So I wanted to find a method of smoothing my 3d models without using acetone.
So, I did a little bit a research and I think I've found the perfect method
Stick around to see how you can smooth your 3d prints
Okay. So here we have the Darth Vader Melted Mask from one of my previous videos.
You can check that out from the link in the description below or from a little
I up in the top right hand corner.
What you'll notice is that the lines aren't very smooth at all and are very prominent
So what we will do is grab the little plastic container and our Z-Poxy PT 39
resin
Now I'm going to eye-ball it here and
we'll pour some into the plastic container
and as you can see there that's the clear resin
ready to go! Now the next step is we need to add the hardener
to complete the epoxy.
So once again I'm eye-balling it here and
there's the hardener.
Now I've sped up this footage but this is me mixing in the hardener and the resin together
so they react.
Now you can see that the mixture is very cloudy and it will eventually go clear
once it goes on to the model itself.
So what we'll do is we'll grab out trusty paintbrush
and start applying the Z-Poxy to our Darth Vader Melted Mask model.
Let's start the time-lapse footage!
Okay so while I'm applying the epoxy here I'll tell you a little bit about the product. So it's
from a company called Zap
and the exact name the product is the Z-Poxy
PT-39 and its
quoted as being a thirty minute solution.
So, to me though, I would definitely leave it for 12 hours because
I just don't see it setting any time sooner than that.
Now this is a good alternative to acetone smoothing as well as another
product out there called
XTC 3D from a company called Smooth-On.
I picked this particular one up off eBay and I paid about thirty one dollars
Australian
and you can find this overseas as well so if you're living in the US or Canada
you'll be able to purchase this product as well. I'll just pop a picture of the box up on
the screen so you can see it.
And there it is. This is the very first time I've used the product as well.
So what you're seeing here is my first attempt and I i think it really shows
for a beginner at least anyway, how a first attempt could actually turn out.
Now with a little bit more practice, I know I can get a better job of this in
the future, so
for everyone watching don't judge me on this. This is just my first time.
So after all that rambling let's have a look and see what the final product
actually looks like
after its been sitting for about 12 hours.
So, after all that awesome Time Lapse footage , here we go!
Now you'll see it's really nice and smooth and
all those ugly lines from before are all gone. Awesome!
Now this is was my first time using the Z-Poxy solution, so
I ran into a few issues and I thought I would discuss them in like a
top 10 countdown things not to do. So here we go!
Number Ten! Make sure you do this in a well-ventilated area because even though
it says that there is no odours,
it does get quite fumey, so
make sure you are definitely in a well-ventilated area. Number Nine!
Okay, so these two things here are you most important things, so
no matter what wear gloves.
This stuff is an epoxy so it's just like super glue.
and it will stick to your hands so, what ever you do, just make sure you wear gloves.
Number Eight! Make sure you have the right tools for the job so in this case make
sure you've got the right size brushes for the right size application.
In this example I would have used a finer brush for the more intricate
details inside the
model whereas on the outside I would have used probably a slightly bigger brush
Number Seven! Make sure you've got some Isopropyl
Alcohol handy for rinsing your brushes and the container as well.
Because it will stick to it and if you don't get rid of it
it'll just be a lumpy mess. Number Six!
If you don't want your 3d model to stick to your desk or table
after you apply the Z-Poxy solution I would make sure you put something underneath it
like
a placemat or some baking paper.
Number Five! Whatever you do don't pick up your model for at least I would say 12
hours
I did mine in the first hour or two and I did leave some finger prints on the
model itself
you can see a right here and even though it doesn't really distract from it much
I think that it looks a little bit unprofessional
Number Four! One of things that it does say on the Z-Poxy bottles
is to make sure you puncture the top of the bottle.
What I did instead is I chopped three millimeters off the top
and now I find the solution comes out a lot easier. Before it was like a really
really thick syrup
that was just so hard to squeeze out. Now, it just pours out!
Number Three! One of the other things that I should have done
is attach the model to some sort of stand.
with double-sided tape or blue TAC. Now the reason I should have done this
is because when you get to the edges
it gets really hard to apply it smoothly
and also if you put it on paper, that's what it looks like.
Number Two! Now this is definitely something to look out for.
Next time when I was doing something like this with all the intricate spaces
in here,
I would start here first instead of starting on the outside.
Reason being is that you can get into all the fine places without having to
worry about moving the model
too much and you can also tip it up on its side.
Hold it there. No problems whatsoever! You can see into the crevices a lot better
whereas if you do the outside first all this stuff in here is a lot harder to get to
which is what I found.
So starting here first, ending here.
Number One.So this is probably one of the most important tips that I've got
for you.
When you get to your 3d model, try not to lather it on
too thick. If you have a look around his mouth he looks like a drooling
Bulldog.
Now while that looks cool it's not the effect that I was going for this
model so
next time I would just put it on.... not thick
but not too thin either.
That's it for another episode of 3D Burn. I really hope you enjoyed it.
If you did, give me a big thumbs up and maybe even leave me a comment down below.
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Imagine, Learn, Create. Bye!