3D Printer Bed Cleaning: Magnetic, PEI, Glass, Spray, Tape

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Martin has a M.Sc. in physics and has gained many years of experience in industry as a lab manager and quality assurance manager. He has now tested dozens of 3D printers and is happy to share the collected experience with each new article.

Why Clean the Printing Bed?

If a printer is used frequently, deposits can form on the print bed. This is especially true if you heat it. If you set the temperature relatively high, the filament can stick to the surface.

This means that any residue remains even after the model has been removed. This can have a negative impact on adhesion and thus the results of future prints.

In some cases, it is even necessary to fix the model to the print bed with adhesive. This prevents the model from slipping during a long 3D print, but residual adhesive sticks to it after the process. Ideally, you should remove these as soon as possible.

For this reason, you should inspect the print bed after each activity of the device. If it is dirty, clean it immediately. This will also ensure that the printer remains functional and looks as good as new.

A dirty and scratched printing bed will give you poor results. (source: reddit)

Printing Bed Cleaning

You must be extremely careful when cleaning the print bed. Under no circumstances should you use too much force to remove the residue. You should also read the operating instructions for your 3D printer. There you will find a description of the behavior you should avoid when cleaning the print bed.

If you have decided on a particular method, first familiarize yourself with the instructions. Then proceed step by step. This applies especially if you are not yet too experienced with 3D printing and the associated cleaning of the print bed. In this way, you can prevent errors and the associated damage.

There are now several methods of cleaning the print bed. Which option you choose depends on the degree of contamination and the nature of the component. This chapter gives you an overview of the best cleaning methods.

Dishwashing Liquid and Water

If the print bed is only slightly dirty or dusty, you can clean it with a damp cloth and washing-up liquid. If you use a sponge for this, make sure that it does not rub too hard.

It is also important that the print bed is not hot during this process – otherwise individual parts could come off the sponge and stick to the bed. The formation of streaks must also be avoided – because this is also a contamination that negatively affects the adhesion of the model.

Glass Cleaner

This method is an excellent choice for a glass print bed. Simply apply the glass cleaner* and let it soak in. Then wipe over with a dry cloth. This method produces good results – because it not only removes grease stains but also adhesive residues.

Isopropanol

You can achieve good results when cleaning the print bed with isopropanol*. However, you must also make sure that the surface is cool. Keep in mind that the agent evaporates relatively quickly.

Therefore, after applying the same, use paper towels or a soft sponge. This will allow you to remove light residues in a short time.

However, only use a solution of 99 percent. Otherwise, it could also lead to the formation of streaks.

With isopropanol, you also get rid of the annoying adhesive tape residues!

Acetone and Brake Cleaner

Care should be taken with acetone* and brake cleaner*. They are not suitable for every type of print bed. To be on the safe side, only use them on products with a PEI coating. The agents cannot harm pei, if ypu don’t overuse them.

When it comes to cleaning the print bed, they also prove to be extremely effective. Even stubborn filament residues are loosened with them when cleaning the surface.

However, you should not clean PEI coatings with acetone every day – rather only once a week. Otherwise the PEI can become brittle. Sporadic use rejuvenates the coating and loosens even the toughest stains.

Avoid This During Cleaning

If you want to ensure that all filaments adhere well over the long term, you must not use abrasive agents. This will destroy the print bed of your device. You will leave scratches on it, which means that the filaments will no longer adhere to the surface.

For this reason, a sponge with a rough surface should also be avoided. This can also result in a scratched print bed.

You should also be careful when using acetone. It is unsuitable for a coated bed because it has too aggressive an effect.

After cleaning the print bed, do not forget to ventilate the room. This will ensure that toxic fumes escape from the room.

How Often Should I Clean the Printing Bed?

It is best to carry out basic cleaning of the print bed at regular intervals. This ensures that filament residues do not permanently adhere to it. You should also inspect the component carefully after every longer printing process. Look for any streaks, adhesive residue, and, of course, deposits.

