Finishing

3D print finishing services

UK finishing for 3D printed parts in FDM, SLA, SLS and PolyJet, including sand blasting, painting, coatings, plating and threaded inserts. Select what the part needs and the matching finishes move to the top.

I need

Qualitative scale, 0 to 4, per finish.

Finish	Surface	Strength	Water	Chemical	Wear	Colour	Conductive	Dim. change	Lead time
Sand blastingReplaces visible layer lines with a uniform matte texture		-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
PaintingAdds colour and a smooth, even surface that hides layer lines		-		-	-		-	-
Epoxy resin coatingSeals the surface and adds a hard shell							-
Dip coatingImmerses the part in liquid polymer so every face, hidden ones included, gets the same coat		-					-
AnodisingGrows a hard oxide layer on aluminium		-					-	-
Metallic platingBuilds a thin metal shell on the part		-						-
Vapour smoothingMelts the outer surface with solvent vapour so layer lines flow out to a gloss		-		-	-		-
DyeingColours the part by soaking dye into the surface	-	-	-	-	-		-	-

Ticks show a score of 2 or more. Dimensional change and lead-time columns show the cost of the finish, so fewer is better.

Functional finishing

Threaded insertsSix insert types compared: heat-set, ultrasonic, press-fit, self-tapping, moulded-in and wire thread.Composite layupPrinted parts as moulds, or reinforced with glass or carbon fibre.

3D print finishing FAQ

Which finishes change dimensions?

Coatings add a film and blasting removes a small amount of surface. Tell us which features are tolerance-critical and we will plan the order of operations.

Can I combine finishes?

Yes. A common sequence is blasting, then painting or coating. Plating and painting both need a prepared surface.

How long does finishing take?

Sand blasting and threaded inserts start from 1 calendar day. Coatings and plating add cure and process time, shown on your quote.

Is anodising possible on printed plastic?

Anodising suits aluminium and a few other metals. Plastic prints take painting, dyeing or coating instead.

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