Release agent recommendations for delicate prints

I have a delicate type of print I like to do which is face masquerade masks that are printed with tulle to make the mask design look like it is floating on your face. The trouble is, it can be delicate when taking off the build plate. I’ve used glue stick before on another printer and I could not get the mask off without tearing it so I’m afraid if I HAVE to use a glue stick, I’m going to tear the mask getting it off. Anyone have a recommendation of what type of release agent to use that makes it really easy to remove the print without much force? Like, would hairspray work to make sure it doesn’t stick permanently but also come off easily? (I have ordered my Bambu but don’t have it yet, so I’m looking all this up before I get it to be prepared!)

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There are several available adhesives that are water-soluble, so you should be able to run the plate under warm water and have the print release. Bambu now sells one, there are others. Glue stick is also water-soluble.

Another trick that may work is to put the build plate in the freezer for a few minutes - the print may release on its own.

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I honestly never thought of washing the build plate with the print on it to get it to come off! Thanks for that suggestion and the freezer trick too!

Did you have any luck Penolopy? My wife is asking me if I can make such a mask for her but I’ve not tried the method with tulle.

Yes! I use a glue stick and then carefully bend the bed and crack it off afterwards. The smaller the bits the harder to get off, but most of the time it works fine. I have also found that the Bambu glue stick works better than any others for some reason. I do not wash the plate with the mask and glue on it to get it off. I did try that and it didn’t seem to work.

Vision miner nano polymer. It’s a high temp adhesive and release agent when cooled. Ipa based so no tacky residue.

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Awesome to hear. Thanks for the tips! Picking some up today to give it a try. :slight_smile:

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Note that in some cases NanoPolymer may still cause the print to stick when the plate is cool. Water will loosen it (they say this on their site, and I have found it works.)

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I went to download the mask she wants on Printables…and it’s yours! :slight_smile: Will be making it today.

Haha, that’s great :slight_smile: I hope it goes well! They can be really finicky. It either goes perfect the first time or I end up redoing it like 5 times :woman_facepalming:

water based glue followed by water.

What type of water based glue have you used? I’ve only ever used glue stick.

I’m a big fan of 3dlac, have been using it for a long time. You only need the lightest of sprays and it lasts for 5 or so prints before you need to reapply it, so it’s very economical. I wash the plate off in water before re-applying.

glue stick or the bambu liquid glue. I also have a slurry of elmers glue and ipa that works wonders. I stay away from hair spray because it flakes.