User's Manual Part 2

CHAPTER 8. OPERATIONAL TIPS 210
8.2.1 Making the build plate sticky
You should ensure that th e build plate is a bit “sticky”. What
sort of stickiness works best depends a bit on what type of fil-
ament you are using. The filament that Polar 3D sells is PLA
(Poly L a ct i c Acid) filament, which sticks well to certai n brands
of hair spray, to the glue in many common glue sticks, or to
ordinary blue painter’s tape.
Hair spray is particularly quick and easy to apply. Aqua
Net Extra Hold works well; or look for any other hair spray
conta i n i n g VA/crotonates/vinyl neodeca n at e copolymer. After
applying a genero u s layer to a new or freshly cleaned build plate,
you need only lightly “touch up” the hair spray for additional
prints; for a video demonstration, see:
http s : // www. i n s ta g ram . co m /p / BJB aWw rj CwF/
As the hair spray will tend to build up over time, every so
often, (every few weeks, depending on how heavily used the
printer is), clean the build plate with hot water and paper towels,
and then reapply a fresh generous layer of hair spray.
But if glue sticks are more convenient for your classroom, they
work too, though they may result in an object sticking too well
if a heavy layer is applied – try to apply a very thin, even coat to
the bui l d plate. Any PVA (Pol yv i nyl acetate) based glue stick,
including Elmer’s washable glue sticks/Purple Disappearing glue
stick s, or Scotch glue sticks, should work.
Alayerofbluepainter’stapeonthebuildsurfaceisanother
way to achieve an adhesive surface, though applying it is liable
to take a bit more tim e. (Also, s om et i m es an object will start