I would never say “never to using alcohol” because it depends on the context. Using only alcohol is ineffective because it does not dissolve grease.
However, if you want the print plate to be extra clean, the best approach is to use soap first and then pure alcohol second, provided the printer plate supports this. This is not an issue with most Bambu plates.
Pure alcohol - Isopropyl - and soap detergent are designed for different purposes. I would not recommend categorically rejecting alcohol as a general recommendation. I don’t think it’s a good idea to completely abandon an important cleaning tool.
The important thing is to understand when to use which cleaning agent.
It’s like the question of whether to use glue or no glue as a separator: you have to understand your tool, but just because someone don’t understand yet - which of course changes with experience - it doesn’t mean someone have to abandon it.
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IPA / Isopropyl or Soap to clean Bambu build plates - Here you can find many more opinions on this topic.
everything from drying the PLA, slowing stuff down etc,different nozzles
about the only thing is i have not changed the hardened steel extruder gears which i got with the printer , 1400hours or so?
its also very random, and will happen on a new model from maker world,or an old model i have printed successfully in the past
the filament type ( all my fillaments are bamboo ) does not matter , the post above is PLA CF , i have had it happen with PETG HF , yet the other day i printed a new model with PETG HF no worries, same as last night and this morning
I live in Aus and its currently warm, printer is inside , but not next to any fans or aircon ducts etc
I’ve use alcohol, maybe 2 times in the last 10 years, when due to my fault, filament stuck to the build plate too well. There is no need to clean a plate more than the bare minimum to clean off any filament that stays after you part is removed. Using anthing stronger, over time, just damages the build plate surface, and mu build plates typically last 100’s if not 1000’s of prints. If you need alcohol or something stronger, I would just ask why? Are your PEI plates “dirty” after you print something on them?
I’m not denying your experience, but you have to take into account: different environments, different requirements, different settings. Is the device in a workshop, at home, at work. It’s great that you’re sharing your experience, but what works for one person may not work for another. You’re basing your opinion on your own experience over the last 10 years, which is great, whereas I’m referring to the collective knowledge of the forum. See link.
That’s why one experience isn’t better than the other; they complement each other. They don’t exclude each other with a “never ever. PERIOD.” from youre side.
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Just so we’re on the same page: I only wrote about IPA / Isopropyl alcohol. If you want to know why someone uses something stronger, you have to ask them. Isopropyl alcohol is approved for use on 3D printer plates. Unless you have a very special plate that specifically prohibits this, but then there will be a warning about it.
Check out “Is Alcohol Ruining Your Prints? Why PEI Works (And Fails)” on Youtube by Loyal Moses. He is one of the few that knows what he is talking about. Otherwise other than the newbes, use all the alcohol you want. You newbes, just use dishsoap and water, and NEVER a dishwasher.
Had you seen the video, you would have heard him say that he uses isopropyl alcohol. You’re making yourself look foolish, and I don’t understand why. This isn’t a competition. Yes, he knows what he’s talking about, but you didn’t understand him? If you had simply copied his text, I would have agreed with you, but your statement and his differ fundamentally.
It’s that you shouldn’t soak the plate in it and scrubbing like crazy - only apply a very small amount. He says you can use it; just don’t use too much. For example, don’t wet the plate completely with it, but use a sprayer instead.
That’s why he also says, and I quote, pay attention to the emphasis on “excessive”:
Excessive use of high-concentration IPA (91%-99%) can degrade the PEI surface, smoothing out the microtexture and reducing adhesion.
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And keep in mind the whole context: Isopropyl alcohol is about the second step. It’s about getting maximum adhesion out of the print plate. - That was my statement. Not about replacing soap.
And why? Soap and Isopropyl alcohol are two different chemicals that dissolve different types of stains, so neither can clean everything perfect. However, in a two-step process, you can compensate for each other’s weaknesses and thus achieve maximum adhesion.
The same applies to the use of glue. A little helps to release the object, but too much and things go down the drain.
As I said, you seem to want to claim that all the users and expert from this community are wrong? Just asking?
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…and if you don’t believe me, or the community, perhaps a retailer.
Isopropyl Alcohol for building boards
IPA is effective in cleaning the 3D printer build plates and leaves no traces or residues. To work, it can be diluted to 70% Isopropyl Alcohol and 30% distilled water. For its maximum potential, it can also be used at high concentrations.
I have started doing two-stage cleanings, with dish soap + hot water, wiped dry [but not like, waiting around to be actually dry], spritz with 99% isopropyl, wiped dry again, and it’s been smooth sailing for me. This is all vibes, but I think having two different mild solvents plus heat in your process is important. Or at least it is for the contaminants in my air that end up on my plates.
Very sorry to read through your journes. I am a very new to the hobby and just received my P2S a couple of days ago. Everything is working fine right out of the box even with the 3rd party filament i ordered.
