A 3D printed piece will last for years with very little care. Almost all damage comes from one thing, heat, followed by long-term sun. Here’s how to keep your prints looking the way they did when they arrived.
Cleaning a 3D print
Dust settles in the fine layer lines of a print, so a quick clean every so often keeps it looking sharp.
- Dust with a soft, dry brush (a clean make-up brush is perfect) to lift dust out of the layer lines.
- For marks, wipe with a soft cloth dampened with lukewarm water and a drop of mild dish soap.
- Rinse with a damp cloth and let it air dry.
Avoid solvents such as acetone, nail polish remover and strong cleaning sprays, and don’t use abrasive scourers. They can cloud the surface or scratch a matte finish.
Keep prints away from heat
Our prints are made from PLA Matte or PETG. PLA starts to soften at around 55–60 °C and PETG at about 80 °C. That sounds hot, but everyday places get there:
- The dishwasher: hot water and drying cycles can warp a print. Hand wash only.
- A parked car: on a sunny day the dashboard and back shelf get much hotter than the air outside.
- Next to heaters, ovens or kettles: steam and radiant heat add up over time.
If a piece needs to live somewhere warm, choose PETG when you order. Our PLA vs PETG guide explains the difference.
Sun and outdoor use
UV light slowly fades colour in any plastic. Indoors, near a window, that takes years. Outdoors in full Australian sun it happens much faster, and PLA can also become brittle. For anything that will live outside, such as a house sign or a garden tag, choose PETG and, where you can, place it out of the harshest afternoon sun.
Water, planters and vases
3D prints are built up in layers, and unless a product says it’s watertight, tiny gaps between layers can let water seep through over time. For planters, use a saucer or keep the plant in its nursery pot inside the printed pot. For fresh flowers in a printed vase, put a glass or jar inside it. Dried flowers are fine on their own.
Keyrings and everyday carry
Keyrings rub against keys, coins and zips, so some wear on the edges is normal over months of use. PETG keyrings handle this best. If a split ring loosens, it can be replaced with any standard ring from a hardware store.
Something not right?
If anything arrives damaged or isn’t as described, contact us within 30 days with a photo and we’ll reprint, replace or refund it. See our returns policy for details.
