Post processing TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) filament can improve its overall appearance, durability, and functionality. Here are some post-processing techniques and suggested products that can help you enhance your TPU prints:
1. Trimming and Cutting: To remove excess material or support structures, consider using sharp precision cutting tools.
- X-ACTO #1 Precision Knife: This knife provides precision cutting and is suitable for trimming TPU prints with accuracy.
- Midwest Products Easy Cutter Ultimate: This tool is designed specifically for cutting various materials, including TPU filament. It provides clean cuts.
2. Sanding and Smoothing: Sanding can help smooth the surface of TPU prints and remove any imperfections.
- 3M Wetordry Sandpaper: This sandpaper is available in various grits, allowing you to gradually smooth the surface of your TPU prints.
- DuraSand Sanding Twigs: These sanding sticks are great for reaching tight corners and crevices, providing precise control during sanding.
3. Heat Treatment: TPU can be heat-treated to enhance its flexibility and eliminate any residual stresses.
- Wagner HT1000 Heat Gun: This heat gun offers adjustable temperature settings and airflow control, making it suitable for heat treating TPU prints.
4. Bonding and Sealing: If you need to bond or seal TPU parts together, consider using adhesives or sealants.
- 3M Scotch 847 Adhesive: This adhesive is designed for bonding elastomers, including TPU, providing strong and durable connections.
- Permatex 82194 Ultra Grey Gasket Maker: This silicone-based gasket maker can be used to seal gaps or create gaskets on TPU parts, ensuring a reliable seal.
5. Coloring and Dyeing: If you want to add color to your TPU prints, consider using TPU-specific dyes or pigments.
- Allumilite Dye: Alumilite offers a range of TPU-specific dyes that can be used to color TPU prints, allowing for customization and creativity.
6. Painting: Post processing TPU is greatly enhanced with painting, allowing for added protection and personalized colorful expression. When painting TPU it is essential to use paints that are compatible with flexible materials to ensure adhesion and durability. While painting TPU can be challenging due to its flexibility, there are some paints available that can work well, such as:
- DecoArt Americana Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Paint: This multi-surface acrylic paint is suitable for use on TPU and offers excellent adhesion. It provides a durable satin finish and is available in a wide range of colors. The paint is self-sealing, eliminating the need for a separate topcoat or sealer.
- Golden High Flow Acrylic Paint: Golden Artist Colors is a reputable American brand known for its high-quality art materials. Their High Flow Acrylic Paint is compatible with TPU and offers excellent adhesion and flexibility. This paint has a smooth, fluid consistency, making it easy to apply and blend.
- Liquitex Professional Soft Body Acrylic Paint: Liquitex is another well-known American brand that produces high-quality acrylic paints. Their Soft Body Acrylic Paint is compatible with TPU and provides good adhesion and flexibility. It has a creamy, smooth consistency that allows for easy application and blending.
- Testors Acrylic Paint Set: Testors is a trusted brand known for its hobby and model paints. Their Acrylic Paint Set includes a variety of colors suitable for TPU and other materials. The paints have good adhesion and durability and can be airbrushed or brush-applied.
7. Primer: Additionally, it is recommended to apply a primer specifically designed for flexible materials before painting TPU. Prior to primer application, cleaning the surface of the TPU print thoroughly to remove any oils or contaminants, in addition lightly sanding the surface can help improve the primers grip. Here are a few primer product suggestions:
- Rust-Oleum Automotive Adhesion Promoter: This adhesion promoter from Rust-Oleum is designed to improve the bond between the surface and the topcoat, making it suitable for TPU prints. It helps the paint adhere better to TPU and other challenging surfaces. Apply a light coat of the adhesion promoter and allow it to dry before applying the primer or paint.
- SEM 3 39863 Plastic Adhesion Promoter: SEM is a reputable brand known for its automotive refinishing products. It is specifically designed to improve adhesion on various plastics, including TPU. Apply a light coat of the adhesion promoter and allow it to dry before applying the primer or paint.
- Bulldog Adhesion Promoter: Bulldog is another trusted brand that offers adhesion promoters for difficult-to-paint surfaces. Their adhesion promoter is suitable for TPU and other plastics, providing a strong bond for paint. Apply a light coat of the adhesion promoter and allow it to dry before applying the primer or paint.
Remember to always follow safety precautions and instructions provided with each product and exercise caution when using tools or applying heat. Additionally, ensure proper ventilation and wear appropriate protection. By utilizing these post processing TPU techniques, you can achieve excellent results when working with TPU filament, enhancing the quality and aesthetics of your 3D prints. Lastly it is advisable to perform a test application on scrap material or to a small unnoticeable section of your 3D print to verify the desired effect will be achieved.
May your 3D journey be flexible!