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Solvents for cleaning Resin Prints

Something to rinse away the remaining uncured resin so the printed model can be fully cured without additional blemishes.



Isopropyl Alcohol, Isopropanol, Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropanol)

  • This is the most commonly and easily available alcohol in the US, every drug store and market carries this alcohol
  • Works adequately to clean normal resins
    • Elegoo Standard resins
    • Elegoo ABS-Like resins
  • Works poorly to clean some other resins
    • Siraya Tech Blu - Nylon Black
  • Many people complain about the smell being more objectionable compared to Ethyl Alcohol

Isopropyl-Alcohol-Compound.jpg



Ethyl AlcoholAlcohol, (Ethanol)Ethanol, Liquid Courage

  • Available in the US at most Home Improvement, Paint Supply, or Hardware stores (Liquor stores are too expensive!)
  • Alcohol found in Liquor, but often "denatured" by adding poisonous Methanol to prevent human consumption
  • Works great to clean all resins I have tried!
  • Cleans better than Isopropyl but Ethyl can degrade or destroy the plastic on some washing stations
  • Using anhydrous alcohol didn't seem to make any difference in my testing, 120-200 proof seemed similar enough

Belle-Chemical-Hand-Sanitizer-Grade-Ethanol-95-Ethanol-190-Proof.jpg



WaterWater, (Agua)Agua, Rain

  • The most available solvent on the planet, and safe enough to drink!
  • My experience with water soluble resins is limited
  • Resin containing water can NOT be dumped anywhere
    • Can be taken to Hazmat disposal facility
    • Can be left in the sun to dry and cure if the quantity isn't too large

1-h2o-formula-made-by-oxygen-bubbles-in-water-oleksiy-maksymenko.jpg



Methyl AlcoholAlcohol, (Methanol)Methanol, Wood Spirits

  • This is a new idea to me, we will see if it bears fruit

methanol.jpg

 



Acetone, Fingernail Polish Remover

  • This is a new idea to me, we will see if it bears fruit