Bed adhesion sprays

Release agents and adhesion promoters used on the G1 build plate. The right product depends on the bed surface (glass, PEI, wood) and the material being printed.

When you need a spray

• Glass bed + PETG → can stick too well, use a release agent
• Glass bed + PLA → light spray helps grip on cold first layers
• Any bed + large parts that warp → adhesion promoter
• Switching between materials that need different adhesion strategies

Common products

Product	Type	Best for
DimaFix	Adhesion promoter (sticks more)	Glass bed, large parts, ABS, PETG-GF
MagiGoo	Adhesion promoter	Glass / PEI, most polymers
3DLac	Hairspray-style adhesion	PLA, light use
Hairspray (lacca)	Adhesion promoter	PLA / rPLA on glass — confirmed by official Ginger video
RainX	Release agent (sticks less)	Glass + PETG when removal is hard
PVA glue stick	Adhesion promoter	Budget option, glass / PEI

Note

Customers report DimaFix and MagiGoo as the most reliable for production environments.

How to apply

Adhesion promoter (DimaFix, MagiGoo)

1. Bed cold (room temp)
2. Spray a thin, even layer across the print area
3. Let dry for ~30 seconds (it goes from wet to a slight dry haze)
4. Heat the bed and start printing
5. Reapply every few prints — a single application can cover multiple jobs

Hairspray (lacca spray) — for PLA

Confirmed by the official Ginger Additive support video as a valid adhesion promoter for PLA on the glass bed:

1. Bed cold
2. Spray a light, even coat across the print area
3. Let dry before heating the bed
4. Heat the bed and start printing

Release agent (RainX, similar)

RainX automotive water repellent is the recommended release agent for PETG on glass.

1. Bed cold
2. Spray very lightly only on areas where parts stick too hard
3. Wipe gently with a clean cloth so a thin film remains
4. Heat and print

Caution

Don’t mix promoter and release on the same bed without cleaning first — they cancel each other and create an unpredictable surface.

Combined technique: RainX + DimaFix for PETG

For demanding PETG prints (large surface area, high warp risk), the most reliable approach is a two-product combination:

1. Apply RainX first as a base layer (water-repellent prevents PETG bonding too hard to bare glass)
2. Let it dry completely
3. Apply a thin layer of DimaFix on top (adhesion promoter for secure first layer)

This combination gives better control than either product alone: parts release cleanly when cold but adhere reliably during printing. Confirmed by Ginger Additive support across multiple customer cases.

Note

This technique only applies to the glass bed. On PEI, PETG typically does not require a release agent underneath.

Cleaning the bed between products

When switching between sprays:

1. Bed cold
2. Wipe with isopropyl alcohol (≥ 90%) and a clean microfiber cloth
3. For stubborn build-up, use warm soapy water, then dry, then alcohol
4. Apply the new product on a clean dry bed

Bed-specific notes

Glass bed

• Most flexible: works with any spray
• PETG sticks too hard without a release agent — RainX or thin DimaFix layer
• Easy to clean with alcohol
• PETG on bare glass can chip the glass surface when removing the print — always apply 3DLac, DimaFix, or RainX as a protective release layer before printing PETG on glass
• PETG with absorbed moisture sticks even harder — damp PETG can grip glass so strongly that the entire glass bed shatters when the print cools. Dry PETG before printing and always use a release layer. Confirmed in multiple customer cases (complete glass shattering, not just chipping).

Glass bed replacement specs

If the glass bed cracks or shatters, replace with:

• 120 × 120 cm, 6 mm thick, tempered glass
• Order from a local glass supplier — typically 50–70€
• Alternative tested by customers: 4 mm glass-fiber (G10) sheet — works but leaves surface texture marks on the print underside and is more expensive

PEI bed

• Often doesn’t need spray for PLA / PETG
• For very large or warp-prone parts, light DimaFix
• Don’t use abrasive cleaners — damages the surface

Wood bed (older units)

• Needs more aggressive promoter
• Light DimaFix or PVA glue stick works
• Replace the wood surface periodically as it degrades

Common issues

• Print sticks too hard, can’t release → use a release agent, or wait for the bed to cool fully before removal
• Print lifts mid-print (warping) → use an adhesion promoter, increase bed temp, add a brim
• Inconsistent adhesion across the bed → bed not flat, mesh leveling needed; see Z offset and first layer
• Build-up of old product → clean with alcohol, reapply fresh

How to prevent adhesion problems

• Choose the right product for your bed + material combination
• Apply on a cold, clean bed — never spray a hot bed (uneven, can damage surface)
• Reapply periodically rather than printing on a depleted layer
• Tune Z offset correctly first — most “adhesion problems” are actually first-layer height

Notes

• Pattern observed across many customer cases
• Most adhesion complaints are solved by (a) correct Z offset then (b) right spray — in that order
• DimaFix is a popular default for production users

Related notes

• Z offset and first layer
• Bed surface
• Bed heater
• PETG clear
• PLA virgin