Applying various finishes to 3D Printed parts has always been an important side of the services offered here at F3DP, but as more and more end use parts are now being manufactured using 3D printing and Additive manufacturing it has taken even more importance for us to offer various part surface smoothing options. We have worked to stay at the forefront as new finishing techniques have become available and have even blazed a few trails of our own by being the first 3D Printing company in the United States to offer Cerakote finishes as an inhouse service to our customers.
The following is an overview of the secondary part surface smoothing services we offer. If you have questions or are not sure what is right for your project feel free to send a message to one of our knowledgeable Sales Engineers and we can help you figure out what is the best option for your specific project.
3D Printed Part Finishing Options
HAND SANDING
Everything from just a rough pass to remove support stubble all the way to wet sanding with 600 grit sand paper with specialized hand tools to remove all layer lines.
MEDIA BLASTING
Parts can be blasted to give them a matte finish (similar to a plastic milk jug in appearance and texture) this is our most cost effective finishing option.
VAPOR SMOOTHING
The Vapor Smoothing process is a chemical surface smoothing method that improves the part performance, seals the surface, and offers a smooth / glossy look and feel. You can find more information on this surface finish option on this page.
3D Printed Part Finishing Levels
MJF / SLS Parts:
MJF and SLS Parts are always bead blasted for a smooth texture and can either be dyed black or left raw.
Learn More about DYED and RAW parts
Opaque Parts (SLA / FDM / POLYJET / DLP Parts):
LEVEL 0 | STRIP & SHIP
Excess material is cleaned off part, supports (if any are present) are removed. Support surfaces are not sanded and are left very rough.
Cost: FREE
LEVEL 1 | SUPPORT SANDING
Excess material is cleaned off part, supports (if any are present) are removed. Rough support surfaces are sanded smooth. Unless specified this is the finish all parts we print are shipped with.
Cost: $
LEVEL 2 | MATTE FINISH
Support surfaces are sanded, parts are lightly sanded in all rough areas. Bead blast applied to entire part for uniform finish.
Cost: $$
LEVEL 3 | MOLD MASTER
Layer lines removed through sanding of entire part. Bead blast applied to entire part for uniform finish. Part can be used as a master for cast urethan tooling.
Cost: $$$
LEVEL 4 | PAINT PREP
Layer lines removed through sanding of entire part. Part is prepared for painting with primer.
Cost: $$$$
LEVEL 4 | CERAKOTE
Layer lines removed through sanding of entire part. Part is then coated in Cerakote. More info on Cerakote part finishing can be found on this page.
Cost: $$$$
Clear Parts (SLA / POLYJET):
For more information on clear 3D printed parts and examples of what each of the finish options listed below look like please visit our page on clear parts.
LEVEL 0 | STRIP & SHIP
Excess resin is cleaned off the parts and supports are removed. Support surfaces are not sanded and are left rough. Part is transparent but layer lines are visible and looking through the part will be blurry.
Unless specified this is the finish all parts we print are shipped with.
Cost: FREE
LEVEL 1 | BEAD BLAST
Support surfaces are sanded. Bead blast applied to entire part for uniform finish. Parts have a smoked appearance like a milk jug.
Cost: $
LEVEL 2 | ROUGH COAT
Rough support areas are sanded smooth and the part is clear coated, layer lines will be visible in the clear coat but you can easily see through the part and make out details on the other side.
Cost: $$$
LEVEL 3 | OPTICAL COAT
Layer lines removed from the entire part by hand sanding, Part is then clear coated and its as close to being optically clear* as is possible.
Cost: $$$$
*There is no such thing as a truly “optically clear” 3D printed part. To the human eye the part will appear clear like glass, but due to the part being built with layers it will scatter things like light, lasers, and sometimes vision systems in unpredictable ways.