cloths are usually enough to get the FEP clean. If you can't get it clean with dry cloths then I you can use a small amount it IPA.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay thanks for the reply!
@@TheTonyRichmond you are very welcome!
I assume the micro fibre towels are thrown away after a single use?
@@ollyk22 for smaller printers I use 3 pieces of cloth. I do throw away the first 2 but the third is usually clean enough to keep for the next cleaning. I don't clean them but a lot of people ask about that. I suppose you could but the effort isn't worth it to me.
Thanks! New to printing myself so learning!
@@ollyk22 you are very welcome.
You said you were testing resistable filters for resin, got any results from those tests?
I do yes. The ones I've tested so far work just as well as the paint strainers.
I believe if I link to Amazon here it will get flagged. If you'd like to send me a message on Facebook I'll gladly send you a link to the ones I got.
Thanks for the info. Just what I was looking for as a newb.
I'm really glad to hear that!
Also just as a heads up, I've tested it and can confirm that IPA (80% or above) in a spray bottle is a better option over the glass cleaner.
Do you throw away the filter after every use? For the micro fiber cloths, do you cure them and wash them or toss them or... ?
I personally cure the filters and clothes in the sun and then throw them out. In my opinion I don't believe it's worth it to reuse any of them.. However, there are reusable filters you can get. I'm testing some currently.
Thanks for the tutorial. I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on a printer soon.
Do you have to clean the cat after every print job or only after a failed print?
Only after a failed print. The concern is there may be bits of cured resin in the vat and the build plate will smash them into the LCD.
Ugh bro I needed u like one day earlier! Uve been so much help. Sadly I used paper towel on my FEP and it def freaking shows. I really hate how this information isn’t more available cause I really had no idea. 😣 well I did start another print and I think it’s working ok even tho my VAT def looked cloudy from the paper towel. Off to buy microfiber clothes tomorrow. 😖 😂
Man I can’t thank you enough bro. I even laid my vat down to clean it which was stupid. Also with ur microfiber can u cute and then wash em or do u toss em after?
The good news is that it shouldn't effect print quality unless you scrubbed the hell out of your vat with it. Using paper towels once or twice shouldn't cause too much damage. At least not usually enough to loose detail in your prints. However, using them consistently will definitely cause issues.
If you don't see any noticeable print quality issues then the FEP is probably fine.
I personally don't think it's worth cleaning the microfiber cloths. After you use them though just be sure to put them out in the sun for a bit. This will cure any resin on them and make it safe to throw them away.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay good info as always man! Yea I started a Zelda print last night and got Libks shield done and it looks 👌🏻 👩🍳 💋 I’ll just be careful from here out. You’ve even in just 3-4 videos taught me so much man haha
@@BeardBitGamingChannel oh that sounds awesome! I'm a huge Legend of Zelda fan!
So glad to hear that my videos have helped you!
@@SlicePrintRoleplay 100% you got my sub and I look forward to more content. I know u mentioned doing a support videos down the road but how about priming and preparing figures for paint? I also sent u a tip cause I really appreciate ur rapid responses
A very informative video also different from what I'm expected almost everyone else says to clean out the vat after every print can you also link the microfiber cloth you use
Glad you found the video informative!
Thanks for the positive feedback it's always appreciated!
I believe the microfiber cloths I used in the video I just got from Walmart. However, I do have some really inexpensive ones linked in the video description.
Several comments & questions after viewing your video & reading ALL the comments & questions- 1st of all I Luv the fact that you answered ALL the questions asked in the comment section ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
I just did my 1st test print with new MONO SE 46.5 hours ago when I realized [O Shit] I forgot to empty out the resin left in tank🤦🏻♂️,
I read somewhere that 2 days was ok? Is that correct? So before I went charging into my shop I took a breath & viewed a few UA-cam videos & yours was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My test print was a success (so no failed print). So I’m hoping that my 1st clean is a smooth clean😬 So if U could please give me guidance on the best time to empty a vat after a GOOD PRINT-I’d appreciate it! I get that with my 1st FAILED PRINT to do it right away!! Thanks again for your EXCELLENT video & your EXCELLENT & RESPECTFUL treatment of your viewers🤩it’s refreshing to see- New Subscriber here Sir😁
☯️ZenModeling☯️
Thank so much for the positive feedback and encouragement! It means a lot! ❤️
I'm always so glad to hear that others enjoyed my videos and found them helpful!
