STOP Watch First - How To Clean Resin Printers - 3D Printing Beginner Tips - How to Clean the VAT

STOP Watch First - How To Clean Resin Printers - 3D Printing Beginner Tips - How to Clean the VAT
This video goes over the method for cleaning out the VAT or Resin Tank for any resin 3d printers. This was is great for avoiding damage to the FEP and screen.
This video was inspired from channels like Miniac Painting, Black Magic Craft, TheDMsCraft, Real Terrain Hobbies, geek gaming scenics, and Eric's Hobby Workshop.
3d RESIN PRINT FAILURES and SOLUTIONS not sticking to build plate sticking to fep, exposure settings:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKG6foWCd6d6ask
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0:00 - Intro
0:16 - Work station
0:48 - Recovering Old Resin
2:31 - Cleaning the VAT
4:08 - Lubricating that VAT

[@Laerun]

I'd honestly recommend only using silicone/rubber squeegee to scrape the resin out. Even the plastic ones will scratch and degrade the fep over time.

[@FacilityD20]

I will pick one up

[@Laerun]

@@FacilityD20 www.amazon.ca/EEFUN-purposed-Silicone-Squeegee-installation/dp/B076FT2MJ3/ref=mp_s_a_1_18?dchild=1&keywords=silicone+squeegee&qid=1625701575&sprefix=silicone+sq&sr=8-18 These are the ones I use but unfortunately they aren't in stock atm.... They cut in half really easy for small vats like my MARS.

[@unwrittentales2530]

@@FacilityD20 I kindly suggest to DO IT as @Matt Collins suggest. 2nd time ever i use my new printer i badly scratched the surface with the plastic squeegee. it's still usable i think (im less than amauter) but im considering to buy a spare just in case.

[@mau48310]

Honestly amazing video , the basics here are so important and honestly can prevent costly mistakes tytyty

[@FacilityD20]

Thanks.

[@svenjones4371]

Only issue I would advise against is cleaning the FEP with Iso Alc. It might leave a foggy finish on FEP

[@Optikification]

I leave resin in for months and just stir before use. Only time I clean the vat is after a failed print and to do that I get a cured piece of support and raft and place it in a corner of the vat in the resin then hit the tank clean function 2x 30 seconds to cure a bottom later in the vat. The slowly tug on the support to loosen the cured resin mat out of the vat which removes all failed print blobs. No scraping or washing = FEP lives longer.

[@FacilityD20]

For sure! That will work

[@frankn4576]

good idea about using a cured support piece

[@RisingApe]

Just grabbed my first printer, great video Troy

[@FacilityD20]

Thanks. If you have any questions just msg me.

[@stephon972]

Which printer did you get

[@RisingApe]

@@stephon972 I grabbed a HALOT one by Creality... loved it so far, some crispy prints and super easy to use

[@TheCelticGoldsmith]

Sweet video, thanks for posting! Enroute to learning how to make rings to cast.

[@FacilityD20]

Glad it was helpful!

[@antoniovedivici6202]

suddenly all makes sense... the filters kinda confused me at first sight of my new printer lol great vid

[@FacilityD20]

Thank you

[@lacrauzorro]

Thank you for the video.

[@FacilityD20]

You're welcome

[@David-ey9jg]

Excellent thanks

[@FacilityD20]

You are welcome

[@BlackRavenA7X]

Just did my first resin print last night. And didn't know about the ptfe lubricant thing, and omg I could hear the print peeling from the the ptfe sheet all night from behind 2 doors, it was so loud 🤣🤣

[@FacilityD20]

That is a good sound it means it working! haha

[@BlackRavenA7X]

@@FacilityD20 yeah first print came out surprisingly good. I just want expecting it to be so loud 🤣🤣

[@damonvonschweikert131]

Thanks, you rock!

[@FacilityD20]

You're welcome!

[@bluestreek4784]

Very good info for the beginners, great work my friend. And if you don't mind me saying, this process is pretty much the same for water washable resin as well.

[@FacilityD20]

Yes, that is what I had in there I this video.

[@BeardClipper]

@@FacilityD20 why did you bother with alcohol then? :D it would have been good to make that clear maybe - alcohol is what causes all the smells and that can put a lot of people off resin printing but if you use water washable the environmental issues are almost all resolved :)

[@FacilityD20]

@@BeardClipper I find it gets any stuck partials off. I only use it when I don't plan on filling the vat back up for a while. I don't mind the smell of alcohol, but the small of the resin is a little more annoying for me.

