Hello, I bought some black Bambu Lab PLA Basic and some JAYO PETG Matte High Speed, and after printing a few models I noticed the models printed in PETG are much more shiny than the ones printed in PLA and thus look cheaper. From my understanding the Basic filament is supposedly more shiny than Matte, but even with this in mind, it still looks much better and is less shiny than the PETG prints.
It has been my experience that PETG always looks very shiny. One of the reasons I rarely use it. With that said I’ve noticed that when printing a filament faster (like PLA) it tends to reduce the sheen.
I just got in some Bambu PETG-HF filament for an upcoming project and I’m hoping it will not be as shiny but I’m not holding my breath either.
Like you, I’d be interested in knowing any tips or tricks to lower the sheen of PETG.
PETG naturally is more shiny than PLA. I would describe PETG-HF as silky matte. SUNLU highspeed PETG matte is a little bit less shiny than Bambu but still far from e.g. PLA matte.
If I want very matte PETG, i would use PETG-CF.
Most filaments at some point turn less shiny when you print them faster and/or colder. But that is a sign if insufficient melting. E.g. layer adhesion takes quite a hit. Measurements I took some time ago indicated like 30% reduced bonding.
That PETG-CF is really nice. I’ve used it a lot. It has a really nice surface finish. Not just matte, but has a little texture to it too that washes away layer lines.
Double check your luster with a temp tower, PLA and PETG are notorious for having different luster depending on the temp they were extruded at.
Aesthetics being subjective, I will put my vote for PETG-CF or ABS-GF on your goal of a “Matte finish that doesn’t look like cheap shiny plastic forks”. ABS-GF in particular also FEELS very substantial and strong, with a mottled and rockhard surface. Especially the stuff sirayatech makes with like 40% glass fill.