Are you looking for the best 3D printing material for outdoor use? What if the solution were simpler and better than you expected?
Choosing the right material is crucial when producing 3D prints intended for outdoor applications. ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) is considered the benchmark filament for its renowned resistance to UV rays and weathering. However, anyone who has tried printing it knows its challenges all too well: warping, unpleasant odors, and the need for an enclosed—and preferably heated—build chamber. What if we told you there’s a simpler, more cost-effective, and aesthetically superior solution? Today we reveal why the combination of PETG and a transparent protective coating like 3Dbooster UV Shield is the winning choice for your functional outdoor prints.
Beyond ASA Limits: The Advantages of Enhanced PETG
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) has long been one of the most beloved filaments in the 3D-printing world thanks to its excellent balance between ease of printing and robustness. Although its UV resistance is lower than that of ASA, this limitation is completely offset by the application of a protective coating. Let’s look in detail at why this combination outperforms ASA in many respects.
1. Easy Printing, Guaranteed Results
The first major hurdle with ASA is its tendency to warp and delaminate between layers. To achieve a successful print, a 3D printer with an enclosed chamber—ideally heated—is almost essential, capable of maintaining a consistently high ambient temperature. This requirement rules out many of the most common printers on the market.
PETG, on the other hand, is notoriously easy to print. It does not require an enclosed chamber, adheres well to most build plates, and warping is virtually nonexistent if the basic settings are correct. This translates into a much higher print success rate, less material waste, and less frustration.
2. Lower Costs, Greater Efficiency
Let’s look at the economic side. ASA filament has a per-kilogram cost that is, on average, higher than that of PETG. When you factor in the energy expense of keeping a heated build chamber running for hours and the higher risk of failed prints, it’s clear that choosing PETG translates into significant savings—savings you can reinvest in more filament or other upgrades for your business.
3. Aesthetics and Color Variety
ASA is available in a rather limited color range. PETG, on the other hand, boasts an incredible variety of colors, including transparent and translucent versions that ASA cannot offer. This opens up a world of creative and functional possibilities. Moreover, the surface finish of PETG is generally glossier and shinier, giving parts a more refined and professional appearance right from the start. With the addition of transparent coating 3Dbooster UV Shield, the finish becomes even more uniform and lustrous.
More Than UV Protection: The Hidden Power of Clear Coat
The real turning point of this combination is the post-print application of a dedicated protective coating. Our 3Dbooster UV Shield does more than simply block the ultraviolet rays that yellow and weaken the plastic. Its application delivers two fundamental advantages for functional parts:
- Total Waterproofing: FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D prints inherently contain micro-gaps between layers. Although extremely small, these voids make the part porous and susceptible to water infiltration. The clear coat hermetically seals these gaps, creating a continuous barrier that renders the print completely waterproof.
- Hydrolysis Resistance: Moisture and prolonged contact with water can trigger hydrolysis in PETG, degrading its mechanical properties. By sealing the surface, the protective coating prevents water from coming into direct contact with the polymer, ensuring greater durability and reliability of the part over time.
- Prevents mold and moss growth: although ASA is hydrophobic, the surface roughness created by the layers can trap dust and organic matter, which in humid environments fosters the development of mold, fungi, and moss. The glossy protective layer of the varnish drastically reduces this phenomenon. In this regard, 3DBooster UV-Shield is a valuable ally for ASA as well as for PETG.
- Preserve color longevity: although ASA’s mechanical strength is guaranteed outdoors, the same cannot always be said for color retention—especially with light shades such as white and yellow or with particularly complex pigments like red. Using 3DBooster UV Shield ensures significantly longer-lasting color.
So, if, for the reasons just outlined, it might be wise to coat ASA with a protective varnish; you might as well go straight to PETG and enjoy the cost, finish and colour benefits listed earlier. Still hunting for the “best 3D printing material for outdoor use”?
In practice, with a quick and simple painting operation, you not only protect your part from sunlight but also turn it into a monolithic, waterproof, and remarkably more durable object.
Conclusion: The Smart Choice for Outdoor Use
If you’re looking for performance, reliability, and value, the answer is no longer— or not only— ASA. The combination of PETG and a UV-protective coating represents an evolution in the way we design 3D-printed parts for outdoor use. You’ll enjoy the ease of printing and versatility of PETG while achieving weather resistance and durability that can rival and often surpass those of ASA, at a lower overall cost and with unparalleled aesthetic freedom.
Don’t let ASA printing challenges hold your projects back. Choose the smarter, faster, and more efficient route. Discover how our UV-protective shield can transform your PETG prints. Visit the product page to find the best 3D printing material for outdoor use and take your projects to the next level.
3DBooster UV-Shield can also be painted and sanded