I've been given some 3D printed models for Christmas.

Like so many of this type they do have semi noticeable ridges where the printed layers have been deposited - particularly on sloped surfaces. In the past I've tried filing and I know this simply parts the layers, not good at all.

So, I was thinking of "painting" the ridged portions with thickish PVA to kind of fill them in.

Has anyone ever tried this?

Is there a better solution?     :-

As far as I'm aware you  can get primers that fill in the ridges.Cant remember the name right now I shall ask someone

Ok There are some self leveling primers which are for airbrushes

A friend who knows about this stuff advises that  AP primers put on slightly thicker than normal will smith out the ridges

Yonks ago, I had to neaten up a resin 3D 'master' of a roboty type thing.
I used Magic Sculp to fill in the ridges and then a very fine glass paper to try and make it as smooth as possible.

It worked 'well enough' but was quite time consuming.

Cheers - Phil

Quote from: Dr Dave on 01 January 2019, 03:55:49 PM
So, I was thinking of "painting" the ridged portions with thickish PVA to kind of fill them in.

I'm told acrylic floor polish (AKA Future, Kleer, Klear, etc, - from Johnsons) works, but I primed the ones I have and I don't think it'll work after they've been primed. I made a couple of them serviceable with a bit of filing & some stowage to cover the banding up.

I don't have a 3D printer but I think I remember that there is something a bit like plastic cement that is used to smooth the ridges.  That is, it melts the plastic a bit. 

Here's some links to smoothing techniques.

https://all3dp.com/2/pla-smoothing-a-beginner-s-guide/

https://rigid.ink/blogs/news/how-to-smooth-pla-to-a-mirror-finish

https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Smooth-PLA-3D-Prints/

The problem with the most common idea for smoothing down ridges - sanding in one form or another - is that tanks in any wargaming scale don't tend to have much in the way of open accessible flat surfaces to sand. Sanding the middle of a glacis plate smooth but leaving the edges ridged because the trackguards get in the way is not going to look right...