Have you ever wondered if you need to prime 3d prints before painting? Priming, an important step, is the secret that people very often skip. Unlike digital paintings, where you can undo and redo anything with a single click, 3d prints require some steps before printing. Whatever you make, applying primer on 3D print paint models can make a big difference in how your final piece will look and feel. So is it always necessary? In this blog post I will discuss 3d prints priming, why one needs to prime 3d paints, is it actually necessary, the importance of it and how to do it as well as other unknown tips you need to prime 3d prints before painting; some pro tips for painting 3D prints like a boss too.
Priming 3d prints before painting isn’t always mandatory or necessary but it is highly recommended. But if you are looking for a smooth, professional-looking finish, then you need to prime 3D prints before painting. Most 3d printed models come with minor flaws, especially models done by FDM printers.
They come with tiny imperfections, some rough surfaces. Moreover, a primer coat helps these flaws to flawlessly mix with the color and give a clean look. So, if you want a permanent solution, want a clean and long lasting result then priming is a great solution, and 3D painting primer helps you to do it.
Though the name suggests that it is a paint, it is not. Rather 3D print primer paint is a primer that is specifically formulated for prepping 3d printed models. Its main job is to create a smooth, uniform surface to fill up the minor flaws and imperfections after being printed by FDM models. This primer is available in spray, brush-on, and filler types. So, if you use primer, the paint will look cleaner, more vibrant, and more professional.
If you look at the statistics, you will see that the global 3d printing market was valued at 13.2 billion dollars in 2020 and is estimated to reach 90 billion dollars by 2030. So, 3d models are important and priming them to increase their value in the market is also important.
Priming 3d paints is a vital part to get a polished, clean and professional looking finish. However it may seem like an optional step but it is more than that. Without it, paint may look like they have uneven textures or patchy colors. Here’s why using a primer paint for 3D prints is important:
1. Smooth layer lines: Most of the FDM printers output leave a visible layer line, sometimes surface ridges. The filler primers help in these unnoticeable imperfections and give the model a smooth surface.
2. Paint Adhesion Enhancement: Raw plastic surfaces can be slippery, spongy. As a result, it causes the paint to slide off or soak in inconsistently. Here primer creates a consistent surface thus helping the paint to stick better and makes it long lasting.
3. Increases Durability:
WHen a paint is directly applied to a model, it can easily peel off. A primer is used as an extra layer for its protection. So it doesn't peel off easily.
Below is a chart, a comparison table between primed vs unprimed models.
|
Feature |
Primed 3d Print |
Unprimed 3D Print |
|
Sanding |
Easier to sand |
Difficult to sand |
|
Detail Enhancement |
Highlights mistakes for correction |
Mistakes often go unnoticed |
|
Durability |
Long lasting |
May change due to scratching |
Below is a step by step process of priming a 3d model:
1. Clean the model
2. Sand the Outer Surface
3. Choosing the Right Primer
4. Apply the Primer
5. Wait for it to dry
6. Inspect Again
7. After Primed
There are some common mistakes people make and if you avoid those mistakes then you can have a perfect finished model.
The 1st mistake people make is that they skip the surface preparation. Without surface prep you cannot do priming. Surface prep means cleaning dust, oils; cleaning the rough areas, washing the resin prints, removing extras etc.
Another mistake most people make is applying too much primes. Some may think that applying too much can hide the rather large unnoticeable mistakes but it is not true. Everything excess is dangerous. You need to apply the amount that is needed.
So a question can arise in your curious mind how much is not too much or how much is the exact amount. That depends on the model size. For small models, 1-2 light coats is enough, for medium models like figurines and functional parts, 2 thin coats is okay. For larger models you can use 2-3 coats and if needed you can sand between layers.
Another common mistake people make is by choosing the wrong primer. If you see your primer isn’t giving you a finished look then you can think of this as a problem.
To choose a right primer you have to first consider the print type. There are different types of primers like Acrylic primers, Spray-on primers, Epoxy primers. Acrylic primers are good for plastic prints, epoxy primers are for high-strength coatings and spray-on primers are for quick even coating.
What to do if you see you overdid it or you see drips of paint? First gently wipe the excess primer with a lint-free cloth. Then use 600-800 grit sandpaper to adjust the drips, when it's dry. After that if you see you need to re-apply prime you can do that thinly.
