Anybody else using Hairspray for 3D Prints

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Anybody else using Hairspray for 3D Prints

sleemanj

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#323597 19-Dec-2025 16:57

Any geekzoners have a recommendation for a hairspray that they know works for (PLA on glass) adhesion and isn't Value/Pams Super Hold Hair Spray?

I know, I know, you use glue stick, or PEI, or textured surfaces, or you've never had adhesion problems on your fancy pants BamQidiRusa - but for me, the last decade with my workhorse of a bodgy diy plywood i3 knockoff with heated glass and manual everything I have used Value brand Super Hold Hairspray and achieved excellent adhesion.

But I just emptied my current can, and can't find it in New World / P&S any more.

Tried going back to glue stick, zero adhesion, maybe I picked the wrong stick.

I've tried other hair sprays in the past, but they didn't work, I had a look today at the ingredients of ones on the shelf in two supermarkets but none were close to what is in the Value Super Hold's as far as I could see.

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richms

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#3445734 19-Dec-2025 17:09

I found that with glue stick I had to then get a cloth and some alcohol and give it a good wipeing so that the alcohol moved the gluestick around and left a thin layer of it. If it was thick and gluggy from the stick, it just pulled apart instead of sticking. Then it was better than the hairspray I tried. I just used some from the $2 shop because I am a cheap bastard and it worked somewhat ok, but gluestick thinned with alcohol was better.

Richard rich.ms

Tinkerisk

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#3445735 19-Dec-2025 17:26

A matter of faith.

I do not use any adhesive whatsoever, but rather a heated print bed with specific temperature operating points, which I have determined experimentally for the material in question.

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sleemanj

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#3445739 19-Dec-2025 17:39

richms:

I found that with glue stick I had to then get a cloth and some alcohol and give it a good wipeing so that the alcohol moved the gluestick around and left a thin layer of it.

~~Thanks, that seems to have helped a bit, I seem to have got a 1st layer down in mostly one piece at least.~~

I take that back, several pieces just went sliding :/

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michaelmurfy

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#3445749 19-Dec-2025 18:54

richms: I found that with glue stick I had to then get a cloth and some alcohol and give it a good wipeing <snip>

Alcohol can and does destroy build plate surfaces.

Normal dish soap + warm water is the best thing for them.

Then a thin layer of glue stick (I use the Amos stuff) works well. That is what I personally use these days.

@sleemanj what printer are you working with here?

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sleemanj

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#3445752 19-Dec-2025 19:34

michaelmurfy:

@sleemanj what printer are you working with here?

Typical mid 2010s plywood i3, lightly modified.

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James Sleeman
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sleemanj

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#3445760 19-Dec-2025 19:47

Found "Schwarzkopf Strong Styling Non-Aerosol Hairspray" at The Warehouse for $10, giving that a go since it seemed to have few ingredients and sounded a little similar to what was in the Value.

Applied several coats on to 50 degree bed, drying between.

1st Layer down seems well attached from what I can see so far. Cross fingers.

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James Sleeman
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michaelmurfy

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#3445780 19-Dec-2025 22:11

It’s a shame you’re not around Wellington as I have a full can of the canned gold “aqua net” here. Unfortunately won’t be able to send.

richms

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#3445893 20-Dec-2025 11:01

michaelmurfy:

richms: I found that with glue stick I had to then get a cloth and some alcohol and give it a good wipeing <snip>

Alcohol can and does destroy build plate surfaces.

Normal dish soap + warm water is the best thing for them.

Then a thin layer of glue stick (I use the Amos stuff) works well. That is what I personally use these days.

@sleemanj what printer are you working with here?

OP has heated glass as detailed in the first post.

Also, dish soap was terrible for cleaning I found, it left the stuff that it leaves on dishes. I found that normal cheap soap in a bar was preferable to clean my creality magnetic plates. Perhaps its just dawn that leaves something on it, but it was noticeably different looking compared to pre-washing it (where it wasn't covered in crud) or when I cleaned it with actual soap after using alcohol to remove what was left on it. Never had alcohol effect any of mine, but I don't have any exotic plates, just the magnetic ones that creality sell.

Richard rich.ms

sleemanj

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#3445997 20-Dec-2025 11:45

This Swartzkopf stuff seems to have worked well, strongly adhered this morning after the overnight print, at least as good as the old Value, maybe better.

For future googlers, this is what it looks like.

Seems to be available in the usual places for around $10 or less.

The ingredients are listed as:

Alcohol Denat. VP/VA Copolymer, Fragrance, Panthenol

I applied it to the bed at 50 degrees, in several coats, allowing to dry between.

Problem solved.

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James Sleeman
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