As for cleaning out the vat. Inspect the model carefully to see if it has any failures. Things like, missing parts, parts that broke away from supports, etc.
If you see any obvious failures before removing it from the plate or after cleaning then I'd recommend cleaning the vat.
However, if you don't see any failures then you shouldn't need to clean your vat.
Just to be safe, I always stir the resin around in the vat using a rubber kitchen Scraper.
If you go slow and you run it along the bottom of the vat you can usually feel if there's any hard bits.
If you have any other questions just let me know.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay What’s the longest you’ve left resin in the Vat without doing a print? Thanks for your answers☯️🙏☯️
@@Zen_Modeling oh... 😅... About 6 weeks. 🤦♂️... I just stirred it up very well before printing (with a rubber kitchen scraper) and it printed just fine.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay 🤯WHOA that’s fantastic!! Appreciate the tips🙏☯️🙏
Lee
@@Zen_Modeling just make sure to keep the hood/cover on it. You can also print a cover to go over the vat itself. That just gives some extra piece of mind.
This was a very educational video I really enjoyed it. Thumbs up and you just got another Sub. : )
Thanks for the support and awesome feedback!
Question how would I clean my mono screen would you know by any chance ? It’s just cloudy
Are you talking about the FEP meaning the plastic at the bottom of the vat like in this video? Or the LCD screen on the printer itself?
Honestly both how would you be able to clean both ? Not 100% sure and I don’t wanna mess up my LCD screen on the printer.
What do you do with the dirty cloths and paper towels after cleaning? Do you just throw them into the bin?
Yes, but leave them in the sun for a few hours first. Or put them in your curing chamber for a bit before throwing them out. Only cured resin is considered safe to dispose of in the normal trash.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Yeah, I thought so. Thanks for the reply.
@@Oozaru85 you are very welcome.
Just had a huge accident this morning that made a huge mess, so I figured I needed to watch this.
@@coyoteclockworkstudios3140 ugh I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you got it all sorted out.
How often do you have to clean all of that? do you do it after every print? do you need to remove the resin whenever you don't use the printer or can you let it sit inside? Also what did you use to scrape the cured resin without damaging the fep?
All good questions.
#1, clean the vat like this after evey failed print. You want to make sure you're not leaving cured bits of resin in the vat after a failure because those bits can damage the LCD during the next print.
#2, it's not necessary to do this after every print. I recommend doing after any print failure though.
#3, I've let resin set in the vat for weeks with it causing an issue. However, you need to make sure the lid/hood stays on to stop sunlight from curing the resin. You also need to stir up the resin before printing with it.
#4, I use a rubber kitchen scraper to safely remove cured resin from the FEP. Here's a video showing how I do that.
ua-cam.com/users/shorts5p9kvN96HYs?feature=share
Thanks for asking this great questions!
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Thanks to you for answering them ^^ I'm just starting with sla so i'm still trying to figures everything out. my first print was a success however there was cured resin stuck to the fep for some reason so for now i think i'll clean everything and filter the resin after every print just in case there's piece of cured resin floating around that could damage the fep or the screen. Might be overkill but hey if it doesn't do any good it won't do any harm either.
@@mandrac2 you are so very welcome! I'm always happy to help so definitely reach out to me on Facebook or Instagram if you have any questions.
That's definitely not a bad idea decision. I cleaned out the vat for my first 50 prints for the exact some reason as you. Once you understand how to this all works your confidence will increase. 😊
@@SlicePrintRoleplay will do :P
Could I use tissues instead of microfiber cloth or would that be too abrasive for the FEP?
I'm no expert, but I'd imagine that tissues would only be a little less abrasive than paper towels.
If you are looking for an alternative to micro fiber cloths, you can use cotton makeup remover pads. They are a great option, but be careful because if you rube them too hard they will brake apart and you'll get cotton fibers in your vat... It's not the end of the world when it happens though, just a little extra cleaning.
When you finish printing do you need to put resin to the 1/3 a another time ? And how much time can I let the resin in the printer do I have to clean it right after if I don't print anything or can I let it there to wait for a another print ? Thank you
No problem.
If it's a large print like 80mm by 80mm then you probably want to top the vat (tub that holds the resin) off, but if it's a smaller print you don't have to worry about more than having the vat 1/2 full.
With the hood/lid on you can let the resin sit in the vat for a few days without any issues.
However, make sure you stir the resin up really good before you go to use it again.
