1 Topic by KillerTigger

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Topic: Removing Buildtak from an Aluminum bed

I've have incredible results using Buildtak on my Flashforge Dreamer.
It took quite a bit of fine-turning to zero in other right z-offset (.15 for PLA, in my case) and temps, but once I figured out the best settings, it's performed extremely well.
The one problem I do have, however, is figuring out the best way to remove it from my aluminum bed.
There's tons of videos and tutorials available on the installation of Buildtak, but absolutely zero on the proper way to remove a used Buildtak sheet.
What works best _ heated bed, or room-temperature bed? If a heated bed is best, what exact temperature seems to give the cleanest removal? I've tried it both ways _ cold leaves a 'skin' of nasty adhesive on the bed that has be to rolled off like dead skin, while a hot bed results in the adhesive coming off in long strings.
I've e-mailed the manufacturer twice to ask this one simply question _ and received zero replies.
Anyone have any tips they would like to share?

2 Reply by AZERATE

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Re: Removing Buildtak from an Aluminum bed

I put BuildTak on glass over the aluminum bed. Once the print was done, I threw the glass (with BT and print) in the freezer for a few seconds. Once you hear the pop, you have a clean removal.

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3 Reply by carl_m1968 (edited by carl_m1968 2015-10-25 17:50:26)

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Re: Removing Buildtak from an Aluminum bed

AZERATE wrote:

I put BuildTak on glass over the aluminum bed. Once the print was done, I threw the glass (with BT and print) in the freezer for a few seconds. Once you hear the pop, you have a clean removal.

Thats great for removing the print, but how do you remove the buildtak from the glass once the buildtak get old?

Personally I get much better results with Elmers purple glue sticks and glass. This leaves the bottom with a very shiny finish which is nice if that is to be exposed.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
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4 Reply by AZERATE

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Re: Removing Buildtak from an Aluminum bed

Since glass is cheap, you can either throw it out, or, if it is strong enough, start at a corner with a razor scraper using a rocking motion until enough is removed to grab.

Printit Mason and Printit Horizon printers
Multiple SD2s- Bulldog XL, E3D v5/v6/Lite6, Volcano, Hobb Goblin, Titan, .9 motor, Lawsy carriages, direct Y drive, fishing line...the list goes on
Filawinder and Filastruder #1870.....worth every penny!

5 Reply by barry1685

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Re: Removing Buildtak from an Aluminum bed

You can probably use acetone but since buildtak is plastic it might melt it and make a mess. I would try goo gone and spray it around the build tak. Once you have a lip of it that you can pry up, spray more goo gone under it.