I was looking at some of my freshly 3D printed objects and noticed that there were a few gaps & seams in certain spots. It didn’t look so great, so I had to figure out how to fill up these seams, for my PLA 3D prints and other types.
Keep on reading for a nice list of fillers to use for your 3D prints and then a more in-depth explanation on how people best fill in gaps and seams.
Apoxie Scult is a popular product among not only crafting projects, home décor, or cosplay, but also for filling in those seams out of your 3D prints.
It manages to combine the benefits you would see from sculpting clay, as well as the high strength adhesive properties of epoxy.
This is a solution which is permanent, self-hardening, and even waterproof, so it can give you the best results out there.
It is smooth enough that it allows you to mix and use it without major tools or techniques.
There is no baking required as it cures and hardens within 24 hours, resulting in a semi-gloss finish. It has the ability to adhere to any type of surface which allows you to use it for sculpting, decorating, bonding, or filling any type of seams and gaps in your 3D prints.
A 3D printer user said that he was in trouble as it was difficult to find a great product for filling the 3D print seam in the matching color. He moved to Apoxie Sculpt because it can be mixed and used in 12 different colors.
You can choose from simple white Apoxie Sculpt, to a range of 4-color packs which can be mixed together to create custom colors to your liking. They even have a PDF color-mixing guide that provides you with detailed instructions on how you can get it perfect.
Wear safety gloves before mixing two compounds and let them sit for about 2 minutes so that these compounds can mix up thoroughly, forming a perfect new color.
Some of the benefits and features are as follows:
Self-Hardening
High Adhesion Strength
Hard and Durable
0% Shrinkage and Cracking
No Baking Required
Easy to Use
It works by two products together (Compound A & Compound B). It’s easy to work with and is even water-soluble before it cures which makes it so much simpler to apply. Simply use water to smooth out, then use sculpting tools if you have some.
One user uses this product effectively to smooth out joints in their 3D prints, and it works so well that you can barely tell there was ever a seam there. It doesn’t have a super strong hold, but for filling in seams, that’s not a requirement.
Another person uses Apoxie Sculpt to sculpt parts which they then 3D scan and print, an amazing method for prototyping.
Bondo Glazing is well known for its durability and ease of usage. It is extremely fast and shows no signs of shrinkage. It is an ideal option for filling seams and holes in your 3D prints as it provides a perfectly smooth finish.
There is no need for mixing or extra work as it is ready to use right from the tube.
It provides a 3-minute working time and becomes ready for sanding in just 30 minutes. It is non-staining which means that your 3D prints will not get affected nor their color will be damaged.
One of the buyers said that he purchased it as a trial but once he got to use it, he completely fell in love with this filler.
The drying process was much quicker than he expected. The sanding was great and the resultant 3D print model had an excellent polish level finish.
It is known to emit strong fumes and odor until the product is dry, so I’d recommend that you work at an open place or in a well-ventilated area.
Some of the benefits and features are as follows:
Easy to Use
No Mixing Required
Sandable in 30 Minutes
Non Staining
Fast Drying
Low Shrinkage
Several users mention just how easy it is to use and apply, with one user saying it is perfect for smoothing out 3D prints that have a lot of lines in them and to fill in gaps. This isn’t a 2-part product which does make things easier for you to apply.
It sands very well after it cures, and it’s a good idea to put at least a layer of primer before you paint over your models.
A review mentioned how fast it dries and how they originally wanted to use it to cover just their main problem areas, but after it worked so well, they started to use it an almost all the surfaces of 3D prints!
Bondo Body Filler consists of two parts compound, and it is widely used for bonding purposes in many fields including 3D printing. It is widely used by 3D printer users because it cures extremely fast and provides everlasting durability.
It is specially formulated in such a way that it can prevent shrinkage and form shapes in minutes. Bondo Body Filler was originally designed for vehicles, that’s the reason why it includes some of the most amazing features such as high strength and easy usage.
3D printers’ users say that they feel it highly beneficial because it provides expected results, and you can easily sand your models once the filler is hardened which only takes minutes. You can get a smooth finish using different sanding grits.
