1 Topic by octopus (edited by octopus 2013-05-06 16:28:53)

  • octopus
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Topic: What is it about Kapton?

What is the secret to how the Kapton works?

Is the Kapton tape just some uniform compound, or is there something about how it is coated? A lot of folks seem to swear by it, yet I have never had any luck with it. Even using a heated bed, my prints just never stick to it.  Is it possible I have wiped any coating off it with a combination of spraying on hair gel, cleaning it with acetone and scraping it with a paint scraper?

What kind of care of the Kapton has worked best?  If I buy more Kapton will I likely have better luck? Does it need to have an adhesive backing or will it just "melt" to the heated bed?


EDIT:
There is Kapton tape and Kapton film. Kapton tape doesn't usually come in rolls wider than a few inches so it seems Kapton film would be the more logical choice. Presumably though, Kapton film doesn't have an adhesive backing. Or does it? How would I apply it to my work surface if it doesn't?

2 Reply by ronsii

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Re: What is it about Kapton?

All of the Kapton tape I have seen has adhesive on the reverse side. The only problems I have ever had with kapton are when it sticks too good... well except when I rip the kapton tape sad  I clean it with acetone and a new paper towel, usually clean it when it is warming up just before it gets too hot to scrub it with the towel+acetone wink !!! Be careful when doing this !!! as the temps are hot enough to make you remember not to do it again, use enough acetone so that you can see it on the bed.

3 Reply by iowajames

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Re: What is it about Kapton?

ronsii wrote:

All of the Kapton tape I have seen has adhesive on the reverse side. The only problems I have ever had with kapton are when it sticks too good... well except when I rip the kapton tape sad  I clean it with acetone and a new paper towel, usually clean it when it is warming up just before it gets too hot to scrub it with the towel+acetone wink !!! Be careful when doing this !!! as the temps are hot enough to make you remember not to do it again, use enough acetone so that you can see it on the bed.

Yup, same here. Or I clean the bed while it is hot & my paper towel combines with the melting abs remnants on the bed, making for a nasty mess.

Is your bed hot enough? I warmed mine to 100 C after it was clean & never had prints peel up, well, after I made an enclosure to keep the heat in anyway. Do you have an enclosure?

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