Though priming is the benchmark of 3d painting, sometimes you want to do things quickly. Sometimes you want to skip some steps and get a quick result. Then you try different alternatives. Here are some best alternatives:
This self priming is best for quick jobs, also for models with low detail. This paint has built-in adhesion promoters. So it saves time and works moderately okay on sanded FDM prints or resin. Some of the best self-priming paints are:
However, though it seems easy and saves time, it may prove less effective at hiding layers. Sometimes it may peel off if surface preparation is skipped.
Best known for its smoothing the FDM prints fast. This coating acts as a primer and fills layer lines with a thick, self-leveling resin. When applying epoxy coatings like XTC-3D or UV Resin, brush it on and lightly sand it. The positive side is, it is best for complex geometries. However, if you over apply this coating, it may look obscure and this is more expensive than the spray primer.
It still is a primer but filler primer is one step quicker than the standard one. This primer is great for prints that have light or medium layer lines. Rust-Oleum Filler Primer and Tamiya Surface Primer are the two best examples for this primer.
However it does not work well on deep or rough prints.
Another easy way to work is applying heat to the 3d models. As a result it will save time and money and work perfectly. Wherever there are minor imperfections in your small models, you can apply heat and melt down the extra areas.
The negative part is you have to be precise and you need a controlled heat machine to not overdo it.
This is a smoothing system where a chemical named acetone vapor is used to smooth out the minor imperfections of the outer shell of the ABS prints. It does a great job by giving a shiny, smooth finish. This type of primer works best for the ABS prints and display pieces.
However, when applying one needs to be cautious of the chemical, so that he/she may not inhale it.
N.B. Try to use these on your test models.
Throughout the whole article you have seen what primer is, why use them, and alternatives to them. You may get a question in mind about what the best primers are. So, this section will cover the best primer for 3d prints.
So, it is the most important step to choose the right primer because with the right primer, 3d prints can look next level. However, there are a lot of primers out there, so it may confuse you. We have tested most of the primers in the market and listed the top 5 ones. Here are those:
This spray filler primer is one of most used primers in the 3D printing community. It is best for FDM prints. With this filler primer, you can fill small gaps and refine the model. It also gives a smooth sanding. Best part is as it is a popular product, it is readily available anywhere.
Tamiya Surface Primer is best for miniature and detailed resin paints. It is mostly used for plastic-modeled parts. Sometimes it is used for metal parts.
With the help of this spray primer, you can have an ultra-smooth finishing.
As an undercoat paint, it is one of the best long lasting primers out there. It is best for resin prints or high-detailed work.Most of the people use this because it has no clogs, it is non-toxic; so safe for indoor use and perfect for tiny details.
This primer is best for rough FDM prints. Most people choose this because it reduces the sanding time, perfect for cosplay and larger prints. However, it dries quickly and for its cheap price most people use it.
This primer is designed for miniature 3d models. It comes in a spray version. What makes it apart from others is that it has dual purpose, meaning you can do two things with one primer. You can firstly use it as a primer and also use it as a color.
However, it helps you to save time and as there are some color varieties, you can use different colors to test.
You have done every step carefully, done all of them according to this article, even brought the primers according to this article, now what? Now is the crucial step. You need to avoid some common mistakes after priming and painting. They are:
1. You need to have perfect weather to do the priming. If you did this in a rainy season and left the model outside for drying, then there won’t be any model left.
2. After all the hard work, if you can’t even see the final version, then everything is futile. So, after priming, seal your work.
3. Try not to paint just after priming. Let it dry fully over the night and then apply color.
4. Always sand before priming, this is the prerequisite of priming. If you don’t sand properly, how much you prime, it won’t make any difference.
The article covers if you need to prime 3d prints before painting. Simple answer is yes, in most cases. If you are thinking of taking time and creating a wonderful piece, then priming is a must. But if you are looking to do the quick work and for a quick result, then you can skip this part. 3D printed primer paintings
Yes, you can paint 3d prints without priming. Priming isn’t a compulsory step but if you do priming, it can increase the models sustainability.
Yes you can but it is a necessary process. By sanding your 3d model, you will get a smoother finished, polished surface. If you don’t want to sand then measures like priming can be an alternative step.
Priming is a must when your 3d model is oil-based printing, when you want to change the color, when you are dealing with porous surfaces, and even for covering stains.
Yes, you can paint 3d printed items with acrylic paint. Acrylic paint is popular and dries quickly. Moreover, it is easy to use. Thus you can use it to paint 3d printed models
The best paint for 3d prints (pla) is acrylic paint. Acrylic paint is popular,dries quickly and easy to use. Moreover, if it is used with a primer it can enhance the quality for better stickiness and sleek finishes