Use a rubber kitchen scraper.
Lastly, if you have a failure (a support or part of the model didn't print correctly) I'd recommend draining the vat and checking for any small bits of cured resin so it's totally clean before you start again.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask here or find be on Facebook.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay big thanks man
@@Bil-cn7tq happy to help.
Hey i have small bent in my vat, is that a deal breaker. Does that mean i have to get a new one. My failed print was really stuck. What source do i trust to buy a new screen if i must. I tried to removed the failed print again after emptying the vat.
Is Windex a no no? I just see you say glass cleaner and thats what we have at the house. Or would it be better to just put some 99% IPA in a new spray bottle?
If you're talking about the FEP, some people actually say Windex/Rainex is great and it helps prints release from the FEP better. I haven't tested it however.
The cleaning method in this video explains how to clean the FEP without a cleaning solution.
However, sometimes it can be needed. The main benefit of IPA is that it will break down the resin. Just make sure you use 2 dry cloths after you wipe the FEP with IPA, Windex, etc.
Most of the time clouding is caused by a very thin layer of resin being left on the FEP after cleaning.
However, if you're talking about Windex for general cleaning of your tools/work area then I'd use IPA in a spay bottle.
I don't believe Windex will dissolve/clean away the liquid resin nearly as effectively as IPA.
hi, can you tell me please, how should i recycle the water that is contaminated with the washable resin after i cleaned my printed object in it? I mean where or how should i dispose the water?
Thanks
Good on you for asking how to do this responsibly! 💚
The best way to do it is to line a large disposable aluminum tray with paper towels or newspaper. Then pour the liquid into the tray. Then put the tray out in the sun.
Since it's water filled with resin and not IPA, you also will want to keep animals from getting in it. Animals are less likely to know the liquid is harmful when it's water with resin in it and not IPA. Mostly because IPA has such a strong smell.
Most disposable aluminum trays will come with a lid. Just put a bunch 1/4 inches holes in the lid to let light in and to let the evaporated liquid out. That should deter animals from getting in it.
After a few days the liquid should have all evaporated, the resin should be cured, and the paper in the try should be dry.
You may find some useful info in this video.
ua-cam.com/video/E9xlu-nykJc/v-deo.html
@@SlicePrintRoleplay i see! Thanks for answering. Dosnt scratch the rubber scraper the vat?
And what about these cotton wool makeup pads? They are soft like hell. Wouldnt they work to collect/wipe the resin from the vat?
@@gaboaaa23 in my experience rubber kitchen scrapers are soft enough that they don't scratch the FEP.
I've actually tested out using cotton makeup pads. They do work well and it's nice that you don't have to cut them like the microfiber cloths. However, they are a little less absorbent than the pieces of microfiber cloth. So in the end I think they're pretty comparable.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay ok so no scratches.
I see, so they are identical. Good thing is my wife always has some in their closet. :)))
My Printer is almost ready. Ive made a housing for it with ventilation to absorb the fumes. Bought uv lamp, paint mask , glowes everything.....
But i didnt printed anything yet. Have the machine for 3 weeks now. Im so curious, but so unexperienced, i almost fear to print something.
Calibrated it and put the newest firmware ect.....
BUT! Im so unsecure......
Dont even know what model i should print first.
@@gaboaaa23 I can totally understand that feeling. I'm happy to help if you run into any issues. It's best to post questions in the Slice Print Roleplay Facebook group, message me though Facebook, or message me on Instagram if you need help.
Best of luck!
Can you use Simple Green for this cleanup?
I have heard of people using simple green as the wash for their models. However, I'm not sure that I've hard of anyone using it instead of IPA for cleanup.
It's certainly worth testing if that's what you have on hand.
I'd have to say NEVER use paper towels on the FEP. I made that mistake the first time I cleaned it. Super gentle and cautious and the paper towels I have are plenty soft. The ugly truth is that wood fibers are quite abrasive on plastics and it left tons of micro scratches on the FEP which made printing on it thereafter near impossible. On top of the micro scratching I've read cleaning it with alcohol essentially does too good of a job and makes it extra sticky as well and with this I'm assuming soapy water rinses and no wiping, specially with paper products are likely key to preventing the super sticky FEP nightmare. Finally got new FEP's and installed one after months of not printing, trying to make sure I get all the info I need to make life a little easier on this go around lol... Funny how one shitty incident with paper towel as many have recommended can so quickly take interest away from an awesome machine lol.
