SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

null@example.com (LdyMox) — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 14:07:58 +0000

I'll have to try this freezer method soon

Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

null@example.com (DePartedPrinter) — Wed, 07 May 2014 20:56:24 +0000

ysb wrote:

you can also put your model in a congelator for around 15 minutes.. then put it in your jar with heated acetone. the vapor will condense immediately on the whole object for a more uniform Result. it's a good tip for taller object.

Congelator = Freezer in US

+1 on this. I have done it plenty of times with some rather impressive results.

Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

null@example.com (ysb) — Wed, 07 May 2014 17:55:18 +0000

you can also put your model in a Freezer for around 15 minutes.. then put it in your jar with heated acetone. the vapor will condense immediately on the whole object for a more uniform Result. it's a good tip for taller object.

edit : language correction

Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

null@example.com (LdyMox) — Tue, 06 May 2014 15:32:14 +0000

I need to try the smoothing again. I am wondering if the Acetone I was using was really watered down. I ordered some that was for automobilies so hopefully it's stronger then the nail polish type.

Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

null@example.com (fadilee) — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 03:34:13 +0000

Thank you. The Acetone I was using was really bad. I bought good Acetone from Home Depot and all is well now.

Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

null@example.com (ronsii) — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 20:25:15 +0000

Also put shorter standoff glass in there to lower the part more into the vapor zone.

Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

null@example.com (Brad) — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 19:02:55 +0000

It will be more effective if you can heat the acetone while its in the chamber.

Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

null@example.com (fadilee) — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 16:55:41 +0000

Thanks. It is ABS. So may be put more Acetone then? I will try that.

Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

null@example.com (muddtt) — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 08:58:27 +0000

is it PLA? it only works with ABS

Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

null@example.com (fadilee) — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 07:42:04 +0000

So today I decided to give the Acetone Vapour Bath a try and it did not work! What did I do wrong? (See the attachment for the set up.)

I increase the bed heat to 105C and I waited 45 minutes before I gave up because there was no gloss on the 3D printed part! Nothing happened and I don't know what I did wrong! Any suggestions, tips, ideas?

My set up is as follows:

-A glass jar that seals very well (purchased from Walmart).
-A hole in the middle of the seal with a Q-tip plugging it to prevent too much pressure from breaking the jar; I'd rather have the Qtip shoot out than a broken glass jar.
-A small glass acting as an island to place the part on it and separate the part from the liquid Acetone.
-Aluminum foil to place the part onto it so it wouldn't melt on the glass.
-The Acetone level was 1-2mm deep.

After a while condensed vapour formed on the bottom of the seal but the part did not turn glossy or anything. After 45 minutes I just gave up and turned the bed heat off.

Any idea what I can do to make it work?

Thanks.