How to Clean Resin Prints: IPA vs Rhino Resin Cleaner
The short answer: Clean uncured resin off your prints with high purity IPA or Rhino Resin Cleaner. Agitate the part in a wash station, vortex mixer or ultrasonic cleaner for no more than 10 to 15 minutes, avoid long soaks, then let the part dry completely before you cure it. Skip acetone, because it soaks into uncured parts far more than IPA does.
Why cleaning matters
When a print comes off the build plate, it is coated in liquid resin that never saw the light. If you cure it that way, the extra resin hardens into a sticky film, softens fine detail and can leave the surface uneven. Liquid resin also needs careful handling, so a clean wash is the first step toward a part that is safe to handle, paints well and holds its shape. Always wear safety glasses and protective gloves when handling 3D printing resin.
What to clean resin prints with
| Cleaner | What to know | Our take |
|---|---|---|
| High purity IPA (99 percent isopropyl alcohol) | Fast and effective. In our absorption testing, cubes soaked for 15 minutes gained only 0 to 0.82 percent weight. Flammable, with a strong odor | Recommended |
| Rhino Resin Cleaner | Non flammable, low odor and biodegradable. Stays effective through repeated use, so one gallon can outlast a gallon of IPA | Recommended |
| Acetone | In the same test, cubes gained 3.2 percent weight, which raises the risk of surface deformation | Not recommended |
Our absorption figures come from 1 cm test cubes immersed for 15 minutes before post curing. The lower the absorption, the less likely a print is to show surface deformation. You can see the full table on our settings and post processing page.
Step by step: how to clean a resin print
- Let it drip. Leave the build plate tilted over the vat for a moment so extra resin drains back.
- Wash with agitation. Move the part through high purity IPA or Rhino Resin Cleaner. A wash station, vortex mixer or ultrasonic cleaner removes resin fastest. Keep the wash to a maximum of 10 to 15 minutes.
- Do not soak. Avoid leaving prints sitting in solvent for long periods. Uncured parts absorb liquid over time, and that can deform the surface.
- Check the details. Look into recesses, holes and hollow areas for trapped liquid. A soft brush helps on deep detail.
- Dry completely. Let the part dry fully before post curing. Leftover solvent makes curing less even.
- Cure. Make sure all sides get equal exposure so the part shrinks evenly, and cure until the surface tack is gone.
Rhino Resin Cleaner vs IPA
IPA works well and it is what many people already have. The tradeoffs are the fumes and the fire risk. Rhino Resin Cleaner was made to remove those problems without giving up a clean finish. We are a certified distributor of Rhino, which is developed and made in Canada by Win Precision.
- Non flammable and low odor. Easier to live with in a home workshop.
- Works with any cleaning method. Wash station, ultrasonic cleaner, or a brush and a bucket.
- Gentle on equipment. Safe on aluminum and anodized components and on plastics such as FEP film, PET and HDPE.
- Goes further. Use it full strength for maximum cleaning power, or stretch it with a 50/50 mix with water.
- Biodegradable formula. No sticky residue on your parts.
Rhino Resin Cleaner is $54.95 with shipping included in the lower 48, and you save 10 percent when you buy 4 gallons.
A note on ultrasonic cleaners and IPA
Ultrasonic cleaners are great for minis and fine detail. If you use IPA, never pour it straight into the ultrasonic tank. Put the part and the IPA in a sealed container or bag, then set that in the tank filled with water. A non flammable cleaner like Rhino avoids that concern. Always follow the instructions that came with your ultrasonic cleaner.
Cleaning tips for each 3DRS resin
- HERO HD: wash in high purity IPA or Rhino, dry, then thermal cure at 215 to 275°F for a minimum of one hour. UV curing is optional. We typically recommend starting with a large countertop oven from any big box store, ideally with an air fryer feature, because the moving air heats parts evenly. See the HERO HD curing guide.
- RPG Medium Grey: low odor and made for easy cleanup. Wash, dry and give it a 10 minute light cure.
- Standard HD: wash, dry and give it a 10 minute light cure.
Handling waste safely
Used cleaner holds dissolved resin. Do not pour it down the drain. Keep it in a closed, labeled container and dispose of it following your local rules. Read the Safety Data Sheet on each of our product pages before you handle resin.
What comes next
Once your print is clean and cured, it is ready for paint. Our guide on painting resin prints without primer shows how to go straight to color with InstantEffect. Free Standard shipping applies on orders of $44 and up in the lower 48.
FAQ
What is the best way to clean resin prints?
Agitate the part in high purity IPA or Rhino Resin Cleaner for no more than 10 to 15 minutes, then dry it completely before curing.
Can I clean resin prints with acetone?
We do not recommend it. In our testing, uncured parts absorbed 3.2 percent of their weight in acetone after 15 minutes, compared with 0 to 0.82 percent in 99 percent IPA.
How long should I leave resin prints in IPA?
No more than 10 to 15 minutes with agitation. Avoid long soaks, which can deform the surface.
Can I dilute Rhino Resin Cleaner?
Yes. Use it full strength for maximum cleaning power, or mix it 50/50 with water to make it go further.
Do I have to dry my print before curing?
Yes. Let the part dry completely first so it cures evenly.
The 3DRS Team