Painting Clear PolyJet Parts: 3D Printing Hacks

Stratasys PolyJet 3D printing materials like Vero, VeroClear, VeroUltraClear, and Biocompatible dental materials are used to create realistic medical models and prototypes for training, educational, validation, and experimental purposes.   

In this 3D printing quick tip, learn a quick way to finish your clear PolyJet parts so they look extra glossy, clear, and shiny for presentation. Stratasys printers offer a “glossy mode” that will give a nice, polished surface to the upward facing surfaces.

But anywhere the support material contacts the part, it will leave a matte surface (or you can use “matte mode” to coat the entire part with support material for a uniform look.) Like frosted glass, this matte finish gives clear parts a cloudy look.

What are my options when this happens?

To restore the clarity of a clear PolyJet part, it’s necessary to have a smooth surface. One option that works really well is to sand and polish the part, wet-sanding through several grits of sandpaper, followed by a buffing wheel - but that can be tedious and time-consuming. 

Another option is to spray your part with clear spray paint. This is especially helpful if your part is complex, and the matte areas are in hard-to-reach spots. After several coats, the spray will have filled in all of the imperfections and surface irregularities, resulting in a clear and glossy part. 

Note: Don’t let that first coat fool you - it will look good to go when it’s still wet, but once it dries it will become obvious that more coats are necessary. In the video below, Michael Brenholt shares this technique in more detail.

We hope you found this quick tip helpful. Learn more about 3D printing with PolyJet below.

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