Shapeways FUD finish

[Cajonpassfan]

Today I received several prints from a vendor on Shapeways, and they look simply exquisite. It's been a while since I ordered from Shapeways, and had quality issues in the past, with "prints" requiring a lot of cleanup work after a Bestine bath, with less than totally satisfactory results.

Has there been a substantial improvement in the finish? I'm almost reluctant to dip these guys in Bestine, they look so good, but I also know it's hard to see all the sins on a translucent finish so I'm tempted to just wash them in a mild soap bath and hit them with a thin primer coat.... Will I regret it? Thoughts?
(Forgive me if this was covered before, but I ran a search and nothing popped up).
Sample below...
Otto K.

[Chris333]

You can set the print orientation now.

[peteski]

The Bestine bath will get rid of the nice translucent surfaces in any areas which were in contact with wax.

[BCR 570]

My last purchase was quite satisfactory - a pair of Budd RDC shells.  I showed them to Doug (BCR751) who had been through several iterations of hte shells and he thought they were quite good.  However, it is nothing compared to what is coming with this technology.

Tim

[Cajonpassfan]

The Bestine bath will get rid of the nice translucent surfaces in any areas which were in contact with wax.

Yea, I know, Bestine is the Best, and that's what I've done with my previous models. But, it also seems to me it triggers some sort of a chemical reaction that makes the 3D print more brittle and maybe never quite cures? Viz. the white crap sprouting up later. The object of my question is whether its use is necessary given the better, cleaner 3D prints, or is there a cleaner, safer alternative to prepping the models for a primer coat?
Otto K.

[Cajonpassfan]

You can set the print orientation now.

Yes, that's great, thanks, that would really help with the striations...
Otto

[peteski]

Yea, I know, Bestine is the Best, and that's what I've done with my previous models. But, it also seems to me it triggers some sort of a chemical reaction that makes the 3D print more brittle and maybe never quite cures? Viz. the white crap sprouting up later. The object of my question is whether its use is necessary given the better, cleaner 3D prints, or is there a cleaner, safer alternative to prepping the models for a primer coat?
Otto K.

Whatever you use as a solvent/rinse, when you get the part clean enough to accept paint, the surfaces which were in contact with wax will be opaque white and slightly fuzzy.  The coating you see on your parts (which also is not a good surface as a base for paint) is masking the fuzziness.

[Sokramiketes]

The surface is near perfect with the wax. But you can’t paint over it as it will eventually leech through the paint turning it hazy. If you can, use it as a master and cast perfect copies in resin.

If you can’t cast it, then yes, soak in Bestine or Naptha. It will give you a rough surface, but will accept paint.

[jmlaboda - RIP]

Love that Santa Fe diner roof... overall it is a really nice print.  The detail of it is great though I am sure that there is still some clean-up that has to be done.

[Cajonpassfan]

Love that Santa Fe diner roof... overall it is a really nice print.  The detail of it is great though I am sure that there is still some clean-up that has to be done.

Yes Jerry, me too. It's a perfect fit over the age old but respectable Atlas/RR diner.

This time, I decided to do something different. Some guys on Shapeways Forum suggest using Simple Green (in lieu of Bestine or Naphtha) so I tried it, followed up with a nice scrub of Dawn and warm water. (My wife advised me Dawn is gentle enough to use on ducks and other birds rescued from oil spills, so it must be gentle enough for FUD parts...so who am I to question that? )

Anyways, results seem good so far... Progress shot below.
Otto K.

[peteski]

Is that roof painted? FUD/FXD when de-waxed looks milky clear or white. The roof looks gray/blackish.

[Cajonpassfan]

No Pete, it's just a progress shot, black primer on the inside. Allows me to see the outside better. Tbc...
Otto

[peteski]

No Pete, it's just a progress shot, black primer on the inside. Allows me to see the outside better. Tbc...
Otto

Oh, was it primed after cleaning?  I was curious how the part looked like after cleaning in its virgin unpainted state (whether the Dawn removed all the oily wax residue).

[Cajonpassfan]

Pete, only the underside was primed...the outside is in its virgin state..
Otto

[peteski]

Pete, only the underside was primed...the outside is in its virgin state..
Otto

But both sides were cleaned, correct?
The primer changes the color of the entire part (since it is translucent) so it is not easy to tell how it looks like in its virgin unpainted but washed state.  But it is what it is.