Hi all! New user to bambu lab, returning 3d printer user, last one was probably 6 years ago.. currently have this issue to print the simplest item on the default setting after 2 weeks of use..
Issue:
Bambu P2S failing right after the calibration line (sucess) —print starts, then turns into a small blob/crumb instead of sticking.
What I checked:
-
Same print profile that worked previously
-
Thoroughly cleaned the build plate multiple times, soap + warm water, IPA before use
-
No obvious slicer or temperature issues
Findings:
-
Flipped the build plate → print worked perfectly →
//1 day later same problem!!
-
Cleaning alone didn’t restore grip (both side)
-
Played around on the G-code to eventually printed the first layer (z → 0mm, or -0.01)
//first layer done but eventually the tower fell and spagehtti
-
Played around with first layer speed:
//first layer done but eventually the tower fell and spagehtti
Question:
-
must be something i missed right? PEI cant be worn out that quickly + i should be able to print since its the most basic PLA + PEI, seeing what others do online this should be very reliable…??
-
is it common to have to compensate with Z offset, brim, first layer speed? Or just switch plates / use glue?
Finding it a little frustrating right now just because i thought this should be very basic for this reliable printer…
3 Likes
What kind of soap? Make sure it doesn’t have any additives like hand softener. Also what kind of water source? Well water, city water? How are you drying your plate? Also try not using the IPA as this can cause adhesion issues.
2 Likes
Any reason for which you are using IPA, after washing the plate? It might be a good idea to avoid using it. Simply wash the plate well, and try to print once it is dry.
Please check out this article, for more information about how to clean the plate.
It includes two gifs that can help you understand if the plate is clean or not.
- Before cleaning, the water on the PEI plate flows down in streams and gathers into droplets, which indicates the adhesion of the plate is poor.
- After cleaning, the water flow on the PEI plate forms a thin water film, which indicates the plate has good adhesion.
6 Likes
i been using dish washing soap and warm water, didnt do the trick thats why i picked up some IPA.
Surprised to hear IPA is to avoid? i thought i saw online that this is meant to improve it.. will try without tonight..
just water from tap, and drying it by putting it near the dehumidifier outlet vent
Same Problem here. It doesn’t matter if i clean it with dish soap or IPA. The Print won’t stick to the Textured PEI Plate when using PLA.
I mostly Print with ABS and ABS works fine though. I’m really close to giving up on printing PLA on my P2S at all. This is very frustrating.
Does anyone have an Idea why this happens?
hi thanks for your reply,
the 2 GIFs are actually very useful tips for me to verify if the plate will stick before setting the printer off again! this serves as a very good indication (instead of having to set off a small print and wait for the printer to initialise, which takes about 7 mins each print)
great help thanks!
2 Likes
I had the same, just would not stick anymore on the default plate. I bought Cool Plate SuperTack Pro | Bambu Lab EU Store and wow that makes all the difference. It is even hard to get the objects off the plate.
1 Like
tried a different kind of soap last night and using the GIFs by the BambuSupportassistnat as a indication refence, and i was able to get 2 print set off last night!
gained a bit more confidence with it!
what im gonna do tonight is to try print the same model twice but each time wash the plate with different soap, that will tell me if that makes all the difference.
Anyway thanks for letting me know to try different soap!
1 Like
someone in this thread recommended me to try different kind of soap when cleaning it and that helped me to set the printer off again,
the bambulab support assistant has then taught me how to look for signs of wheterh the PEI plate will stick before starting the print, see above.
Cleaning method too, i noticed that if i were to wipe the sponge once the water sticks better, but if i were to scrup a serveral times, i wash off the surface and it then became less tacky again.
Don’t forget to rinse the build plate with lots of hot tap water, after cleaning it with soap water. This will remove any soap residu. Then dry with paper (kitchen) towels. And make sure not to touch the surface of the build plate with your hands afterwards.
2 Likes
thanks mate, will try tonight too!
1 Like
Pleased you have this sorted Richie, fwiw I keep a small softish scrubbing brush well away from the cook in the house just for this purpose. I’m in the UK and use “Fairy Liquid”, I believe thers is a similar product in the US called “Dawn” both by Proctor & Gamble.
1 Like
Also I can’t remember what video it was but instead of using ipa, use ammonia based window cleaner as it will get rid of the oils. It has worked better than ipa for me. Ipa supposedly just pushes the oils around and ammonia breaks it up
1 Like
Any time I see these posts with new users that have adhesion issues I cant help but wonder what’s up. I have only been printing about 1 year, maybe a little less, I have never had issues with the filament not sticking to the plate, I frequently have issues with PETG being stuck to good. I dont do anything special just dish soap and a mostly clean sponge, warm/ hot water rinse then dry with a clean towel, and then dont touch the print surface with anything. I have multiple plates and all of them work very good, my guess is there is a missing bit of info.
1 Like
Same, never had any problems. I do use isopropyl alcohol on the bed every couple of prints and this worked great for me. Only wash my bed when I do something stupid like spilling grease on it.
1 Like