Uploaded April 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
I was trying to help a friend make some replacement parts for his Tonka Toy Collection. He needed a clear windshield for his Clipper Boat. I've never really 3D printed clear parts before, so I thought I'd give it a try. As I suspected, 3D printed parts aren't really clear because of all the layer lines. So I tried making a Silicone Rubber mold to pour an Epoxy part. I also tried laser cutting Clear Acrylic sheets and heat molding them.
Here are the results of my experiment. There is plenty of room for improvement (which I'm working on), but I thought it might be helpful to someone else trying to make clear parts.
Here are some of the things I used in the experiments:
Scanning:
* Revopoint 3D Scanner ( amzn.to/3xB0Vk2 )
* AESUB Blue Spray ( amzn.to/49Bq6Ah )
3D Printing:
* Prusa XL 5 Head 3D Printer ( prusa3d.com/product/original-prusa-xl-assembled-5-toolhead-3d-printer/?p2p=%40Simple3D )
* Prusa 3D Printer ( amzn.to/3SQA8Hc )
* Polymaker Polysmooth PVB Clear filament ( amzn.to/3vNtIRT )
* 99% IPA ( amzn.to/4d7fHPQ )
* PVB Polishing Kit ( us.polymaker.com/products/polishing-kit )
* Diamond Nail Files ( amzn.to/3VVjsBC )
Rubber Mold:
* Silicone Rubber Mold Kit ( amzn.to/3U0AQlI )
* Clear Epoxy Resin ( amzn.to/3TVM8HZ )
* Epoxy Mold Tape ( amzn.to/4cZDj91 )
* 3D Models of Mold Frame ( printables.com/model/837394-silicone-rubber-mold-frame-pieces )
* 1inch Binder clips for mold ( amzn.to/3xAIrQz )
* Vacuum Chamber and pump ( amzn.to/3PY8ure )
Acrylic Sheet Heat Molding:
* 8x12 inch 1.8mm thick Acrylic sheets ( amzn.to/3xIllHD )
* Air Dry Clay ( amzn.to/3vQHPWr )
* Heat Gun ( amzn.to/4awun9u )
* K40 CO2 Laser ( amzn.to/49AOguz )
* Cutting Clear Acrylic on a CO2 Laser ( youtube.com/watch?v=91ppZCURrmE )
FTC Disclaimer: We may earn commissions for purchases made through the links below. As Amazon Associates we earn from qualifying purchases.
I was trying to help a friend make some replacement parts for his Tonka Toy Collection. He needed a clear windshield for his Clipper Boat. I've never really 3D printed clear parts before, so I thought I'd give it a try. As I suspected, 3D printed parts aren't really clear because of all the layer lines. So I tried making a Silicone Rubber mold to pour an Epoxy part. I also tried laser cutting Clear Acrylic sheets and heat molding them.
Here are the results of my experiment. There is plenty of room for improvement (which I'm working on), but I thought it might be helpful to someone else trying to make clear parts.
Here are some of the things I used in the experiments:
Scanning:
* Revopoint 3D Scanner ( amzn.to/3xB0Vk2 )
* AESUB Blue Spray ( amzn.to/49Bq6Ah )
3D Printing:
* Prusa XL 5 Head 3D Printer ( prusa3d.com/product/original-prusa-xl-assembled-5-toolhead-3d-printer/?p2p=%40Simple3D )
* Prusa 3D Printer ( amzn.to/3SQA8Hc )
* Polymaker Polysmooth PVB Clear filament ( amzn.to/3vNtIRT )
* 99% IPA ( amzn.to/4d7fHPQ )
* PVB Polishing Kit ( us.polymaker.com/products/polishing-kit )
* Diamond Nail Files ( amzn.to/3VVjsBC )
Rubber Mold:
* Silicone Rubber Mold Kit ( amzn.to/3U0AQlI )
* Clear Epoxy Resin ( amzn.to/3TVM8HZ )
* Epoxy Mold Tape ( amzn.to/4cZDj91 )
* 3D Models of Mold Frame ( printables.com/model/837394-silicone-rubber-mold-frame-pieces )
* 1inch Binder clips for mold ( amzn.to/3xAIrQz )
* Vacuum Chamber and pump ( amzn.to/3PY8ure )
Acrylic Sheet Heat Molding:
* 8x12 inch 1.8mm thick Acrylic sheets ( amzn.to/3xIllHD )
* Air Dry Clay ( amzn.to/3vQHPWr )
* Heat Gun ( amzn.to/4awun9u )
* K40 CO2 Laser ( amzn.to/49AOguz )
* Cutting Clear Acrylic on a CO2 Laser ( youtube.com/watch?v=91ppZCURrmE )
FTC Disclaimer: We may earn commissions for purchases made through the links below. As Amazon Associates we earn from qualifying purchases.