[@yauck1]

Great info. Thanks for sharing. How often should you clean the VAT?

[@FacilityD20]

Not that often I only do it after fails now

[@jeffbrewster4024]

Just bought my first printer. This video was very informative. You must be from nfld!

[@FacilityD20]

That is awesome. Yes i am from Newfoundland.

[@jeffbrewster4024]

@FacilityD20 I thought so, I'm in nb but I've got family in nfld.

[@lanzer22]

Many manufactures had warned about using the plastic spatula on the FEP film. Please use a silicone spatula instead. The less scratches, the easier it is for prints to not get suck to the film and break off from supports.

[@FacilityD20]

Yes i have heard this as well.

[@kursedklown]

been printing since last summer, only changed FEP once and that was because I used IPA to clean it, it made FEP cloudy. Now I've been using built in tank cleaner and it works, but right now after I inspected FEP it had a bit cloudiness in it, but not too bad, probably from tank cleaning since I have to push it from the others side (yes, I wear nitrile gloves), might gonna start using the support technique everyone is talking about, so I don't have to use my fingers to remove resin sheet after cleaning.. we'll see what happens after this current print.

[@FacilityD20]

I agree i am hesitant to use the self cleaning myself

[@PJownsyoursoul]

Helpful video - thanks! Just curious, how long can I leave un-used resin in the vat for? Would love if I didn't have to syphon and clean after every print (just bought one, total newbie). Thanks!

[@FacilityD20]

A long time. There is a video on my channel about that as well

[@3DJapan]

I've left mine in there for months with no problem, just make sure to stir it up before printing again.

[@MickMontgomery]

Curious what brand of shop towel you have in this video. Can't seem to find them anywhere.

[@FacilityD20]

Just what i found at the hardware store. Nothing special, i look for lint free.

[@3DJapan]

Honestly I just use a paper towel and I've never had a problem after years of resin printing.

[@FacilityD20]

Can be a bit hard on the FEP but it will work

[@gameon_ct]

Idk what any of this means but cool beans.

[@FacilityD20]

That's cool.

[@UnitBeerMonsta]

Once were aligator hunter now 3D printer man - troy , swamp people

[@FacilityD20]

I don't know what you are talking about but I like this comment.

[@UnitBeerMonsta]

@@FacilityD20 haha sorry you resembled a clean-cut troy from the show "swamp people" haha

[@FacilityD20]

@@UnitBeerMonsta I'm going to have to check it out haha

[@user-eh6hn4md7s]

Which gloves are you using in this video? Nitrile Powder Free? or latex ones.

[@FacilityD20]

Sorry I can no longer remember...

[@connorthatguy3253]

Needing a fep lube means your exposure times are off, all you're doing is using a crutch when you could just tune your printer in. That stuff contaminates resin fast.

[@FacilityD20]

exposure can be hard to lock down that is for sure.

[@lordraxta]

So I´m about to buy a resin printer and i see i can leave the resin in the vat for sometime without issues?

[@FacilityD20]

Yes, i have left if for like 6 weeks before

[@dadsrcworkbench1322]

Where did you get the shop towels from?

[@FacilityD20]

I got them from the hardware store, Home Hardware here in Newfoundland

[@triceratops2653]

What do you do with the cloth once you’re done?

[@FacilityD20]

Throw it away

[@arthurprather6720]

Before throw away, lay those cloth at flat and use UV light devices or at sunlight to cure "wet" resin inside cloth.

[@TriShockz]

I had a buddy give me grief for aerosol lube, I had the same can and all. told me to avoid a can and use those mini superlube sticks. In your humble opinion, does it even matter?

[@FacilityD20]

For me I have noticed a difference, I also noticed that if I have a failed print stuck to the fep it seems to come off easier. For me it's worth the few seconds it takes to apply it.

[@jhyenixon1530]

okay so all throughout the video you were VERY insistent on never getting resin on the screen, i have a screen protector on it, but i think my FEP screen wasnt fitted properly so resin leaked all over the screen protector. ive ordered a new FEP cause i was an idiot and ruined it on my first try, but should i order a new screen protector aswell and thoroughly clean everything?

