Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff Hi! Just wanted to share something I discovered a few days ago, after some experimentations... [b]I'm now able to print on a glass without any additionnal stuff (ABS juice, sugar, hair spray...)![/b] The secret: just sand the surface! Ok, that's not an easy task, as you have to take big sandpaper (I found 24), and scrap for a long time (glass is hard!). But the result is really amazing! This idea came from the new hotbed made from ceramic. I wanted to give a try with a bathroom ceramic. It didn't work at all, so I tried to sand it. It is not bad, but I was still having problems. So, I gave a try on a little mirror I previously used with Kapton. And it worked! Does anyone else already tried this? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217137#msg-217137 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 04:21:36 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,359089#msg-359089 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,359089#msg-359089 It is also conveniently 200mm x 300mm x 4mm. I will try it out on ABS.]]> dave3d Reprappers Thu, 22 May 2014 14:52:36 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,358923#msg-358923 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,358923#msg-358923
some pictures [cee.dy.fi]]]> JPLehtinen Reprappers Thu, 22 May 2014 07:32:32 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,224754#msg-224754 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,224754#msg-224754 gwbcomm Reprappers Sun, 07 Jul 2013 07:12:20 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,223328#msg-223328 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,223328#msg-223328
Did someone finally try glass with "grid" of 0.05mm or 0.1mm dimples like mentionned above ? Or the combination of glass/pattern + magic juice ?



SkapiN]]> skapinthefourb Reprappers Tue, 02 Jul 2013 11:13:28 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,222467#msg-222467 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,222467#msg-222467 > @mondo50m, as said, frosted glass is made with a
> chemical proces, and I think it won't be deep
> enough. But I plan to give it a try, as soon as I
> find some.

Juste tried frosted glass: it works too!!! Maybe not as well as Kapton/PET taped-bed, especially with very tall parts, but for simple parts, it is far enough. As said, I don't even use raft/brim.]]> fma Reprappers Sat, 29 Jun 2013 08:53:28 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,218137#msg-218137 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,218137#msg-218137 fma Reprappers Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:56:59 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,218078#msg-218078 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,218078#msg-218078
If you're careful, you could get more. If the bubbles/creases get bad in one area, you can also just plate the print in a different sector of the glass that is fresh and smooth.

If i'm being impatient, I run my glass (borosilicate) under cold water until the print releases on the other side. If you let it cool completely on its own, the prints generally pop right off the PET, and will limit creases and air bubbles.

If you do use a scraper, just make sure you cut or file the edges off the blade and you shouldn't nick or cut the film. It's much more durable than kapton.

Also - if you use juice on the PET tape you will have to work hard to release the print - so for prints that typically warp, juice on the PET will work very well. Gives it a very nice, glossy finish.]]> cope413 Reprappers Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:08:33 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,218037#msg-218037 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,218037#msg-218037 aduy Reprappers Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:27:58 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217997#msg-217997 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217997#msg-217997 cope413 Reprappers Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:10:39 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217928#msg-217928 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217928#msg-217928 -------------------------------------------------------
> [...]
> I do think it is funny at people are building
> bigger and bigger repraps without addressing the
> bed sticking issue. Only gets worse the larger
> you go.

I agree. I tend to print only 1 part at a time, to avoid wasting ABS when something goes wrong. I only print several parts when they are too small, and lead to a short time layer. Having several parts give time to cold down a little bit.]]> fma Reprappers Thu, 13 Jun 2013 06:29:37 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217921#msg-217921 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217921#msg-217921
I do think it is funny at people are building bigger and bigger repraps without addressing the bed sticking issue. Only gets worse the larger you go.]]> lotw Reprappers Thu, 13 Jun 2013 06:06:33 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217892#msg-217892 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217892#msg-217892
But while sanding, I had to push very hard on the glass, and I was on a soft support. I though I added some constraints to the glass.

If I can find the tool I was talking about, I think it will avoid that.

But the glass didn't explode ;)]]> fma Reprappers Thu, 13 Jun 2013 03:44:33 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217888#msg-217888 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217888#msg-217888
Ben]]> plexer Reprappers Thu, 13 Jun 2013 03:15:51 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217878#msg-217878 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217878#msg-217878 -------------------------------------------------------
> You can get the PET film here...