Some of the benefits and features are as follows:
Spreads Smoothly
Dries in Minutes
Easy to Sand
Excellent Smooth Finish
Suitable for almost All Types of 3D Printing Materials
One user said that they use it to cover 3D prints, and it works wonders to hide those little errors, as well as being sandable for a smooth finish.
Elmer’s ProBond Wood Filler can really get the job done for 3D printer users, with very little hassle compared to other options.
Let’s explain this filler by the words of its users.
A buyer’s feedback stated that he likes to use this filler for his 3D prints because it dries superfast and hardly takes 15 to 30 minutes.
One of the best things about this filler is that it is almost odorless which prevents your room from filling with a weird smell.
Another user advised that if you are going to use this filler for filling seams and layer lines on your 3D prints, you should not overuse it as it may become a problem at the time of sanding. Otherwise, it works pretty well for the 3D print models.
Just make sure that you keep it covered by keeping the lid on or placing a plastic cover over the container because it can dry fast if left open.
Some of the benefits and features are as follows:
Dries Super-Fast
Odorless
Easy to Use
Strong Adhesion
Easy to Clean
One frustration for many 3D print users is when it comes to putting models together and there being a small gap. You can use this product to simply fill in this gap before you get to painting the model.
This really is a go-to filler for 3D printer hobbyists out there, so do yourself a favor, get the Elmer’s ProBond Wood Filler from Amazon now.
The Rust Oleum Filler & Sandable Primer is a staple product in all kinds of fields and industries that involve DIY, especially 3D printing. If you are looking for top quality models, you should look no further.
It has a 2-in-1 formula that ensures durable and long-lasting results and fills the seams and gaps in your 3D prints while priming the surface as well.
The container comes with a comfort tip which makes the process easy and reduces finger fatigue, unlike some other products out there.
One of the buyers shared his experience stating that it adheres extremely well to filaments like PLA and ABS without requiring any sanding. It allows you to build an even surface and a smooth finish.
The user said that he uses about 3 coats of the primer to make a good and filled surface of the 3D prints before moving forward towards sanding and finishing. It dries rapidly, adheres strongly, sands easily, and in simple words, it is worth buying for your 3D print models.
You can really boost your 3D printing game with this product.
It’s also a versatile product. You can go from spraying your freshly printed model, to priming the bare metal of your car before applying paint to cover those rusting spots.
Some of the benefits and features are as follows:
Durable
Primes Efficiently
Smooth and Even Surface
Sands Easily
Best for Finishing
One user who has been using this primer for many years for 3D printing swears by it every time.
Before moving towards the process, make sure that you follow the precautionary measure and wear safety gloves especially if you are using fillers like Bondo Glazing & Spot Putty.
You can get the job done with your fingers while using fillers like Probond Wood Filler.
The process is as follows:
Find all the seams and gaps in your 3D print.
Take some filler and apply it on the seams.
Use your finger to run it along all the edges and minor gaps in your 3D print.
Keep on applying the filler until the seam is completely filled.
Once you have filled all the seams, let your print model dry for some time depending on the filler you are using.
Once it is dried completely, take sand grit and start sanding the parts where filler has been applied.
Apply different sand grits such as 80, 120, or any that work well. Start low and move to higher grits.
Keep on sanding the print until you get a clean smooth finish.
I’d definitely recommend checking out the video below by Uncle Jessy, who takes you through the process of filling in gaps and seams in your 3D prints!
Generally speaking, you want to increase the overall wall thickness of your 3D prints, by increasing the number of walls, or the actual wall thickness measurement in your Slicer.
The top thickness tends to be the important factor as to whether you have those large seams and gaps that you see in many 3D prints. On top of that, the infill density will have an impact on how filled the top of your 3D print will be.
Michael Dwamena is the founder of 3D Printerly, a platform dedicated to simplifying 3D printing for hobbyists and professionals alike. Owns over 20 3D printers (filament and resin) and has plenty experience 3D printing. Michael has authored over 900 articles, helping millions navigate the exciting world of 3D printing.
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