How to finish my printed horn
Raw state of surface
AudioHorn PLA part are printed with the most precisely and finest way as possible, in black matt, so most users use it raw without painting.
For big ones like X-Shape 33 and 40 cm that are in two pieces, it can be interesting to paint it.
1. Coating and first sanding
Due to the finest printing, coating is rarely needed.
If you have asked the “prepared to paint” option (it’s free) the horn is already coating if needed and sanded. Especially for big horns that are in two parts.
For this finish we use car bodywork way to do.
2. Protect
![Primer](/img/QA/PLA-protect.jpg)
Don’t forget to protect the hole screw with a false screw in PLA or screw that you will not use, otherwise you will not be able to use the screw’s hole at the end of the entire process.
You can ask us to provide it.
Protect yourself also with real mask like the AirGearPro M-500 or others, even when sanding raw PLA if possible.
3. Spray Putty
![spray-putty](/img/QA/spray-putty.jpg)
You can use:
- Motip Spray Putty
Then we need to sand it, it can need several layer/sand operations, at least 3 repetition of it is needed.
If it still have default you can fill it with Motip Mastic Repair Putty Light or Fine Putty, they have greater elasticity comparing to others type of putty.
At the end sanding to 250/400P minimum, Spray Putty is made to be sanded, it’s not hard and doesn’t provide a good adhesion for paint.
You can finish sanding in 400 with this:
![sponge](/img/QA/sponge.jpg)
4. Primer and sand
We will use here a “Filler”, also call “high build primer” that will allow a better paint adhesion, we switch on this step only if the state of surface is perfect thanks to the previous step.
- Motip Filler
Sand the primer when it’s dry, use 400P grain without water and by hand, prefer to make tiny layers of filling primer then sand then put another layer then send again rather than put too much of filling primer in one shot.
The state of the surface must be perfect at the end here.
5. Paint
![Primer](/img/QA/primer.jpg)
Use a paint by following brand instructions, use the same brand than the primer to avoid bad chemical reactions 6 or 12 months later, a chemical reaction between primer and paint too different can have a result as cracks then falling paint months or years after.
Paint it with a tiny layer, with a regular aerosol paint.
- Dulux Valentine Color Touch or any spray that have a good covering power
- Motip Matt
2 or 3 fine layers should be enough , normally you don’t need to sand after the first one but if you see a default don’t hesitate to sand again when it’s dry.
6. Varnish Protection
Still in the same brand use single-component aerosol varnish to protect your paint when it’s dry.
- Motip Clear Varnish Matt