Key principles.
ABS / ASA only
Acetone vapor melts surface. Glossy finish. ABS/ASA only.
Universal
Sand 220 → 400 → 600 → 1200 grit. Tedious but works any material.
Batch finishing
Tumble in media. Production-friendly mass finishing.
Matte uniform
Bead blast for uniform matte finish. Standard SLS/MJF finish.
Premium
Sand + prime + paint for premium aesthetic.
SLA only
SLA needs IPA wash to remove uncured resin before smoothing.
FAQ
Hand sand to fine grit, then polish or paint. Photopolymer accepts paint well after primer.
Bead blast standard. Vapor smoothing limited (some PA12 grades). Vibratory tumbling for production.
Acetone vapor for ABS — most effective. Hand sanding for PLA/PETG. Time-consuming.
Plastic mirror polish requires patient sanding 220→2000 grit + buffing compound.
Hand sanding labor-heavy ($20-100/part). Vapor smooth $10-30. Tumble $5-15. Paint $30-100.
Vibratory tumble + bead blast scales to production. Hand sand for low-volume premium parts.
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