Repairing and Gluing Printed Parts
How to join, repair, or fill layers on printed models.
Broken or insufficiently strong parts can be repaired or reinforced:
🔧 Gluing parts: • CA glue + accelerator – fast, strong, for PLA/PETG/ABS • Epoxy (2K) – strongest bond, waterproof, 24h cure • Plastic cement (Plastruct, MEK) – chemical bonding of ABS/ASA • UV glue (Bondic) – precise application, UV light curing
🔩 Physical joining: • Insert heat-set inserts for screw joints • Magnetic inserts (N52 neodymium magnets) • Pins and dowels for precise alignment • Dovetail joints designed directly in model
🎨 Filling layers and surface defects: • Putty: Tamiya Putty, Army Painter Battlefiller • Epoxy coating (XTC-3D) – flood and smooth surface • Spray filler/primer
🔥 Filament welding: • Melt a piece of same filament with soldering iron • Or use a filament welder • Great for repairing FDM parts of the same material
⚠️ CA glue + baking soda = instant extremely strong bond (PLA only).