Yep unfortunately paper towels are just not a good option. Perfectly fine for cleaning the vat itself, but never the FEP.
Sorry to hear you had a bad initial experience, but I'm glad you're on the right track now!
Sadly I have already used paper and ipa twice. Thank you for this info, and thank you for the maker of the video, saves that precious ipa for the actual resin!
Is there a way to fix the release film and remove the cloudiness from
I cleaned bed with tv screen 1time use napkins.. was not enough so dipped them in iso and tried cleaning .. i guess that made clouding .... is it possible to restore it and what clouding does to your prints ? could not find info anywhere about it and shiuld i avoid iso ?
LOL I USe Puppy Pads.. so easy . THank you for the tips !!!
I thought about that, but decided to go with hey Matt I didn't have to dispose off after a spill. Glad those are working out for you.
You are very welcome.
Would be nice if you showed how you got the cured piece off the FEP
Yeah that was an overnight on my part. But I have a pinned comment with my tutorial for removing failed prints off the FEP.
Thanks for the awesome video. Do you know if the non-foaming sprayway glass cleaner works as well?
Also just fyi I didn’t see a link to the sprayway product in your description in case you want to add it.
You are very welcome!
I am not sure how well the non-foaming spray works as I haven't tried it. However, I've started using 90% IPA in a spray bottle. It works just as well as the glass cleaner and it's currently much cheaper.
I thought I had a link to it, but it seems I missed it. Thanks for the heads up!
@@SlicePrintRoleplay I thought that the IPA would clouden the FEP? :)
@@therealjonaswp602 yep that's what I've found in my experience. In that comment I was saying that I've started using IPA in a spray bottle in place of the glass cleaner. I used the glass cleaner to clean the vat walls, tools, and work surfaces.
What do you do with the microfiber cloth once it’s dirty?
I personally just put them in my cure box or leave them out in the sun for a bit. Then I throw them away. I don't think it's worth trying to clean and reuse them.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay doesn’t that cost add up?
@@triceratops2653 not really. It's like $7 or $8 for a large pack. Each cloth in that pack can be cut onto 10 - 15 smaller cloths.
You also don't need to clean the vat like this unless you have a failure or you want to completely switch out to a new type of resin.
So honestly one pack of micro fiber cloths should last you close to a year.
I needed this. Thank you!
Really glad to hear it helped you out! 💚
How did you get the cured resin off? What's the best method to achieve this? The video skipped over that part unfortunately.
I apologize for that, but I didn't want to cover too much in one video.
The method that I like to use forgetting cured bits of resin off the FEP is this,
#1, Put gloves on.
#2, Drain the vat.
#3, (with gloves on) Press on up on the FEP from the opposite side of where the part is stuck.
#4, Once one area of the part lifts, get your rubber kitchen scraper under it and it should come right off.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Thank you. Keep up the good work!
@@cerrato169 thanks for the encouragement! I'll definitely make a separate video explaining a few different ways to get cured resin off the FEP.
i watched this after cleaning out my vat and i realise i messed up, i think there was some resin left in the corners which i couldnt reach and when i cleared it i wiped resin all over the surface and i think it has since set, the whole thing is dotted and looks foggy, is this reperable with glass cleaner or do i need another sheet of FEP?
also is any glass cleaner usable? had a look online and that brand is only avalible in America and its ammonia free, does that make a difference?
So I actually don't use glass cleaner on the microfiber cloths. Just 3 dry cloths are all I typically use.
For cleaning the sides of the vat and my tools I've started using >90% IPA in a spray bottle. It seems to be just as effective as the glass cleaner.
I have a new Creality LD220H, I've got a print completley stuck on the build plate and I can't shift it! HELP!! I'm using eSUN 3D Printer ( Water Washable Resin) for LCD 3D Printers; and not having much luck with it. I'm tired and frustrated with the printer already - this was my second test print - the first printed ok but had some gaps bettween the layers. I don't want to give up but ..... I've tried shifting it with IPL but that hasn't even loosend the print.
No worries at all, I'm happy to help.
So there are a couple of things to touch on here.
1st, getting the print off the build plate.
One thing you can try is putting the whole build plate on a zip lock bag. Then put it in the freezer. Leave it in the freezer for 90 minutes then try to remove the part.
Getting the build plate really cold like this should cause the metal to contract a little and that should hopefully break the bond between the part in the plate.
2nd, preventing such a strong bond on future prints.