[@FacilityD20]

Get a new protector especially if the resin that was wasted on the screen was cured from the light of the screen.

[@gremlin60]

when i had a resin printer, i noticed the film started to get a foggy look. think it may came from the alcohol. i used Isopropanol . did i use the wrong alcohol? will it affect the print? uv light not getting through is?

[@FacilityD20]

No, that will happen over time, eventually you will have to replace the film

[@mizokia]

Why is alcohol touching the film of the vat?

[@gremlin60]

@@mizokia to clean it between prints

[@TomTrustworthy]

I have resin cured to my fep film, does anybody know a good way to get that off with out damaging the fep?

[@FacilityD20]

Fill it up a little with IPA let is soak, try to rub the back of it with your hands and gently try to pick it off. If it is really bad you might have to replace the fep

[@TomTrustworthy]

@@FacilityD20 Thanks, I hope i can get it off.. I've printed 2 things so far on this fep and I'd hate to have to replace it already.

[@smokeduv]

If your printer has a vat cleaning option, use it. If not, try running the LCD test for like 30 seconds and then just release the cured film on the vat. It will also take out the cured resin there. You can also use old cured supports from a previous print and put it in one corner and do the LCD test or cure option. Take out the vat and carefully push from beneath the vat with your fingers (not your nails) to release the film from the fep, then you just pull the old support and the film will release with it. Fep clean and good as new.

[@Jenkans]

Do your shop towels scratch the FEP? Or are they softer like microfiber clothes?

[@FacilityD20]

They are soft and lint free which is what I like about them

[@Jenkans]

​@@FacilityD20 nice! do they have a brand name? I'm having trouble finding something similar.

[@FacilityD20]

@@Jenkans not that I know of, they are generic, should find them at most hardware stores.

[@Jenkans]

@@FacilityD20 thanks

[@samex97]

Do you reuse the wipes?

[@FacilityD20]

Not the one that have Resin on them, only the ones that have IPA

[@peterjigstad9755]

04:39

[@FacilityD20]

na, I was gentle lol

[@QuiniansBudgetCrafts]

ya missed a puddle on the front of the machine and then slid the vat over it possibly dragging it over the screen. Might wanna give that a check

[@FacilityD20]

You made me watch the video again haha... the scree was clean. I have since had this off again after this video all good

[@1937Brett]

Where do you get the filters?

[@FacilityD20]

Hardware store

[@David-ey9jg]

I didn’t realise you can leave your resin in the vat for 3 weeks!

[@FacilityD20]

I have left it for a lot longer lol

[@cosmickatamari]

How often should you do this?

[@FacilityD20]

I do it when I change resin colors or brands, or when I know I will not be printing for a few weeks. Also after failures that stick to the film.

[@Dragonninja904]

We're can I get some of those tows

[@FacilityD20]

Hardware store

[@matthewsmall8009]

Elbow!

[@FacilityD20]

haha thanks for watching

[@ncblu3216]

my vat is definitely scratched totally hell and I been scraping away with the spatula that came with the printer and now none of my prints been sticking smh

[@FacilityD20]

That will do it. There not to bad to change out

[@ncblu3216]

@@FacilityD20 I'm buying a new one and new screen today smh

[@technoartfest8708]

You can use a hair dry air with cautious moderation , into it melt the resin for very easier removal. In combination with the yellow tool to help detach the stuck resin in the FEP or in LCD screen ,that makes them look dirty. after 5 minutes or so with the hair drier , on top of the resin you can detach the resin entirely , leave in one piece and if it was pancake and it will take from the FEB or LCD 99.8% of the resin . After that Handywipes or microfiber cloth for the final touches.

[@FacilityD20]

Thanks for the tips!

[@1937Brett]

What about the pad above?

[@FacilityD20]

hardware store as well

[@RICK_MCN]

So Iv got a question for anyone here I got one from a friend and this guy gave it to me and let’s just say it went everywhere down in side of my machine does anyone have a recommendation? On how to clean this or is it trash? I don’t know please can someone help me

[@FacilityD20]

Try using some IPA to clean it off. If it's not on the light, and you can't clean it, put it outside and just let it cure in the sun onto the machine. All my peinter are getting full of resin too.

[@devil_samuraix6176]

will this printer very smelly resin toxin when printing in process?

[@FacilityD20]

Personally, I don't find that bad.

