Color Application & Finishing
Sand, primer, spray, electroplate, airbrush, and clear coat — production-grade finishing that takes 3D-printed parts from "obviously printed" to "looks like a real product."
Capabilities
- Sanding and primer prep
- Pantone-matched spray paint
- Electroplating (chrome, gold, copper, brass)
- Airbrush detailing and weathering
- Clear coat (matte, satin, gloss)
- UV-cured topcoats for outdoor durability
How we make it
- 01
Surface prep
Wet-sand layer lines and seam marks. Mask off the parts that should stay raw. Skipping this step is why most printed parts still look printed.
- 02
Primer fill
Filler primer in a downdraft booth, sanded back to 600 grit. The substrate is invisible by the time we move on to colour.
- 03
Base coat
Pantone-matched spray or 2-pack auto paint, depending on durability needs. Even tone, no orange peel, no runs.
- 04
Detail & weathering
Airbrush gradients, panel-lining, micro highlights, weathering — the difference between a toy and a hero unit.
- 05
Clear coat
Matte, satin, or gloss clear locks the colour and adds UV protection. Hand-polished where the surface needs to look wet.
A printed part fresh off the bed looks printed. Finishing is what makes it look like a product. It’s also where most studios cut corners — and where we don’t.
What’s available
- Spray painting — Pantone matching for brand-accurate colour. Two-pack automotive paint for parts that need durability.
- Electroplating — chrome, copper, gold, brass finishes that look (and feel) like real metal. Requires specific surface prep on the printed master.
- Airbrushing — fine gradients, weathering, panel-lining for scale models and figurines.
- Clear coats — matte, satin, or gloss to lock in the underlying paint and add UV resistance for outdoor pieces.
Process by material
- FDM (PLA, PETG, ABS) — fill layer lines with primer-filler, sand to 600 grit, then paint.
- SLA / DLP resin — already smooth; primer once, paint twice.
- SLS nylon — porous; needs sealer before paint takes evenly.
Common pairings
- Trophies and awards — electroplated chrome or gold over a 3D-printed master is the workhorse finish for premium presentation.
- Scale models — airbrushed gradients and weathering, sealed with matte clear.
- Product mockups — Pantone-matched spray with satin clear, looks like an injection-molded prototype.
- Outdoor signage and props — UV-cured topcoat to survive Singapore sun.
Send the part (or print it with us) and tell us the desired finish. We’ll quote per part with no minimum order.
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