Did you already reach out to the Bambulab Support about the issue? I mean your already did a lot so it is not an instant call for help but a decisive analysis which did not resolve your issues.
im only using bambu filament , PLA, PETG HF all the same issues even the PLA and PETG CF all from bambu
door open or closed makes ZERO difference
im in AUS and its summer here and indoor temps are around 20-25degs c
i was able to print a benchy with the door open in PETG HF no worries after i changed the extruder, on smooth pei plate with bambu glue , then went to print something else , no dice tried the textured plate , after cleaning it AGAIN , nothing
X or P printers should open the door with these filaments unless its under about 20C. Never use alcohol, wash bed with soap and water and rinse and dry completely. If you have used lots of alcohol in the past or the plate is old, its time to replace it. They are consumables. A thin coat of Bambu glue never hurts. Bed at 55C for PLA or 80 for PETG? If all is that is still not working, you might have a hardware problem with bed leveling, but this is not all that likely.
no matter what i do i have issues , my smooth PEI plate is essentially new and lucky if it has 50 or prints on both sides combined, and even then the textured pei plate is less than a year old printer has 1300hours on it
i only wash with hot water and dishwashing detergent , using the dishwasher as advised in here, did not work
my issues are very very random as i will get some prints to work , without re cleaning the build plate
also it does not matter where on the build plate i put the model
all the prints that have failed i have printed successfully before , so thats not a model issue to me
I have got a ticket with bambu and they are useless , as different ppl are replying and saying its the build plate dirty when its not the issue
I have the same problems like you guys. The problems started from one print to the other after updating a package in bambu studio and a firmware update of the printer. Directly before I printed something with the same filament (PLA) which ran perfectly. After the update only problems. The first line that is printed is already not sticking and has errors. Once the print starts the real object it does not even stick for a second. I never had these problems since I have the printer and that´s more than a year now. PLA always prints with good bed atthesion when printing on a first large surface in the first layer. No matter how nicely I have been cleaning my buildplate. So I think the issue is somewhere in the software. Hope someone figures this out because up to this problem I was very happy with my printer and it printed almost everything with perfection.
but i have 2 plates so 4 sides… no idea 2 build plates and 4 sides are worn with only 1800hrs on the printer
Dear Bambu Lab Customer,
Thanks for reply.
If the filament is not properly adhering to the build plate, the potential causes are typically the following:
build plate: The plate may not be clean, could be worn out, or may not be positioned correctly.
Heatbed: The heatbed may not be leveled, the temperature may need to be increased, or there may be wobbling during vertical movement.
Nozzle and Extruder: If loose or clogged, the extruder could cause insufficient material extrusion.
Moisture in Filament: The filament may have absorbed moisture, affecting its printability.
Because you’ve confirmed that none of the above issues are present, we recommend considering a replacement build plate based on the images you provided. This will help eliminate the most likely factors contributing to the issue.
Lastly, please ensure that the platform on which the printer is placed is stable and that the printer door is properly closed during operation.
Should you need further assistance, feel free to contact us again.
Not 100% problem related but after 1400 hours have you changed any PTFE tubes? Your filament is fragging out, strings that get caught on your print and pull.
Because this will wear down the PTFE in the full run, inside AMS as well as the feeder funnels. All this increases drag for both extrusion and retraction. Remember I’m spit balling here since you’ve been trying different things. I have a theory but it’s just that.
As for cleaning, @RetroSharky is correct. Alcohol is ok for any plate other than a SuperTack or one of the Biqu blue (and other colors apparently) plates. I can’t remember the material but yeah, you’ll know it if you buy it.
I have a sprayed Ultem plate from Wham Bam. They recommend alcohol for cleaning that plate. Additionally you can use soap and water, but dry with something lint free and hasn’t been washed with fabric softeners. Oh, and if you use alcohol wipe the plate thoroughly with a dry paper towel. Some lower concentrations can leave a film. Best way to test is to use it to clean the door or top glass. Residue left behind will be evident.
Ditto for my PEI plates other than the sprayed ultem.
I wouldn’t have waited. It just exasperates the problem and causes you more aggravation. I’ll explain why in a minute, even if they tell you to do what you’ve tried.
So this tells you it’s one of two things. The printer has a defect or it’s you. Simple right?
Since you’ve explained that you’ve done all you know to do then perhaps the printers bed needs to be trammed or the Z lowered through g-code.
Lastly, the reply you got was from a script they will go through. They’ll run through it no matter what. If you had filed the ticket earlier you’d be through this part of their process. Live and learn. I did.
Look at your PTFE tubes, mind the washing advice, tram your bed, look at lowering z by g-code. BUT DON’T DO ALL AT ONCE. I figure you know this but IF one of these fixes the problem than it’s important to know which one to know the problems source.
dude thanks for the huge repsonse and detailed too!
I had not thought about the PTFE tubes ,
i have some spares i might change the one from the extruder to the ams and ams to filament
Would worn tubes not cause print issues throughout the print ? when the prints stick the quality is actually good!
i have also not used lots of CF fillament , maybe 4 or 5 rolls tops?
I have done a few auto calibrations , and the manual tramming too! nothing worked, as its complete random , i can get 1 print to fail then next works ! even the same 3mf
well yeah that’s the thing i dont think its me, i know I am new to this, But it seems a few others are having the same issues as myself
tried the textured plate , after cleaning it AGAIN , nothing