PEI Bed Surface

[Rara]

Thinking about giving PEI a shot; is this adhesive that people are using removable and/or reusable, or is it basically a permanent bond?

[kazolar]

Thinking about giving PEI a shot; is this adhesive that people are using removable and/or reusable, or is it basically a permanent bond?

can be removed with wd 40 -- might ruin the PEI sheet, but your boro should be unharmed

[PcS]

I had to redo mine. It pulled off ok. The adhesive came off good with ether. I think I need a thicker sheet. Every time I stick it on it ends up with a high spot some where I can't seem to get the this sheet flat enough for me. The prints I did on it anyway showed promise. I think if I keep printing petg I might go back to glass.

[insta]

Anyone who's done this ... have you ever had the parts NOT pop off the bed either on their own or with the smallest application of force? I'm curious in what exactly takes this surface down over time.

[kazolar]

Anyone who's done this ... have you ever had the parts NOT pop off the bed either on their own or with the smallest application of force? I'm curious in what exactly takes this surface down over time.

I've had one part not want to come off, I have a metal spatula type thing I got at home depot a while back, and I was able to scrape it off, turns out my z axis was off and too smooshed. The material wears out and adhesion properties decrease. If your sheet is thick enough you can give it a light sanding and its good as new again. It may start to degrade from repeated heating and cooling, but no one has used it long enough to see that. Top surface looses grip after about 100 prints, a light sanding with 1000- 1500 grit paper brings it back. I have heard some folks have issues with the adhesive and have to reapply.

[Rara]

Has anyone used BuildTak and PEI for comparison? I've been using BuildTak for a while now and been pretty happy. ~$12 a sheet but seems to last quite a while if you're careful, and it's a breeze to change out.

[hillkwaj]

For bed temps with the PEI I've been using 60 for PLA, 80 for PETG, and 100 for ABS. Thise are basically what I used prior to PEl so I cant say theyve been optimized.

I find most things wont come off easily by hand until the bed cools below 50C. Above that I can knock most things cleanly off with a pallet knife albeit with some risk of damage.

The only thing I ever had that was really difficult to remove was a PETG piece where the first layer was heavily smooshed due to a bad z-stop setting. Wouldn't even pop off in a -15F freezer. Finally pried it off with a screwdriver. Real testament to the durability of the PEI that it survived me attacking it with razor blades and various metal tools - no sign at all of that incident.

[kazolar]

I find PETG doesn't need much higher than 55-60. (eSun) It comes off very easily, stays put while printing. ABS -- I'm at 95, about 60 for PLA as well.

[jdacal]

I'm getting one of these ready today. If I'm reading the posts correctly most of you are not using any type of adhesive, even on ABS?

Also, did you sand it after initial installation or use as is?

Thanks!

[kazolar]

I'm getting one of these ready today. If I'm reading the posts correctly most of you are not using any type of adhesive, even on ABS?

Also, did you sand it after initial installation or use as is?

Thanks!

Correct, no adhesive, no glue, no hairspray. In fact clean PEI bed with 99% alcohol between prints.

For TPE filaments - no heat, and a little cooking oil, or it sticks too well. Make sure to cleaning the oil off when you switch back to traditional filaments.

I've use, PLA, ABS, PETG, WoodFill, BronzeFill, TPU, NinjaFlex. No issues