This guide explains how to clean the textured PEI plate and also provides recommendations for better adhesion.

Surface layer wear

If you notice wear on the surface layer in a certain area of the build plate, there is no need to worry – this is a normal and expected phenomenon.
Over time, the nozzle cleaning area will become scratched because the nozzle cleans itself in this section. However, this will not affect the nozzle tip or the functionality of the plate in any way, as it was designed specifically for this purpose.

Troubleshooting adhesion issues on the build plate

The Bambu Lab Textured PEI Plate is made by applying a powdered layer of PEI material to a steel plate, preserving the unique surface texture on the bottom of the print. This plate is compatible and stable when used with various printing materials. Over time, however, users may encounter issues with insufficient build plate adhesion. Below, we list several recommended steps for troubleshooting adhesion issues on the Bambu Lab textured plate.

IMPORTANT

• Never clean the textured PEI plate with acetone, as it could damage its surface.

• Make sure that the cleaning agent used to clean the plate does not contain oils or moisturizing substances, which may remain on the plate and affect adhesion.

The reason we recommend using a cleaning agent (detergent) on the textured plate is its textured surface. Alcohol may only spread oils across the print surface instead of removing them.
Detergent acts as a degreaser, and using a sponge or brush when washing the plate ensures that the cleaning agent penetrates the textured surface, cleans it, and improves adhesion.

Regular cleaning

We recommend cleaning the textured plate regularly to keep the printing surface free of dirt and fingerprints.
Natural oils from your hands can transfer to the printing surface and negatively affect the plate's adhesion.
The image below shows an example of various fingerprints on the plate – these fingerprints are not normally visible, but they become clearly apparent when printing the first layer.

Thoroughly washing the plate with warm water and cleaning agent removes this dirt, ensuring a perfect first layer and good adhesion.

Cleaning the printing surface

We recommend cleaning the printing surface with warm water and ordinary soap. Use a basic sponge and dishwashing detergent, rinse the surface with water, and dry it with a regular paper towel. Here are the specific steps:

1. Wet the textured PEI plate with water.

2. Apply dishwashing detergent evenly to the textured PEI plate.

3. Use a basic sponge to scrub the textured PEI plate and create a lather with the cleaning agent.

This will effectively remove model residue and grease from the textured PEI plate.

We also recommend using a brush if you have one available. It will penetrate the texture grooves more effectively and clean any dirt efficiently.

4. Rinse off the detergent with clean water and then dry the textured PEI plate.

Note:

After applying dishwashing detergent to the textured PEI plate, it is important to scrub it thoroughly with a sponge or brush to completely remove model residue and grease.
Also, make sure not to touch the printing surface with your fingers and try to hold the plate only by its edges.

Polishing the surface of the textured PEI plate with fine-grit sandpaper will create a new, clean surface and improve build plate adhesion. It is essential to ensure that the surface is thoroughly cleaned of all dust residue after sanding.

Further troubleshooting for adhesion issues after washing the plate

Slightly increase the build plate temperature
The adhesion between the filament and the build plate is significantly affected by the build plate temperature; higher build plate temperatures result in stronger adhesion. If you feel that adhesion is insufficient, you can slightly increase the plate temperature to improve adhesion.

Note: For PLA and PETG materials, an excessively high temperature may cause nozzle clogging and elephant foot issues (undesirable deformation of the first layer).

Adding a brim and support structure
The strength between the print and the build plate is approximately proportional to their contact area. When printing small objects, adding a brim increases the force between the print and the plate, helping to prevent warping or detachment. Thin and tall objects are more prone to being scratched by the nozzle at high speeds. For these objects, it is recommended to use suitable supports to optimize the strength of the structure and minimize the risk of warping or detachment.

Check the build plate temperature and the filaments used
Most filament types have a default profile set in Bambu Studio. If you customize the profile, we recommend checking the configured build plate temperatures. Sometimes it is necessary to adjust the temperature according to the type of filament and its properties.

Adjusting the first-layer settings in Bambu Studio
You can adjust the first-layer settings in the slicer to improve adhesion. The slicer profiles in Bambu Studio are preset with values that produced the best results during testing. However, if problems occur, we recommend starting the print with a line width of 0.5 mm and a layer height of 0.25 mm for optimal results. These settings create a stable foundation for the rest of the model and increase the chances of success.