The SLA resin finishing guide for glass-smooth parts
May 23, 2026 · 4 min read · By the Printora engineering team
SLA prints leave the machine close to perfect — then supports, layer lines and a tacky cure stand between you and a display-ready part. Here is the exact finishing sequence our shop uses on every resin order.
Wash thoroughly, twice
A five-minute wash in fresh isopropyl alcohol, then a second wash in clean IPA, removes uncured resin from crevices. Cloudy details after curing almost always trace back to a dirty first wash — change the bath before it looks spent.
Remove supports after curing, not before
Cure first with supports on: they brace thin features against warping under UV heat. Then clip with flush cutters and sand the nubs wet, stepping from 220 to 800 grit. For clear resins, finish at 2000 grit before polishing.
Prime, paint, protect
A thin filler primer reveals every remaining flaw — guide-coat it, spot-sand, and repeat once. Acrylics or 2K automotive paints bond beautifully to cured resin; seal with a UV-stable clear coat if the part will see daylight.
Put it into production
Want it done for you? Every Printora SLA order ships washed, cured, support-free and optionally painted.
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