Film Life

[robin]

Hi guys,

What would you rate the condition of the film shown in the attached images? Is this still acceptable or do I need to replace it soon?

I always keep the cherry sitting in the vat and stir them with an old credit card before use. I just emptied it and wiped it clean with dry pec-pads, no alcohol or any other cleaner was used.

Thanks,
Robin

[reify]

Yikes. You can try a print but it looks very scratched up. Please don't use something hard like a credit card, use a soft silicone baking spatula to stir the resin:

http://www.amazon.com/Bekith-Silicone-Spatulas-Dishwasher-Resistant/dp/B00KY3T536/ref=sr_1_9?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1462980743&sr=1-9&keywords=silicone+spatula

I wouldn't even wipe it with PEC-PADS.

[robin]

Gotcha. Thanks Mark.

So what would you do if you're switching resins, say from cherry to waxcast?

btw, it's not as bad as it seems in the pics. It's more like there's a layer of gunk than there are scratches.

[mongerdesigns]

Ya. What Mark said. The film should remain crystal clean. Use the soft spatula to mix the resin, or pour it out and mix it in a cup.

[Archerm]

I have noticed that when my prints start to show heavy or staggered growth lines it is time to change the film. I print a bunch and normally that is 1-1.5 months max.

[flovv]

Why you don't switch the complete resin tank if you need different resin types?

Gotcha. Thanks Mark.

So what would you do if you're switching resins, say from cherry to waxcast?

btw, it's not as bad as it seems in the pics. It's more like there's a layer of gunk than there are scratches.

[robin]

Why you don't switch the complete resin tank if you need different resin types?

Gotcha. Thanks Mark.

So what would you do if you're switching resins, say from cherry to waxcast?

btw, it's not as bad as it seems in the pics. It's more like there's a layer of gunk than there are scratches.

I don't plan on using more than one. I got a sample of waxcast for testing purposes. If anyone asks, I love it and will be switching to it. In fact, I already bought a 1L bottle today.

[Argyle]

Just a quick tip. I've found these little guys to be my ideal stir stick.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Nite-Ize-3-i ... /203207553

Really inexpensive and have a fairly thick silicone coating which wont scratch the film. I was using a rubber spatula before but it was a bit awkward getting under the build arm and it collected a bunch of resin. These are easier to manage and you can hang them on the arm so the resin drips back in the vat.

[robin]

Just a quick tip. I've found these little guys to be my ideal stir stick.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Nite-Ize-3-i ... /203207553

Really inexpensive and have a fairly thick silicone coating which wont scratch the film. I was using a rubber spatula before but it was a bit awkward getting under the build arm and it collected a bunch of resin. These are easier to manage and you can hang them on the arm so the resin drips back in the vat.

Those are cool. I wish they made really small ones to use instead of zip ties. Just yday I got a new mid tower atx case to replace an older one. I spent like 30 mins cutting through all the ties I had used to keep things "tidy".. lazy is the way to go

[M-Williams]

You are right.When ever your prints get thicker with less details mediocre sharpness it is than the time to change your film.if your are careful your film will last for a long long time.