Upgrading to PETG

Up until recently, all SLO products were 3d-printed with PLA, or polylactic acid. PLA is mostly sourced from plant starch and is easy to work with due to its low melting temperature and because it isn't really sensitive to surrounding environmental conditions when printing. On the downside, it can be relatively brittle and subject to discoloration or even deformation from exposure to UV rays and heat. Being brittle wasn't a concern with the SLO badges since they are not bearing anything beyond their own weight, mounted upright on the grille or rear trunk/hatch lid. Although, the PLA-printed universal grille mount could break easily, if the bolts are over-tightened on installation. The main concern with the PLA-printed badges was that they may discolor over time, and one customer noted that the edges of the badge started to curl after being exposed to the summer sun for a while.

PETG, on the other hand, is known for its durability and resistance to UV, high temperatures and even some chemical solvents. PETG is basically the same plastic water bottles, derived from crude oil, although glycol is added (hence the G) in order to make the plastic more suitable for 3d printing. PETG is also structurally stronger than PLA, making it more suitable for items that may bear some weight or require some physical stress. PETG will make items like customized center console trays, phone holders and keyrings possible. PETG needs to be printed at a higher temperature than PLA, which is why I waited until I swapped out the print head on my Creality Ender 3V2 with a direct drive unit for better reliability.

So, why not ABS plastic? Well, first off, ABS is not necessarily any stronger than PETG. But, it is harder to work with, requires a higher printing temperature, and can even give off harmful fumes. The last part is not a good idea for a home-based business. If I see a need to produce any future products in ABS, production will probably be outsourced to a shop for injection-molding. Currently, I don't see a need for that.

Going forward, most grille/boot badge sets will be printed with PETG. Until I source PETG filament in more colors, a few badge colors may still have to be printed with PLA. All PLA-printed badges are finished with a matte clearcoat to provide some UV protection.

We still honor our one-year warranty against color fade and deformation. If either of your badges warps or fades within a year of purchase, please contact us through email at service@slosubies.com .

You can read more about the differences between PLA and PETG here: PETG vs PLA Filament: The Main Differences | All3DP