Hair spray is very useful in 3D printing but is one bran better than another.
I recently read a forum post on using hairspray to make print stick better to 3D printer printing plates. One of the posters swore by Schwarzkopf got2b Glued hairspray. I have used Aquanet hairspray but I have never used this brand. I recently walked through Walmart and they had a case on sale for next to nothing. I decided to buy the entire case and give it a try. My experimentation will be your gain. Hopefully, it will help you decide which hairspray or whether to buy hairspray at all.
The instructions are fairly clear. You spray it on the plate and allowed it to dry as the plate heats up. It should promote adhesion with little to no effort. Just like hairspray holds hair in place after you get a new hairdo, it does the same thing to 3D printing filament to the build plate. I own a producer a Prusa Mk3s and Prusa Mini and those will be my primary testbeds. I own other print beds with glass build plates, but I am not going to use those for this test.
I’m printing with hairspray on my printers for over one year. Most of my printers use a steel sheet with either textured or smooth PEI. Some have glass and others have Bondtak type sheets. I have found that the glass is very dependent on temperatures and often needs an adhesion promoter like hair spray. PEI can be too sticky and can need a release promoter like hair spray. AquaNet is stickier, but breaks off and/or leaves residue when the parts are removed. Got2b is less sticky and leaves less residue. How do the two compare? I have never seen a comparison.
got2b because it was cheaper, but it didn’t work out as well as this one. I ordered a ton because I got tired of trying other stuff.
To perform this test, I completed 10 prints per build play on both the MK3S and Mini. I completed five with each of the two types of hairspray. I used 100 small 3×3 mm cylinders. Success was judged based upon the number of cylinders successfully stuck to the build plate.
Results:
- Both hair sprays increased adhesion. Both released easily after cooling.
- Got2b required that you move the excess with a paper towel. Drying on the plate makes adhesion impossible.
- Aquanet worked well and was easier to use. It dries on the plate and holds hard.
- Score:
- Aquanet 10 x 100. zero knocked down on any of the
- Got2b 10 sheets printed with an average of almost 13 knocked down per plate. ant × 10, Humidity Indicator Card × 10
Ease of use: I give the nod to Aquanet because you can spray it and print on it. No need to wipe off excess.
Value: Prices are similar. I would still give the nod to Aquanet because it works better.
I consider myself pretty experienced with 3D printing. I am always looking for something to assist with adhesion and this might be the best product out there.
| Aquanet Superhold | Got2B Glued |
|---|---|
| Quality of hold: 5/5 Price: 5/5 Value: 5/5 Ease of use: 5/5 Overall: 5/5 | Quality of hold: 4/5 Price: 5/5 Value: 4/5 Ease of use: 4/5 Overall: 4.3/5 |
CONCLUSION:
Aquanet is hands down the best hairspray for 3d printing. I would recommend it over Got2B any day.
Purchase from Amazon: AquaNet Super Hold or Schwarzkopf got2b Glued hairspray