The reason the bottom layers are over exposed compared to your normal layers is because it causes the resin to expand and grip the build plate.
Can you tell me what your bottom layer count and bottom layer exposure time settings are?
I'd recommend using a bottom layer count of 4.
I'd recommend starting with a bottom exposure time of 30s. You can adjust this time, but 30 seconds is a good starting point for most resins.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Thank you for your answer - I seem to be getting the hang of it now. Over time I have come to the conclusion that 3D printing is 98% magic and 2% holding your mouth a certain way!
Have you ever used any of the PTFE lube to coat the FEP. I have yet to print anything the normal way, so am wondering if this works. The only print that has worked since I got the Weisteck 5501 last week, was the test print that came on the USB drive. I have some beautiful copies of that. LIke about a dozen. Why does everything else fail. Half sticks to the FEP and the other to the build plate. I even had one that printed the support, but there was no figure inside it, just a puddle of cured resin. Poor Aloy, killed by 3d printing...
I have never felt the need for any PTFE on the FEP. There are a few different things that could be causing your issue. Would you send me a message on Facebook? I'll happily help you figure out what's going on.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay I am getting a replacement for my Weistek resin printer, that has caused me so much trouble. The problem was there was a blemish on the screen, that caused prints to stick, and then it just accelerated. I changed FEP and it did it again. That's when I noticed the scratches on the lcd screen, One I get my replacement I will try again, but make sure to check everything once, twice, three times a lady. Oops sorry, slipped back to so old music track stuck in my head, since the 80's.
Anyway, I will let you know how that goes out. And thanks for the offer of help. I will contact you later if I have any issues.
@@Patrick_Cooper oh that's super frustrating! Yeah that's a tough, but important lesson to learn. Always check new equipment before use. Sadly it's not unusual to have defects out of the box... It's also Not unusual to be loved by anyone! 😊
I know you can't link them, but can you say the name of the reusable filters?
No problem, I'll link them in the video description. 😊
You don’t mention what you do with the microfiber cloths after cleaning the vat. Can you reuse them or do they have to be thrown out?
It's a great question that I should have covered in the video. A few people have asked about that so I have a pinned comment with all that info.
Thanks so much for the tips!
You are very welcome!
Can I use Methyl Hydrate instead of IPA to clean feb? Love your video. New to hobby. Tks
I unfortunately don't have any experience with methanol hydrate so I can't give any input there.
However, as I show in the video, I don't clean the FEP with IPA (or any other cleaner) very often. Only if I can't get it clean enough using the 3 dry microfiber cloth pieces.
I'm so glad to hear that you found the video helpful! If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me on Facebook or Instagram. You can also just post questions in the Slice Print Roleplay Facebook group. 😊
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Got it. Thanks. Agree..only use IPA if needed per your video. I have use MH..for many years…to remove, tar, bird poo, etc from truck painted surface. Far better results compared to 99% IPA. Excellent results…evaporates…so no additional micro fibre polishing needed after removal. Micro fibre also scratches..on truck paint..only noticeable at a correct light angle. Different surface and properties…so probably different results. In any event…much appreciated.
@@benbear3963 oh that's really good to know! I've found the best time to test new cleaners on the FEP is just before you replace it
So I'll definitely test out some MH next time I have to replace a FEP.
Thanks for the info!
Hi! Great video. I imagine you clean the funnel with IPA? Concerning the glass cleaner, must it be amonia free?
Hey there, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
You are correct I clean the funnel with IPA after every use.
I actually have moved away from using the glass cleaner. I simply use >90% IPA in a spray bottle for cleaning everything, but the FEP. I still only use dry microfiber cloths on the FEP. On very rare occasions I'll use a little IPA to clean the FEP if I'm changing to a different color. In that case I use 1 dry, 1 with IPA, and then 2-3 additional dry microfiber cloths.
@@SlicePrintRoleplayis 99% not recommended to clean the FEP?
@@Alex-CA no I don't use IPA on the FEP. As I show in the video, you can get it perfectly clean without any cleaning solution. If you absolutely need it then you can use some IPA but make sure to remove it and all of the broken down resin off your FEP. Otherwise you'll see clouding on your FEP.
How do you remove cured resin out of the FEP?
@@nesnduma here's how I like to do it.
ua-cam.com/users/shorts5p9kvN96HYs?feature=share
@ what’s on the cloth?
@nesnduma I don't put any cleaner on the microfiber cloth.
