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Hello Dakka,

I purchased a resin printer (Anycubic Photon) a while ago, and I have both 70 and 99 percent IPA. Which of these should I use to clean my prints? Does it matter?

The stronger the better. 95%+ Ethanol (denatured alcohol) should also be fine.

I use 91% isopropyl alchohol and it works great! But currently having trouble finding it due to demand built up by the pandemic, so might need to settle for using 70% in the short term...

I use a first rinse bath w/ simple green mixed with about 20% of 70% IPA, then a second rinse in 70% and this is working great. I ran out of my 91% IPA...

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I too use 90+ percent, but luckily I laid into a good supply before the pandemic. Honestly, I think 70% will work, especially if you already have it - I would just recommend using a soft brush to scrub your prints gently with it - which is something I do when the details are intricate enough regardless of my IPA proof.

I don't know much about denatured alcohol. From a fumes perspective, are either one less noxious?

In my area denatured alcohol is way more expensive, as it is more used as camp fuel than anything else and seems to be much more smelly than IPA.

 MDSW wrote:
In my area denatured alcohol is way more expensive, as it is more used as camp fuel than anything else and seems to be much more smelly than IPA.

Makes sense.

As far as I've been able to gather, IPA being the go-to cleaner is an internet hivemind artefact stemming simply from IPA being the cheaper alcohol in the US (pre-corona of course) and so the default option. Ethanol was always cheaper in the EU and just as good but got shouted down by people parroting "common knowledge". The instruction booklet for my Mars 2 actually recommends ethanol.

I would also note the method of removal is also a big factor.

If you have any kind of agitator (swirly wash station or ultrasonic cleaner) you can get away with 70%. I noticed that simple swirling fails to get rid of all of the resin with 70%, and I don't scrub it out side the washing container because of my cats (since I have no idea what uncured resin droplets can do to them).

With 91% simple swirling seems to get it all off, or at least to the point where I can't tell the difference prior to curing.

Also, while we're in the post processing discussion, don't wash off the remaining IPA with water because it causes the resin to craze while curing under UV. Just give it ample airflow and the IPA will evaporate within minutes. I sometimes use hair dryer if I'm feeling impatient.

Im in uk and i was told this works:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-heavy-duty-degreaser-5ltr/88668

Haven't tried it myself though - still deciding which resin printer to get...

 skchsan wrote:
Also, while we're in the post processing discussion, don't wash off the remaining IPA with water because it causes the resin to craze while curing under UV.

For sure. I don't use water at any step of the process.


In that vein, I want to point out - not to you but in general - not to cure before you are 100% sure the IPA has evaporated. I have seen people have issues with weird white residue on their models because they cured them with some IPA still in the crevices.

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I couldn't find IPA locally (apparently it's a little restricted in Italy), denatured ethanol is cheap and easily available but it stinks in a way I really can't stand! I settled for 96% grain alcohol (ethanol).

A bit expensive due to taxes, but low odour and without the IPA self immolation risk. Also does a proper job cleaning up my prints!