Textured PEI PLATE is it ok to clean with rubbing alcohol?

Bambu Lab X1 Series General discussions
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Textured PEI PLATE is it ok to clean with rubbing alcohol?

2

If that is IPA, yes (IPA = Isopropyalcolhol)

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3

Can you specify with ā€˜rubbing alcoholā€™?
As mr1952 mentioned, I also clean my textured PEI regularly with IPA and it works great.

4

it is IPA (isopropyl) 70%

5

yes, ok. I am using 99 percentā€¦

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Youā€™ll probably do better with the higher percentage ipa if you have access to it.

Definitely donā€™t use acetone on the bed though.

8

I would advise obtaining 99%/100% IPA and not using 70% for better results. 70% contains water and often other additives to mask the smell or induce vomiting if ingested, which can affect parts sticking to the plate. It really can make a huge difference.

You can usually find the 99+% stuff at a hardware or paint supplies store.

9

Do not use IPA any grade on PEI plate, warm soapy water, completely rinse and dry.

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10

That is nonsense. While using warm water and neutral dishsoap is easier to perform, you can use IPA 99% without any problem. Just make sure to rub it dry good and not letting it all evaporate, which would only spread the oils and not get rid of it.

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11

Aw man does ipa hurt it? Ive been using 99%

12

Iā€™ve been using it for about 6 months not with 99%, I havenā€™t noticed any decrease in performance, I also havenā€™t cleaned it with soap and water since I got it, I do recommend cleaning it with soap and water for the first use, but afterwards you can just use IPA without issues from what Iā€™ve found. I wouldnā€™t worry about it, Iā€™ve actually had issues in the past with soap and water, I use Dawn dish soap, and with the cheap plates I got for my old printer the water would soak underneath the PEI coating, and when it heats the water evaporates causing the PEI to lift in ā€œbubblesā€ making me buy a new plate every 3 months, but I havenā€™t had ANY issues with IPA

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13

IPA donā€™t work well for me but you can use it. For me itā€™s still warm water+soap works the best

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91% is considered to be a better degreaser than 99/100%. 99/100 evaporates too quickly. 91% is a good balance.

However, anyone saying any level doesnā€™t degrease is full of it. For those parroting this non-sense, go read the uses on any chemical site or reference material for 91% IPA and one of the first or second things is almost always degreasing.

Example: 70% vs. 91% vs. 99% Isopropyl Alcohol: Which Concentration Is Best? ā€“ Alliance Chemical

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91% is better for degreasing generally because water itself is a solvent thatā€™s better at dissolving some substances, but for the 3d printer bed adhesion use case we want as little water as possible because some will remain behind on the bed for a time after cleaning and leaves residues when it eventually evaporates. When I hear someone saying they tried IPA and it didnā€™t work for them, itā€™s always been something less than 99% - though granted 91% is less commonly reported than 70%

Bonus fact not relevant to this discussion: 70% IPA is actually a better antiseptic than 91% or 99% for some reason

(edit: reposted to reply to the right comment)

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This is the official guide.

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The crux of this discussion is that the official guide is incorrect and flies in the face of over a decade of 3d printing community experience.

ā€œThe reason why we recommend detergent for cleaning the textured plate is due to its textured surface. Alcohol might just spread the oils on the print surface instead of removing itā€

Iā€™ve never, ever, had any bed adhesion problems ever using any appropriate build plate and filament material combination. Iā€™ve also never had to go to the effort of scrubbing with detergents and ensure all soap and residues are removed before printing. This is poor advice. Scraper, some unscented cheap tissues, 99% IPA in a spray bottle. Remove material, spray the build plate, wipe vigorously until thereā€™s no wetting on the surface, ready to print every time.

Currently printing ASA on the original Engineering build plate my X1C shipped with immediatelly following the kickstarter campaign that has seen years of use now. No detergents. No lifting at all

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I have the opposite experience.

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Then Iā€™d say itā€™s likely you were using 70% or some other % IPA less than 99%, or maybe your tissues had softeners/scented oils/etc