Under no circumstances should you neglect to clean the print bed if it is visibly dirty. It is best to clean it as soon as you notice the contamination. This will keep the print bed clean in the long run.

If you have not used the 3D printer for a long time, it is also worth taking a look at the component. Dust can accumulate on it over time. This is not a gross impairment, but the particles can lead to poor adhesion of the model. In this case, it is usually sufficient to wipe the print bed with a damp cloth. If you perform a light cleaning at regular intervals, you can save yourself the use of more aggressive agents.

If you are still not sure how to proceed when cleaning the 3D printer, contact the manufacturer. They can give you tips so that you can avoid mistakes and – subsequently – damage.

Further Information

How to proceed in case of poor adhesion of the filament?

Sometimes it happens that the filament adheres insufficiently to the print bed. This can lead to a warped model and ultimately a failed print. First, you should take a look at the settings in the slicer software. Then, if the print bed is too cool or too hot for the filament in question, it may result in insufficient adhesion of the same.

Sometimes you can find tips on this topic online. For some materials, for example, it is worth printing the first layer slightly thicker than the subsequent layers. In this way, it serves as a stabilizer and counteracts deformation.

Of course, if the adhesion is poor, you also need to take a look at the print bed itself. It is possible that it is dirty. Grease stains or streaks can cause the filament to detach from the surface prematurely. The advantage here is that this problem can be easily remedied by cleaning the print bed.

How can maximum adhesion be achieved on the print bed?

There are several ways to ensure optimum adhesion to the print bed. For example, it is effective to simply increase the temperature of the print bed. However, you must not set this too high for PLA* – a value between 55 and 60°C is completely sufficient here. Otherwise, you will get the opposite effect.

Furthermore, you can bring the nozzle of the device closer to the print bed. To do this, either loosen its set screws or reduce the Z offset in the course of using the ABL sensor. In this case, too, make sure that the nozzle is not too close to the print bed.

With the latter component, it is also possible to achieve improved adhesion by increasing the temperature. This option proves particularly practical when the temperature of the print bed is already at its limit. But keep in mind that if the heat is too high, stringing will sometimes occur. This also negatively affects the result of the process. Under no circumstances should you exceed the maximum temperature of the filament – because this will inevitably lead to a clogged nozzle.

Last but not least, it is recommended to simply print more slowly. This is especially true for the first layer. By now, every slicer provides you with the option of an individualized speed setting for this. This gives it enough time to bond solidly with the print bed.

Where to find a high-quality 3D printer?

The print bed itself is not the only thing responsible for the result. In order for your model to look good, the printer must also do an accurate job. It should also be able to handle your filament. So think about which features are important to you in advance. This will help you narrow down your selection.

If you go for a more expensive model, you will usually be able to achieve good quality prints. These devices are also capable of processing a wide range of filaments. Furthermore, the expensive printers are easier to handle and are also the right choice for professional use. Of course, the disadvantage for you here is that you have to expect higher costs. So consider in advance whether this expense is worth it for you.

An inexpensive device does not necessarily have to be of poor quality. However, there are limitations here in terms of functions and the field of application. Therefore, take a close look at the product description of the device beforehand. This way you can make a well-thought-out decision.

Today, you can buy 3D printers easily online or at a specialist retailer near you. On the Internet, you have a larger selection of devices at your disposal, while you can get personal advice in a local store.

Conclusion – Increase Lifespan and Print Quality Through Correct Cleaning

The print bed is an essential component of the 3D printer. For this reason, you must strive to maintain its functionality in the best possible way. This includes the correct cleaning of the part. First, familiarize yourself with the properties of your printer and especially the print bed. If in doubt, take a look at the operating instructions.

If you want to be on the safe side in terms of cleaning, use washing-up liquid and water. You can also achieve nice results with a glass cleaner. It is best to use a sponge or paper towels to rub the liquids. Make sure that the cleaning cloth does not have any rough spots. This helps to prevent scratches. Under no circumstances should you use abrasive agents. This can also lead to irreparable scratches and bad print quality.

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