<p>Acetone can be used to smooth ABS.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/sIxOP.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/sIxOP.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a>
The left has been smoothed by an acetone bath and the right is the original model. (Image credit: <a href="http://sinkhacks.com/building-acetone-vapor-bath-smoothing-3d-printed-parts/" rel="noreferrer">Andrew Sink</a>)</p>

<p><strong>Take note</strong>: acetone is dangerous to breathe in, so work in a well ventilated area. It is also <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJWhfpWlGFg" rel="noreferrer">flammable</a>.</p>

<h1>Warm acetone vapour bath using stove</h1>

<p>This method involves suspending the model in a glass jar of boiling acetone that is heated up by a pot of boiling water.</p>

<ul>
<li>Attach the model to the lid of the jar with some string, keep the string short, so the model is close to the lid.</li>
<li>Put a few centimetres of water in a pot</li>
<li>Place a rag at the bottom of the pot (to keep the jar stable).</li>
<li>Place the glass jar in the pot, on top of the rag.</li>
<li>Place the pot on the stove and heat to 110°C.</li>
<li>When the acetone is boiling place the dangling model into the jar.</li>
<li>After a few seconds, remove the model.</li>
</ul>

<p>See <a href="http://sinkhacks.com/building-acetone-vapor-bath-smoothing-3d-printed-parts/" rel="noreferrer">here</a> for a step-by-step guide with pictures.</p>

<h1>Warm acetone vapour bath using printer bed</h1>

<p>This method elevating the model in a glass jar of acetone that is heated up by the printer's heatbed.</p>

<ul>
<li>Find a non-soluble object that the 3D model can stand on.</li>
<li>Put a teaspoon of acetone in jar.</li>
<li>Place the jar on the heatbed and heat to 110°C.</li>
<li>Place the stand into the jar.</li>
<li>Place the model on the stand, the stand should not let the acetone touch the model.</li>
<li>After a few minutes, remove the model.</li>
</ul>

<p>See <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj53P2YzYGM" rel="noreferrer">here</a> for an example.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-12T20:36:04.300Z
This has not worked for me, neither has the rotary rock tumbler
K Mmmm
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-21T15:06:16.433Z
+1 - However... Even though the model on the left looks "nicer" and "more shiny", it should be noted that some of the original detail appears to be lost, (obviously) due to the dissolving process.
Greenonline
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-19T14:31:19.573Z
2017-05-19T15:03:10.687Z
2017-05-19T15:03:10.687Z
Morgoth
<p>The surfaces of my printed parts using ABS plastic look rough and uneven.</p>

<p>What methods can I use to achieve a smoother finish for my for 3D-printed objects?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-19T14:16:42.013Z
I realise this is something almost everyone is familiar with, but it still needs to be asked.
Morgoth
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-19T14:57:24.893Z
It is a good question, and one I would like to know the answer to (I am certainly *not* familiar with it).
Greenonline
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-20T02:49:14.677Z
Care with acetone. It is toxic.
LCarvalho
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-31T06:24:16.513Z
For PLA, see [How do I give 3D-printed parts in PLA a shiny smooth finish?](https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/11/how-do-i-give-3d-printed-parts-in-pla-a-shiny-smooth-finish)
Greenonline
<abs><post-processing><surface>
How do I give 3D-printed parts in ABS a shiny smooth finish?
Morgoth
# How do I give 3D-printed parts in ABS a shiny smooth finish?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-05-19)

The surfaces of my printed parts using ABS plastic look rough and uneven.

What methods can I use to achieve a smoother finish for my for 3D-printed objects?

**Tags:** abs, post-processing, surface

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I realise this is something almost everyone is familiar with, but it still needs to be asked.  
> **username_1**: It is a good question, and one I would like to know the answer to (I am certainly *not* familiar with it).  
> **username_2**: Care with acetone. It is toxic.  
> **username_1**: For PLA, see [How do I give 3D-printed parts in PLA a shiny smooth finish?](https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/11/how-do-i-give-3d-printed-parts-in-pla-a-shiny-smooth-finish)  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2017-05-19. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

Acetone can be used to smooth ABS.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/sIxOP.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/sIxOP.jpg)
The left has been smoothed by an acetone bath and the right is the original model. (Image credit: [Andrew Sink](http://sinkhacks.com/building-acetone-vapor-bath-smoothing-3d-printed-parts/))

**Take note**: acetone is dangerous to breathe in, so work in a well ventilated area. It is also [flammable](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJWhfpWlGFg).

# Warm acetone vapour bath using stove

This method involves suspending the model in a glass jar of boiling acetone that is heated up by a pot of boiling water.

* Attach the model to the lid of the jar with some string, keep the string short, so the model is close to the lid.
* Put a few centimetres of water in a pot
* Place a rag at the bottom of the pot (to keep the jar stable).
* Place the glass jar in the pot, on top of the rag.
* Place the pot on the stove and heat to 110°C.
* When the acetone is boiling place the dangling model into the jar.
* After a few seconds, remove the model.

See [here](http://sinkhacks.com/building-acetone-vapor-bath-smoothing-3d-printed-parts/) for a step-by-step guide with pictures.

# Warm acetone vapour bath using printer bed

This method elevating the model in a glass jar of acetone that is heated up by the printer's heatbed.

* Find a non-soluble object that the 3D model can stand on.
* Put a teaspoon of acetone in jar.
* Place the jar on the heatbed and heat to 110°C.
* Place the stand into the jar.
* Place the model on the stand, the stand should not let the acetone touch the model.
* After a few minutes, remove the model.

See [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj53P2YzYGM) for an example.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: +1 - However... Even though the model on the left looks "nicer" and "more shiny", it should be noted that some of the original detail appears to be lost, (obviously) due to the dissolving process.  
> **username_3**: This has not worked for me, neither has the rotary rock tumbler  

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