How to Smooth and Prep a PLA 3D-Printed Helmet for Painting

Learn how to smooth and prep a 3D-printed Mandalorian helmet for painting, from print bed to fully primed! This whole process takes just a few hours once you learn how to do these steps efficiently. This process can be applied to pretty much anything, not just Mandalorian helmets, but this video does include some helmet-specific tips.
Get more tutorial and STL file downloads by joining my Patreon community!:
/ universeofemily
Sabine's helmet file:
cults3d.com/en/3d-model/vario...
Materials used:
/ materials-list-89408627
Chapters:
0:00 What is the Goal?
0:49 Filing the Z Seam and Support Remnants
1:07 First Sanding
1:46 Filling the Layer Lines
2:50 Second Sanding
3:09 Auto Primer
4:12 Results
#sabinewren #mandalorian #3dprinting #cosplay #cosplaytutorial #starwarscosplay

[@pocketsamster1879]

Thanks for the tips 👌👍

[@NickDemberger]

I love how short, sweet, and to the point this video is. Thank you!!!!

[@Jesttricks]

Pretty cool you have the same printer and you have videos on the two things I was looking up. This video and the one you had with spandex and rubber soles. Keep it up, these are very helpful.

[@Hagbergscorner]

Great tutorial! That putty acetone mix will be tested here too. Thumbs up.

[@ARedMongoose]

Awesome video, Emily!

[@universeofemily]

Thank you Andrew!!💖☺️

[@w1ck3dsm4rt9]

Great tutorial. Will be trying this on my wolverine mask

[@helge1104]

Thanks for useful videos thanks for sharing love it

[@alexh7663]

Great tutorial! I use straight spot putty from a squeeze tube. But I’ll try the wood filler and acetone method as well.

[@universeofemily]

Thanks! I like spot putty too, but I think there’s pros and cons to each re: strength, sanding speed, fumes, etc. let me know what you think of the acetone and wood filler! ☺️☺️☺️

[@alexh7663]

@@universeofemily will certainly do! I have two knee pads to prep so I’ll try it my own test!

[@mfsoab]

Nice one again. About to test the wood filler acetone mix for the first time on my klingon Bat'leth that just finished printing 😏

[@universeofemily]

Heck yeah! Let me know how it goes!

[@chleroeyes931]

I seen your short , using the acetone and wood filler and I didn't get the right Constance. But this video helped

[@_azterisk]

I have a Neptune 4 and I’m really wanting to print cosplay pieces like this. I’d love to see a video of how you size your pieces correctly for your head/body and what your solution for printing pieces in parts are when you have to bond them together afterwards

[@melonloc6607]

I just finished following your tutorial and it came out great! I usually use bondo but I wanted to try wood filler because I’ve heard the smell isn’t as strong.

[@universeofemily]

So great to hear!! Yes! Bondo has a time and place but a huge plus of woodfiller is less toxic smell

[@zurabibucxrikidze4259]

You are Best ❤❤❤

[@matteblack144]

This tutorial is awesome! Question, for the process after the sanding the wood filler, how to clear off the dust? Wash it or what is the better method?

[@universeofemily]

I just wipe it with a dry shop towel! The wood filler i use is water soluble, so i wouldnt wet it before adding a layer if primer/other paint

[@matteblack144]

@@universeofemily Awesome! Thanks for the info, will apply it later on in my next Prop project

[@universeofemily]

@matteblack144 awesome!! Let me know how it goes!

[@gj4769]

You can print these much faster , use a .8 mm nozzle and print these in single wall thickness , like in vase mode afterwards you can reinforce it with epoxy or fiberglass or any other material , there are videos available online , that demonstrate this method .

[@universeofemily]

It’s all about the balance between print time and post-processing time in my opinion! Lots of different ways to do this, and this is the most enjoyable for me. Cheers!

[@Geminithegiant]

What mask do you recommend to wear during this process -- also AWESOME helmet!

[@JR-mq7ni]

Can't seem to find your video talking about the pros and cons of woodfiller vs bondo. I'm going to be tackling a mando helemet print so I'm open to all techniques before trying any myself

[@universeofemily]

Hi! Sorry it was too long to fit on YT shorts. Here is the link to the vid on IG: instagram.com/reel/CxvWoE2LXMd/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[@itstonyshark2060]

What kind of paint brush are you using?

[@hanswurst9972]

At which stage are you using which kind of sanding paper?

[@universeofemily]

Hi! The first sanding is 120, and the second is 240

[@empty177]

what kind of 3D printer you have?

[@universeofemily]

This was printed on the creality cr-10!