Hallo my friend.I am using water based resin which is incredibly more easy to clean.My problem is with my LCD that water passed through it and I think it is foggy now.Is there any way to clean it or is it to risky?
If the LCD is cloudy it could be a thin layer of resin in the surface of the LCD. However, if there's water/resin inside the LCD your best option is to replace the LCD.
I’d like to try this method but that glass cleaner is unavailable in my country. Will any other ammonia-free cleaner work?
Sorry for the confusion, but I actually don't use any cleaner on the microfiber cloths. I use cleaner on everything else. So I use it when cleaning the sides of the vat and my tools.
As for what cleaner to use. I've found that IPA works as good, if not slightly better than, the glass cleaner.
Thanks for the great question!
About how clear must the resin vat be? There's a bit of dust and a sticker mark on mine.
Dust isn't a big concern. The sticker shouldn't be an issue, but I can't say for sure because I've never dealt with that. Can you send me a picture?
@@SlicePrintRoleplay ok, my bad. There was a protective film that i didn't pull off. No marks anymore. Thanks alot, but sorry for the inconvenience
@@rogg0224 Okay that's exactly why I was asking for a picture. I wanted to make sure you didn't print without removing that. Glad you caught it! 😊
No inconvenience at all I'm always happy to help!
How would you go about cleaning a cured spill off the actual screen????
Ah that is a tough situation. I've seen several different processes, but I haven't tested many of them myself yet.
I've seen some really cool results when people Cure the area then cover it with tape and pull it up. Lots of times it pulls the resin up. If not, you can try covering the area with IPA and let it sit for a bit. Then try to carefully scrape it off using a playing card.
I have cleaned my vat but looks like I still has a film on it. Should I try to clean it again? Also should I clean the bottom side of the vat?
It won't hurt to clean the underside, but typically that only gets dirty when you touch it.
You can certainly clean it again using this method.
Or you can try using just a little IPA on one of those clothes. Then use two dry ones after to get all the IPA/resin mixture out.
But a little bit of clouding isn't a big deal.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay
Thanks for the info.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay
Ok sounds good.
So you go through a microfiber clothe every time you clean the vat?
Only if you buy really small ones. The ones I have listed in the description are large enough to be cut into smaller squares. So each cloth can usually be cut into around 8 pieces.... You could certainly try to clean and reuse them, but I personally think that's more trouble than it's worth.
I stupidly cleaned the FEP with a paper towel and windex (which now has clouding) Will this affect the quality of my prints or should I look to replace it now?
It depends on how clouded it got. If it's bad then you'll notice your details aren't as sharp as before.
But if you don't notice a difference then (obviously) you're fine
@@SlicePrintRoleplay I'm completely new to printing and I did this after my first failed print where it didn't even stick to the build plate. So I don't even know what a perfectly detailed print looks like. I just can't believe I messed up so soon where I have to spend more money already lol
@@tonyg5132 you can certainly get rid of the clouding if that's the only issue.
Like I said in the video your best bet is to use 1-2 dry microfiber cloths, one with IPA, then 1 dry.
Clouding is almost universally caused by a thin layer of resin being left on the FEP.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay that's good to hear and I really hope that is the case. I will try that later, thanks man!
@@tonyg5132 you are very welcome!
Nice tutorial!! Thanks a lot!! :)
You are very welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful. 😊
Super good video, thank you!
Thank you!
Hey Tyler just one question about this method. When I try to clean the fep with just microfiber square I find it to be very grippy and end up spraying a little IPA just to get things going. But would prefer to do it without IPA to avoid clouding, should I just be more confident? Worried about damaging the fep.
Sorry I will respond to this shortly. 😁
Okay sorry for the delay. So if you are concerned about the FEP being damaged you can certainly clean with IPA.
However, remember that a lot of times clouding of the FEP is caused by the IPA thinning out the resin and making a very fine and semi opaque residue. So you have to make sure to get it all out.
Here is the process I'd recommend.
Cut 4 playing card size pieces of microfiber cloth.
Use the first piece to get as much of the resin off the FEP as you can.
Use the second piece with IPA to clean the FEP only. Use paper towels on the metal/plastic vat frame
Use the third piece to clean all the IPA and resin off the FEP.
Use the fourth piece to clean the FEP a final time to remove anything the third piece missed.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay nice thanks for taking the time to respond with such detail, cleared things up for me :)
@@MWSculpts happy to help!
