Also called: Chemical smoothing
Vapour smoothing exposes a print to a controlled solvent vapour that slightly melts the outer surface, blending away layer lines. The result looks glossy and injection-moulded. It works with specific materials, most commonly ABS and industrial nylon.
Good for
- Glossy, moulded-looking parts
- Sealing parts against water
- Consumer product prototypes
- Nylon (SLS/MJF) parts needing a smooth feel
How it works
- The part is cleaned.
- It's exposed to vapour in a controlled chamber.
- The surface smooths and hardens as it dries.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Glossy, smooth finish
- Seals the surface
- Fast compared with sanding
Cons
- Only works on certain materials
- Very fine details and sharp edges soften slightly
Questions to ask the shop
- Does my material work with vapour smoothing?
- Will small details be affected?
Common materials
ABS · ASA · Nylon PA12 (SLS / MJF)
Common questions
Can PLA be vapour smoothed? Not in the usual way. PLA doesn't respond to common smoothing solvents, so shops use sanding and primer instead.
Related services
Sanding and finishing · Priming and painting
Find vapour smoothing near you
Find shops offering vapour smoothing near you, or upload your file for a quote.