LW-PLA and paint
10-20-2021, 08:14 AM
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Ex UK Brit now in Latvia west coast - Ventspils
Posts: 12,857
LW-PLA and paint
I've been sprayiong PLA and LW-PLA with spray cans and usually no problems ... I keep can at distance to reduce the level of propellant that hits the item.
Yesterday I decided to use Acrylic Metallic Silver for a Vampire in LW-PLA ..... the PLA within minutes had softened and warped ........ overnight a few splits had appeared where layers separated and edges turned.
I have never seen this before.
I have used both normal spray Acrylic and Enamel without trouble. I can only assume a combo of the metallic and propellant caused this.
Yesterday I decided to use Acrylic Metallic Silver for a Vampire in LW-PLA ..... the PLA within minutes had softened and warped ........ overnight a few splits had appeared where layers separated and edges turned.
I have never seen this before.
I have used both normal spray Acrylic and Enamel without trouble. I can only assume a combo of the metallic and propellant caused this.
01-04-2022, 04:18 PM
#2
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Cheshire, UK
Posts: 2,081
The foaming agent in LW-PLA makes for a thin skin which in turn means any degradation caused by the paint will be more significant.
In addition I think you will find 'metallic' finishes use more solvent in the mix to ensure the particles in the paint have time to 'settle' to give the required finish. The solvent is just as likely to attack a plastic as the propellent.
In addition I think you will find 'metallic' finishes use more solvent in the mix to ensure the particles in the paint have time to 'settle' to give the required finish. The solvent is just as likely to attack a plastic as the propellent.
