The self-healing abilities of PETG (to a certain degree)

[u/N-V-N-D-O]

[u/CustodialSamurai]

It's an interesting observation. Sure, as was pointed out by another commenter, this isn't going to repair actual damage below the surface, but it's a neat trick if you want to clear up something cosmetic.

Kind of like the plastic stadium seating that can be visually "renewed" with a blowtorch. It's a gimmick, but if it solves a problem...

[u/picopau_ → u/CustodialSamurai]

I also saw that plastic stadium seat comment earlier today. Crazy stuff

[u/3gfisch → u/picopau_]

Which one?

[u/Ok-Swimming2411 → u/3gfisch]

They use large blow torch to flash heat white gray sun bleached layer of plastic on stadium seats

https://youtube.com/shorts/DSqEp1sffOw?si=wDY-CKnRvkqv7BNJ

[u/Jixey → u/picopau_]

I use it that trick on my old motorcycles plastic once a year. Makes it look almost brand new

[u/PMvE_NL → u/CustodialSamurai]

Yes its a nice cosmetic repair

[u/Underwater_Karma]

self healing

"Am I a joke to you?" - Torch

[u/oh-shit-oh-fuck]

Looks like the torch is healing it

[u/N-V-N-D-O → u/oh-shit-oh-fuck]

PETG seems to have a memory effect and whenever I get a scratch or dent into a print, I revert it by torching it a little.

[u/MooseBoys → u/N-V-N-D-O]

I doubt it's a memory effect; more likely it's just that the models you've tried it on have lower natural curvature than a typical blemish. If you tried this on something with sharp points or other fine detail, it would probably smooth them out even if it wasn't damaged to begin with.

[u/Lazyfish64 → u/MooseBoys]

Priting some petg parts, complicated 2" npt. Fixed it after seeing this

[u/N-V-N-D-O → u/MooseBoys]

I’m sorry to say, but not quite. This works with slight dents and scratches on all kind of part-surfaces (at least with PETG). I have saved a few prints with this method over the last years.

[u/kylerayner_ → u/N-V-N-D-O]

I wonder if the curvature is affecting this. Is it the same if it’s just a flat cube with a damaged side?

[u/N-V-N-D-O → u/kylerayner_]

Same. As if is remembers it previous printed form. This of course only works to an extend but most of the times, the defect is gone after heating.

[u/Inside-Specialist-55]

Torches are amazing tools for anyone who 3Dp prints, I use just good ol PLA and use it to get rid of small imperfections and especially with light stringing and to make overhangs look smoother.

[u/kidphc → u/Inside-Specialist-55]

Same here. Does a great job getting rid of light scratches. Also use it to shine up the part. A bit too much heat and the part warps badly. So moderation is the key.

[u/Autocannoneer]

Certain degree celsius or Fahrenheit?

[u/criogh → u/Autocannoneer]

Kelvin, we like SI

[u/elboltonero → u/criogh]

Rankine, we don't want anyone understanding

[u/methyloranz → u/criogh]

Then you should know that Kelvin is an absolute scale and doesn't HAVE degrees, just Kelvins. Yeah, I must be fun at parties :D

[u/Blackdragon1400]

THIS JUST IN.

Plastic Melts.

MORE TONIGHT AT 10

[u/Makaphin]

I actually need a torch like that. Do you have a product name for it?

[u/dstewar68 → u/Makaphin]

If you live in the US any menards will have them for under $5 near the front by the registers.

[u/N-V-N-D-O → u/Makaphin]

Nope. But any similar jet-lighter should do.

[u/EzraBones]

I use heat guns instead of flame torches. I have a pencil heat gun for smaller print parts and a pistol grip heat gun for large print parts. No flames needed?

[u/N-V-N-D-O → u/EzraBones]

No Flame-Thrower yet? 😁

[u/Practical-Dish-4522]

I love that you guys have discovered melting.

[u/N-V-N-D-O → u/Practical-Dish-4522]

When a flattened out, previous round bead of filament goes back to its previous state, I wouldn’t call it “melting”. I should do some macro shots so we can all see.

[u/Smoothie_3D]

If I want my life to be held on a wire, I want that wire to be made of PETG

[u/N-V-N-D-O → u/Smoothie_3D]

XD

[u/codiecotton]

Annoyingly buy the time I get round to doing this, it's going to be dented beyond repair. 😥

[u/SSGuns]

Neat

[u/RainStormLou]

That's a great way to make it look stable while the structural integrity is actually completely gone. Also, you're putting the torch way too close. The heat extends much further. You're a second away from deforming the print, and actually hitting it with that part of the flame is overheating everything around it. I only use my torch for wisps, but at a much greater distance. The "sharp" part of the flame never touches the actual print unless I'm intentionally softening it. Hitting it that hot will likely just create warping of layer adhesion isn't perfect.

[u/linkinthesink2 → u/RainStormLou]

🤓

[u/RainStormLou → u/linkinthesink2]

I don't care if you think I'm a dork, I'm right lol. It's a cosmetic fix which is useless for functional prints most of the time. If you have something worthwhile to say, use your words.

[u/Sim-Alley → u/RainStormLou]

🤪

[u/Angel_OfSolitude]

Lol, Roman plastic out here.

[u/create360 → u/[deleted]]

I deleted it. Was supposed to be funny. I see now it was just mean. Sorry