Failure Fix Guide
Bed Adhesion Master Guide
A complete bed adhesion guide covering PEI cleaning, glue, brim, raft, Z-offset, bed temperature, drafts, and large flat print strategy.
Use this guide in order. Start with the visible symptom, check the simple causes first, then change one setting or mechanical variable at a time. That makes the fix repeatable instead of lucky.
Adhesion is a system
- Good adhesion requires surface cleanliness, correct Z-offset, proper first-layer speed, suitable bed temperature, and part design/orientation.
- Do not rely on glue to hide a bad first layer. Fix the fundamentals first.
Surface cleaning
- Wash PEI with warm water and dish soap when alcohol no longer restores grip.
- Use isopropyl alcohol for day-to-day wipe-downs.
- Avoid touching the print area with fingers after cleaning.
Slicer helpers
- Use a brim for tall, narrow, or corner-lifting models.
- Use mouse ears for sharp corners when you want less cleanup than a full brim.
- Use raft only when the model or surface makes normal adhesion unreliable.
- Slow first-layer speed and increase first-layer line width before using extreme adhesive tricks.
Material notes
| Item | Guidance |
|---|---|
| PLA | Usually easy on clean PEI with 55–65°C bed |
| PETG | Avoid over-squish; may stick too aggressively to some smooth surfaces |
| TPU | Usually sticks strongly; avoid excessive squish |
| ASA/ABS | Needs enclosure, hot bed, draft control, and sometimes adhesive |
Large flat prints
- Add chamfers or rounded corners when possible.
- Use enclosure/draft control for warp-prone materials.
- Do not print huge flat parts at high speed with a cold room draft.
Tools that help this fix
These are practical tool categories that match this guide. The links use Amazon search pages so you can compare brands, sizes, reviews, and current availability.
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