Finishing guides
Make FDM prints look product-ready.
Practical surface finishing articles for makers who want cleaner PLA and PETG parts, stronger product perception, and better listings.
Latest articles
Sanding
How to Sand PLA 3D Prints: The Complete Guide
Start with P240, end with P2000. The exact grit sequence that removes layer lines without warping your geometry.
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Polishing
5 min read
Best Polishing Compounds for PLA: M105 vs HC400 vs Menzerna
Which compound removes micro-scratches fastest without melting PLA. Tested on Dremel Stylo 2050 at 8,000–12,000 RPM.
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Finishing
4 min read
Matte vs Gloss Finish on 3D Prints — Which Sells Better?
Gloss reads as premium in photos. Matte reads as intentional in hand. Here's how to decide based on your listing type.
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Selling
6 min read
How to Price Finished 3D Prints on Etsy
Your surface finish unlocks a different pricing tier. The formula for moving from $9 commodity to $47 premium product.
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Surface finish
9 min read
How to Make 3D Prints Smooth
The complete sequence: coarse sanding, filler primer, wet refinement, and clear coat. Each stage hands off to the next — skip one and the surface shows it.
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PETG finishing
7 min read
How to Sand PETG 3D Prints
PETG gums up faster than PLA under friction and heat. The grit sequence and wet-sanding transition that keeps the surface clean without smearing.
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Technique
6 min read
Wet Sanding 3D Prints: When and How
Dry sanding levels the surface. Wet sanding refines it. Know the transition point and technique that produces a finer, cleaner result from 400 grit upward.
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Primer
6 min read
Best Filler Primer for 3D Prints
Primer is a refinement step, not a rescue step. Apply it at the right stage, sand between coats, and it produces a paint-ready surface that holds color evenly.
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Painting
8 min read
How to Spray Paint 3D Prints
Thin coats, proper cure time, and a clear coat for durability. The spray paint sequence that looks like product finish instead of a painted prototype.
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Removing Layer Lines on Curved Surfaces
Coming soon
Polishing Compounds for PLA: Which Work Best
Coming soon
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