Replacing your Heated Bed's BuildTak Sheet

gCreate_Joshua

Administrator
Staff member
#1
Here are the steps to replace a damaged BuildTak Sheet


What you will need.
  • Gloves - To protect again the heat
  • Razor Blade - To help remove the BuildTak and remove any residual adhesive left on the glass
  • Rapid Tac - A product used for wet application of BuildTak
  • Paper Towel - To help clean glass surface and wipe up excess Rapid Tac
  • Lighter Fluid - Works great for removing residual adhesive
  • Plastic Squeegee - To help push out excess Rapid Tac and remove air bubbles between glass and BuildTak
  • And of course, a new sheet of BuildTak
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You will first need to remove your heated bed from your gMax printer. Once you have it on a clean work surface, you will need to plug in the heated bed and set its temperature to 90c. The heat will help release the BuildTak adhesive and make removal much easier.


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Once the heated bed has reached 90c, you will want to put on the glove to prevent burning yourself, as you will be handling the hot bed. You can then use the razor blade to lift up one of the corners of the BuildTak. Once you get the corner up, you can grab the BuildTak with your hand and start pulling it off of the heated bed. The key to removing the sheet of BuildTak is slow and steady. Trying to rush could result in damage to you and/or your heated bed.


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Once you have removed the sheet of BuildTak, you will also need to remove any left over adhesive. This is best done with some lighter fluid and a razor blade. Simply wipe down with a piece of paper towel once you are finished. Once this is done, you will want to let your heated bed cool down to room temperature


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After your heated bed has cooled down, you will want to spray the glass surface with the Rapid Tac and wipe clean. This product is used as both a cleaner and application fluid.


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You are now ready to remove the protective sheet on the back of the BuildTak. When removing the protective sheet, make sure not to let any dust or small object come in contact with the adhesive backing. Otherwise it will result in bumps in the BuildTak surface when installed.


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You will then need to spray generous amounts of the Rapid Tac to both the glass surface and the adhesive side of the BuildTak.


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Now you can place the sheet of BuildTak on your heated bed. Make sure to line the edges of the BuildTak up with the edges of the heated pad on the opposite side.


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Once you have placed the BuildTak sheet down, it is time to squeegee out the excess Rapid tac. You will need to firmly hold the BuildTak in place with one hand to prevent it from moving while using the squeegee. You will see a lot of the Rapid Tak coming out of the side during this, simply wipe it up with a paper towel.


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Make sure to squeegee the entire surface of the heated bed. Going in all directions as well. This will ensure that you have removed as much Rapid Tac as possible and prevent any bubbles.


Notice!


Once you have secured your new Sheet of BuildTak to your heated bed, you will need to wait at least 2 Days before you are able to use the heated bed. You need to allow the Rapid Tac that you couldn't squeegee out to evaporate. Otherwise bubbles will form on the BuildTak surface.
 
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