I've recently installed an MK3 heatbed on my 3d printer, and I've read that we could print directly on the aluminium side. I've understood that directly means without glass on top of the bed, but do I need to but kapton tape on the aluminium (or glue, or ...) ? If I have to put such a thing, what could I use to clean the aluminium of the heatbed ? Thanks a lot. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,716747,716747#msg-716747 Sun, 07 Jun 2026 03:26:12 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,716747,717105#msg-717105 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,716747,717105#msg-717105 obewan Prusa i3 and variants Tue, 25 Oct 2016 07:43:54 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,716747,717025#msg-717025 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,716747,717025#msg-717025
I simply coat the bed with two or three coats of cheap and nasty super hold hairspray. This wears off very slowly and eventually loses its effect, at which point I clean the bed plate off with surgical alcohol and re-coat it. I have no problem with printing PLA for which I use a bed temperature of 60c. For ABS I print with a skirt and the bed set at 100c. The filament sticks well and I don't get any lifting during printing, although it is best to avoid a lot of 100% infill as with any printing surface.

ABS remains firmly held until the bed temperature drops below 70c, at which point the print can simply be lifted off. PLA can often be lifted off when the bed has dropped to room temperature, although sometimes it requires a bit of help to separate.

I've been printing fine this way for the last month and the finish obtained on the underside is excellent. I'm even using 0.2mm for the first layer thickness and no over-width on the first layer. I do take advantage of slowing down the print for the first layer.

I don't use auto levelling and the bed is simply adjusted using the sheet of paper method.]]> Supermec Prusa i3 and variants Tue, 25 Oct 2016 02:35:41 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,716747,716828#msg-716828 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,716747,716828#msg-716828
Maybe I should try to adjust the heatbed or the z-min.

I'll try to post a video to illustrate what happens.]]> bw_syl Prusa i3 and variants Mon, 24 Oct 2016 10:00:56 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,716747,716818#msg-716818 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,716747,716818#msg-716818 Just like any other substrate, you can print directly on it. ;)

Try it? I hope the first layer works. Corners don't lift, etc..

Alcohol and acetone will always work for cleaning.]]> Veesta Prusa i3 and variants Mon, 24 Oct 2016 09:37:13 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,716747,716747#msg-716747 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,716747,716747#msg-716747
I've understood that directly means without glass on top of the bed, but do I need to but kapton tape on the aluminium (or glue, or ...) ?

If I have to put such a thing, what could I use to clean the aluminium of the heatbed ?

Thanks a lot.]]> bw_syl Prusa i3 and variants Mon, 24 Oct 2016 05:47:47 -0400