F...k!

"Unfortunately, access to this particular item has been blocked due to legal restrictions in some countries. We are blocking your viewing in an effort to prevent restricted items from being displayed. Regrettably, in some cases, we may prevent users from accessing items that are not within the scope of said restrictions because of limitations of existing technology. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause, and we hope you may find other items of interest on eBay."

Is this OK:

[www.ebay.com]

or:

[www.ebay.com]]]> fma Reprappers Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:25:00 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217877#msg-217877 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217877#msg-217877
About sanding glass, I first sanded it with fine sandpaper, and it does not work at all. It is not only the surface, but also the deep of the stripes. The best would be to be able to make deep but narrow stripes. But glass is very strong, and it is very hard to sand it correctly by hand.

I will try to find a rotating tool like this:



but made with very strong strands; this way, with a drill, it will be possible to make nice stripes, in multiples directions. If someone has a link to find something like that...

@mondo50m, as said, frosted glass is made with a chemical proces, and I think it won't be deep enough. But I plan to give it a try, as soon as I find some.
]]> fma Reprappers Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:18:00 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217740#msg-217740 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217740#msg-217740 mondo50m Reprappers Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:13:41 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217737#msg-217737 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217737#msg-217737
[www.ebay.com]]]> cope413 Reprappers Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:06:39 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217735#msg-217735 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217735#msg-217735
Second, have you not tried PET film?

Not only does it stick well, it's very affordable. A roll (33M x 200mm) will set you back about $60 and will give you thousands of prints.

IME it works better and is more durable than kapton. And depending on the footprint of the part, you likely won't need juice]]> cope413 Reprappers Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:59:55 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217658#msg-217658 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217658#msg-217658
Maybe a 5mm plate? But it would cost a lot!!!]]> fma Reprappers Wed, 12 Jun 2013 07:51:22 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217653#msg-217653 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217653#msg-217653 -------------------------------------------------------
> It may work with simple aluminium plate? Easier to
> sand!


>
> I was also wondering if PEEK or other
> heat/mechanical-resistant plastic would do the
> trick?

like kapton ;)]]> Gerard Choinka Reprappers Wed, 12 Jun 2013 07:42:49 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217651#msg-217651 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217651#msg-217651
I was also wondering if PEEK or other heat/mechanical-resistant plastic would do the trick?]]> fma Reprappers Wed, 12 Jun 2013 07:39:39 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217626#msg-217626 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217626#msg-217626 lotw Reprappers Wed, 12 Jun 2013 06:11:15 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217602#msg-217602 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217602#msg-217602
I'm looking for caorse (24) sand paper for my Festool orbital sander, but I can't find some...]]> fma Reprappers Wed, 12 Jun 2013 03:59:27 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217426#msg-217426 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217426#msg-217426 xiando Reprappers Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:18:41 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217420#msg-217420 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217420#msg-217420 fma Reprappers Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:56:38 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217352#msg-217352 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217352#msg-217352 ThanhTran Reprappers Tue, 11 Jun 2013 07:32:50 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217300#msg-217300 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217300#msg-217300
Flat items like the glider would stick well.]]> Yvan Reprappers Tue, 11 Jun 2013 01:39:28 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217295#msg-217295 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217295#msg-217295
Gerard, I didn't print very complicated parts yet. Can you point me to a simple but hard-to-stick thing to make a test?

PS: I printed this plane, without problem.]]> fma Reprappers Tue, 11 Jun 2013 01:09:55 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217287#msg-217287 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217287#msg-217287
I've been printing on bare glass for over a year now. Never tried anything on the glass as an adhesion promoter. Funny thing, I just used hair spray as a release agent for a fibreglass/epoxy mold I just did. :)

As for bare glass, I find lots of heat is needed, and if it doesn't stick on the first pass, I just try again.

How about sanding with a fine metal grade sandpaper?]]> Yvan Reprappers Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:47:31 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217235#msg-217235 Re: Printing ABS on glass without any additionnal stuff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,217137,217235#msg-217235 Gerard Choinka Reprappers Mon, 10 Jun 2013 17:23:08 -0400