First layer adhesion

First layer adhesion Hello. I'm very new to 3D printing, I'm still assembling my RepRap, but already printed some parts. I'm using a piece of glass over the heatbed. I've seen much people complaining about poor adhesion of first layer and I had an idea. If I scratch the glass with a sandpaper, this would help in the first layer? I believe it will using the "logic of the things", but, is it a good idea? Please tell me what you think. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,835803#msg-835803 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:55:13 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,836108#msg-836108 Re: First layer adhesion https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,836108#msg-836108
How thick is your poly carbonate sheet? You mount it magnetically to a different surface? Etc ?]]> obelisk79 General Sat, 13 Oct 2018 10:26:29 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,836106#msg-836106 Re: First layer adhesion https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,836106#msg-836106 But the magnetic foil is pretty heat resistant, Doug has had it up to 80C with no loss of strength.]]> Lykle General Sat, 13 Oct 2018 09:29:16 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,836089#msg-836089 Re: First layer adhesion https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,836089#msg-836089

Quote
Lykle
Doug gave me a piece of polycarbonate and I have to say, wow.
No more adhesion problems.
In fact, I needed to sand it with 60 grit to slightly reduce the actual touching surface. No heat, it just sticks.
Used it with PLA, ABS and PETg so far. Oh and Ninjaflex.
Totally trouble free.

Also, because he was so kind as to give me some magnetic film with it, it is easy to pop off the parts.

There is no problem with the heat from the heatbed?]]> chicodarave General Sat, 13 Oct 2018 06:02:42 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,836044#msg-836044 Re: First layer adhesion https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,836044#msg-836044 No more adhesion problems.
In fact, I needed to sand it with 60 grit to slightly reduce the actual touching surface. No heat, it just sticks.
Used it with PLA, ABS and PETg so far. Oh and Ninjaflex.
Totally trouble free.

Also, because he was so kind as to give me some magnetic film with it, it is easy to pop off the parts.]]> Lykle General Fri, 12 Oct 2018 13:35:41 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,836010#msg-836010 Re: First layer adhesion https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,836010#msg-836010 Then I picked up the vinegar method from dc42 and now have no problems. My method is:-

Clean the glass with fine wire wool
Put it in the dishwasher on a hot wash (alternatively hand dishwasher and rinse with boiling water)
Wipe with distilled malt vinegar. - don't use kitchen tissue as it contains oils to make surfaces gleam.

I think that the reason that glass is so tricky is that the adhesion is down to stuff that happens at a molecular level and most cleaning methods poison the surface.

Mike]]> leadinglights General Fri, 12 Oct 2018 04:51:54 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,835990#msg-835990 Re: First layer adhesion https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,835990#msg-835990
I am sure vinegar or alcohol work great but I found that buying a bottle of eye glasses lens cleaner and a micro fiber towel from Walmart vision shop works great. It doesn't leave a residue, it isn't strong smelling and as a bonus it reminds me to clean my glasses occasionally. Just remember the hot end will melt the microfiber cloth.]]> LFG General Thu, 11 Oct 2018 20:48:29 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,835807#msg-835807 Re: First layer adhesion https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,835807#msg-835807
This works well for several brands of PLA that I have tried, including RigidInk and eSun.

Alternatively, stick a sheet of PEI or PrintBite on top of the glass.]]> dc42 General Tue, 09 Oct 2018 02:55:37 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,835806#msg-835806 Re: First layer adhesion https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,835806#msg-835806
you create lots of ^^^^ on the glass, giving even less surface area to stick to

clean your glass with isopropyl alcohol and make sure your bed is level and first layer is correct height.

finger print on the glass will make it lift every time.]]> Dust General Tue, 09 Oct 2018 02:50:30 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,835805#msg-835805 Re: First layer adhesion https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,835805#msg-835805

Quote

If I scratch the glass with a sandpaper, this would help in the first layer?

not one bit will that help...
your option are kapton tape you get a mirror like finish but not 100% prints can/may curl and lift, glue stick another had a lot of success with pla but it gets messy over time..
the best option and one I stick with (:P) is thermal plastic build plate from andornot build plate there other brands with pei sheets like gecko... now the problem with these thermal plastic sheets they work extremely well , where you can end up fighting and wrecking the Z axis, not so much of problem for you if stick with glass and plastic sheet but the other option with makes removing prints child play flexible bed thou am not sure how good that is with ABS or the higher temp filament.]]> jinx General Tue, 09 Oct 2018 02:47:38 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,835803#msg-835803 First layer adhesion https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,835803,835803#msg-835803
I'm very new to 3D printing, I'm still assembling my RepRap, but already printed some parts.
I'm using a piece of glass over the heatbed.
I've seen much people complaining about poor adhesion of first layer and I had an idea.
If I scratch the glass with a sandpaper, this would help in the first layer?
I believe it will using the "logic of the things", but, is it a good idea?
Please tell me what you think.]]> chicodarave General Tue, 09 Oct 2018 02:31:03 -0400