I'll certainly make an updated video covering all the questions people have asked here.
Thanks for asking great questions!
@@SlicePrintRoleplay is the fep being spraye at all with the glass cleaner or only the plastic and metal parts ?
do you throw away the Cloths once used?
I put them out in the sun to cure any resin on them. After that, yes I throw them away. Some people have asked me about washing them, but I personally don't think it's worth the effort.
Would coffee filters work ?
I don't think coffee filters would be a good option for filtering resin.
However, I've tried using coffee filters to filter my IPA when it gets cloudy. It's slow, but it works.
Do you know of anything I can do or put on my Fep to make the resin stick to the build plate and not the fep??
I personally don't put anything on the FEP. Typically if you're having issues with the FEP pulling prints off the build plate there are a few things you can look into.
Is the bed level?
Have you tried a higher exposure?
Are your supports strong enough?
Is the FEP old or very cloudy?
Is the model oriented to create the smallest amount of suction force on the FEP?
All that being said, some people swear by PTFE dry lube on the FEP to help prints peel off with less force. I'm not saying you can't try it, just that I don't do it.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Thanks a bunch for your help!!
I have relevelled the build plate (again😂), set a higher exposure time and slowed the lifting speed down a bit.
Fingers crossed it works 🤞
No problem at all helping with issues like this is the reason I started this channel.
Are these models pre-supported from the artist?
Have you done any exposure tests for this printer/resin?
@@SlicePrintRoleplay This specific model was pre supported by the artist.
After some more readjustments to the settings, it seems to have worked! 😁👌
@@harryjackson2479 fantastic! 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Are these microfiber cloths one time use only?
Yeah I don't reuse them. Cure them in the sun or your curing station then throw them in the trash.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay cool. There's a dollar store right down the road from me that has a 2 pack for $1. When cut to playing card size I think I could get 8 to 10.
@@metalmattchew awesome!
Hello! Can I post your video to my resin 3D printer group?
You are welcome to yes and thank you for asking! Would you mind sending me an invite to your group? If it's private no worries. 😊
@@SlicePrintRoleplay facebook.com/groups/impressora3dresina
@@dragonballxpoficial awesome thank you!
You are so helpful thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
You are very welcome!
still recommend the glass cleaner here?
No, I actually recommend using 90% (or above) IPA in a spray bottle. It's cheaper and works slightly better over the glass cleaner.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay i kinda figured after i seen newer video from you. thanks for reply tho! i ordered some ipa. Im getting my first Resin printer ever, elegoo Saturn 2 so im trying learn as much i can b4 it gets here. i own 4 fdm printers so im not totally new lol
How did you remove that cured resin piece off?
You didn’t show that in your video
I apologize for not including that. I'll make a video covering that soon.
For now though, the method I use is (with gloves on) press on the back of the FEP on the opposite side of where the part is cured.
Try to get one side to peel off and then try to get a rubber kitchen scraper under the part and pop it off.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay ah ok thank you
I’m currently printing my very first print, rook file on the elegoo Saturn so just prepping just in case and found this video of what maybe to expect. Thanks for the speedy response still have about an 1hr30 mins left of printing
@@EeriExTooDifferenTx oh that's super exciting! Definitely let me know how your print turns out. And feel free to reach out to me on Facebook if you have questions going forward.
Good luck!
I bought a second hand anycubic photon mono x with all the utencils (spatula, scrappers and funnels) and I for some brainfart idea I put those utencils in the dish washer (because I didn't know if the previous owner had nasty hands or something) but now everyone is telling me I contaminated my dishwasher and need to get a new one aswell as new cutlery and plates since that is contaminted after a wash in there aswell afterwards, even though the utencils were dry and had no visible uncured resin on them :(
That's outside of my knowledge and experience. Maybe call poison control and ask their input.
But definitely moving forward be sure to keep resin (or anything that may have touched resin) out of the water supply.
This is actually something that comes out often. That's because many people think water washable and eco resins are environmentally friendly so they wash them in their sinks. But you should never do that with any resin.
How do you remove the resin from the tank, if it really, really hard sticks to it?
Oh actually very soon I'll be doing a video on that exact topic.
In the meantime, what printer are you using?
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Elegoo Saturn. Using is the wrong word...failing at using is the better one xD
@@seitom8849 This is an amazing hobby, but it's a learning process. If you'd like to send me a message on Facebook I can help you work through the issues you're having.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Will do, if I get it repaired, was send faulty. My first resin printer was not that much of a hassle...