[@Andonchoto]

i stopped using alcohol, just warm water does the trick boss

[@FacilityD20]

Thanks, I have had mix results with this, I used that for a long time, but since returned to IPA

[@weirdguy564]

Rather than use the plastic scraper that came with the printer I see people use rubber spatulas. The spoon shaped ones in particular.

[@FacilityD20]

Yes, plastic can cause damage, especially if you are rough

[@DiavloPL]

TBH I have stopped cleaning fep with alcohol after first two FEP short life.

[@FacilityD20]

What do you use now?

[@DiavloPL]

@@FacilityD20 stopped cleaning it. :)

[@BullScrapPracEff]

It's FEP... 😉.

[@FacilityD20]

I know, yet I keep saying TEP over and over hahaha

[@dkev0]

Never put any cloth on your FEP. Empty the vat. Do a tank clean, remove the cured layer, squeegee what's left with a silicone spatula and wipe the vat only.

[@FacilityD20]

You can use a cloth. It's faster and easier. It doesn't do any harm.

[@dkev0]

Oh yes it does. The less you handle the FEP, the longer it will last. @@FacilityD20

[@FacilityD20]

@kevinlee358 I agree, but so far, for me wear and tear from Printing minis and the occasional stuck print, has damaged all my fep before a lint free cloth has so far. Also dropped my magnetic build plate in there once and it cut a hole...

[@grzegorzwiecek7413]

Is it toxic to work at home with resin?

[@FacilityD20]

It's not too bad. Gloves and good ventilation are required. Most resins these days are nontoxic

[@grzegorzwiecek7413]

@@FacilityD20 Thank you !!

[@ishimarumasaki1998]

I ve seen wd40 and i was like ok not this one

[@FacilityD20]

You need the kind that I showed here.

[@BeardClipper]

Ahh man you waste a lot of resin there; you can scrape all that into the bottle man; not onto the towel :) other than that, yeah cool tips :) Edited to add - why did you scrape the resin while the vat was still on the screen; that's a really bad idea dude; if there was a weak FEP, or something that could pierce the FEP, then doing that would directly cause a spillage (never mind what others have observed about the fact that you did cause a splash that could also cause issues)...

[@FacilityD20]

Yeah, I wasted a bit more then normal, I blame the camera set up, I could have saved more resin for sure. There are two reasons I rubbed the bottom of the vat while in the machine: 1. to quickly check what kind of condition the resin was in, cause it was left a long time, but it had started to coagulate on the bottom, which lead me to rub it more out of curiosity haha) 2. The spill was on purpose, because I wanted to talk about and show cleaning it because of the potential issue it could cause. (I could have edited that bit out). So it was about 80% intentional and %20 curiosity hahaha.

[@BeardClipper]

@@FacilityD20 Yeah I just really don't think encouraging people to do that is a good idea; you could damage the fep, then the resin goes onto the screen and you have to scrape it off (ask me about that :D hah) Cheers mate,and congrats on the channel success!!

[@Yourbeautiful666]

What is your accent? I’m trying to figure it out, but I can’t place it.

[@FacilityD20]

Newfoundland, Canada

[@BrandXsps]

but its already clean.

[@FacilityD20]

Not clean enough lol

[@peterpeter5666]

Can't you just dunk the vat into a bucket of rinse?

[@FacilityD20]

Yeah i would think so

[@shsebastian8]

Is it necessary to wear a mask while doing this?

[@FacilityD20]

Debatable. I don't, but i have good ventilation.

[@NerdyCraftsmith]

Do not use the plastic spatula wtf

[@FacilityD20]

It's fine. Light pressure to help get the resin to flow out,

[@NerdyCraftsmith]

@@FacilityD20 no, it's not. That scratches fep. Use a rubber squeegie

[@FacilityD20]

@@NerdyCraftsmith Better then the metal one I got haha

[@forrestegan]

As soon as I saw the WD-40 come out I left.

[@FacilityD20]

That's cool.

[@michel_dg5051]

worst invention a vat with a very fragile film that has to be slided in over a fragile LCD screen LMAO

[@FacilityD20]

You have a point lol

[@TheIskybussiness]

the first mistake was using the plastic thing to scrape the vat.

[@FacilityD20]

Na. Just gently guided the resin out. However, a soft rubber is better.