Great video! Can you somehow wash and re-use the microfiber towels or is this a one and done situation?
Thanks so much for the positive feedback!
A lot of people have been interested in cleaning and reusing their clothes so I have a pinned description about it. It should be at the top of the comments.
Thanks for watching!
Well done mate. I was planning to do the same just wanted to see if there was a way of resusing the microfiber clothes. I dislike being wasteful.
Thanks so much!
I can definitely understand that and I generally try to be less wasteful as well. However, I think in this situation it's more trouble than it's worth.... But if you figure out an efficient way to do it definitely let me know!
Maybe use a 2 part alcohol bath to get rid of the resin, rinse the microfiber pad with water. The alcohol used for this can be left in a glass container to let the particulates cure and you can filter out the cured resin from the alcohol to reuse it.
@@neodark11 if that's something you're willing to do then absolutely go for it! It may save you money in the long run.
In my opinion it's a bit more work than I'm willing to put into it because I have limited time for printing as it is.
Perfect, I'm going to try your methode
@@Tibrus74 let me know how it goes for you. 😊
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Sure, I just have to buy the glass cleaner.
@@Tibrus74 honestly, I've been using IPA in the a spray bottle and getting the same (or slightly better) results.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Ok that's why on your web page there is a link to buy a spray bottle. I don't understand yesterday enevening, but this morning with your answer I understand 🤣
Sooo may have used paper towel on the FEP... How messed up is that? Lol
It's not a huge deal if you do it once or even a few times. It's an issue when you use something abrasive evey time you clean the FEP. You're probably fine to keep printing with no noticeable effects. 👍
@@SlicePrintRoleplay yeah I did notice a difference after lightly using the paper towel but it's not bad. Almost like very fine scratches under a certain light
Can anyone recommend a glass cleaner in the uk sprayway is really expensive
My apologies. I actually don't use glass cleaner anymore. I've found that >90% IPA in a spray bottle works just as well if not better.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay thanks for the quick reply this video was very helpful
@@ryankaye5539 you are very welcome. I'm glad the video was helpful for you. 😊
How do you wash the cloth?
These clothes are inexpensive enough (especially if you cut them up) that I don't bother trying to reuse them. However, I need to let them sit in the sun or in your curing chamber to cure the resin before throwing them out.
does anyone have a good solution for reusable strainers for resin?
Hey there. So I have a Kit full of stuff I use and recommend for resin 3D printing. I have a reusable filter listed in that Kit. Let me know if you have any questions.
kit.co/SPR/beginner-s-resin-3d-printing-kit
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Thanks! I will definitely be taking a look at those filters and funnels.
@@deepwebcowboy6681 you are very welcome.
ok, so how do ya clean the micro-fiber cloth, with no IPA?
I don't. I cure them in my curing chamber or by leaving them in the sun for a bit. Then I threw them away. In my opinion I don't think it's worth trying to wash them.
Do you wash the rags??
I've had a ton of people ask about that so I pinned a comment about that.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay thank you! I didn’t notice
@@jrambassn6758 no worries at all.
...but how do you dispose of all the contaminated wipes you produce doing this?
That is a great question that a few people have had. You can put everything out in the sun for a few hours or put everything in your cure chamber for a bit. After that the resin will be cured and you can dispose of the cloths in the normal trash.
It's very important that you always cure resin or anything that touched resin before disposing of it.
Thanks!
You are very welcome. Thanks for supporting the channel!
So are reusing your microfiber cloth pieces? Do you wash them somehow?
Hey there. The questions come up a few X so I've actually made pinned comment about it.
Cleaning microfiber clothes:
I've had a lot of people asking about this so I decided to pin a note about it.
I don't clean and reuse my cloths because I feel that the time and materials required outweigh the benefits.
As described in the video, I cut the larger cloth up into 6-8 pieces. Then if you use 3 to clean your vat you can usually keep the last (third) one and use it as the first cloth for your next cleaning.
If you're following the process I show in this video then the first and second cloths will likely have too much resin to use them again.
No matter what you decide to do, you always need to cure the resin on all of your cloths by putting them in the sun or in your cure chamber.
If you want to try cleaning and reusing a cloth I'd use an IPA bath then washing it in warm soapy water.
@@SlicePrintRoleplay Thank you very much for your answer :)
@@benediktschwalm7859 you are very welcome!