# How do I get a smooth surface finish?

Start with layer height, supports, and flow. These threads do not share one finish temperature, and the highest-scored ironing reply says not to use ironing.

Start with layer height, supports, and flow. These threads do not share one finish temperature, and the highest-scored ironing reply says not to use ironing.

A smoother face in these threads is a shorter layer, a supported underside, and a flow ratio that matches that spool. Matte filament is what two of the posters were already running.

## Layer height and overhangs

[r/FixMyPrint 1r2xxe4](https://www.reddit.com/r/FixMyPrint/comments/1r2xxe4/) uses a 0.2 mm nozzle, Bambu Lab matte, and 0.10 mm layers, with the AMS moisture meter on B. The score-57 reply says the rough surfaces are overhangs printed in air, and that a 0.2 mm nozzle allows less overhang than a 0.4 mm nozzle. A score-9 reply says the underside will not look clean without soluble supports, and that splitting the model is the practical fix. Detail limits are on [FDM detail](/answers/high_detail). Wall count is on [walls versus infill](/answers/wall_count).

[r/BambuLab 10k03sy](https://www.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/10k03sy/) is Bambu matte PLA at 0.08 mm on a P1P. The score-16 reply treats the bands as a layer-consistency bug. A score-4 reply sets matte white to a flow ratio of 0.93 instead of 0.98. [PLA Matte](/brand/bambu-lab/pla-matte) lists 190–230 °C (374–446 °F), a bed of 50–70 °C (122–158 °F), and drying at 50 °C (122 °F) for 8 h. The 0.93 ratio is the comment. Matte as a look is [matte PLA](/answers/matte). Sanding and paint are [sanding](/answers/sanding).

Another score-4 reply on that thread says they print PETG at 270 °C (518 °F) so the lines melt together. 270 °C (518 °F) is that comment. It is above the 260 °C (500 °F) top of Bambu PETG HF and SUNLU PETG.

## When the lines are the machine

[r/FixMyPrint 190yq18](https://www.reddit.com/r/FixMyPrint/comments/190yq18/) prints two white bodies with the same settings and gets one rough part. The score-20 reply says to check the lead screws and the eccentric nuts. A score-5 reply retells a video in which PLA took on enough moisture in 6 hours to change print quality. Six hours is that retelling. The drying figures that are measured live on the [filament drying dataset](/data/filament-drying).

## Ironing and white filament

[r/prusa3d 12lmmhs](https://www.reddit.com/r/prusa3d/comments/12lmmhs/) is a first ironing pass on Prusa Mini PLA. The score-19 reply says not to iron. A score-3 reply steps ironing flow up by 5 percent and, for a single print, uses an ironing speed of 70–80. The same reply names ASA and acetone vapor for emblems. [Prusament PLA](/brand/prusament/pla) lists 205–225 °C (401–437 °F) and a bed of 40–60 °C (104–140 °F). [PolyLite ASA](/brand/polymaker/polylite-asa) lists 235–260 °C (455–500 °F) and a bed of 90–110 °C (194–230 °F). This page does not add an acetone temperature.

[r/3Dprinting 1j4uiop](https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/1j4uiop/) is white filament that splits between layers. The score-48 reply blames a draft and a layer that cooled before the next one. A score-16 reply says white pigment needs more heat and to raise the nozzle by 10 to 15 degrees, and a later reply corrects the pigment name to titanium dioxide. [PolyLite PLA](/brand/polymaker/polylite-pla) stops at 230 °C (446 °F), so that increase only fits when the result is still inside 190–230 °C (374–446 °F). [PLA](/material/pla) is the material page.

Updated 2026-10-20. Sources accessed 2026-10-20. Use case: Finishing.

## Ranked filaments

| Rank | Filament | Nozzle | Bed | Price per kg |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Bambu Lab PLA Matte | 190–230 °C (374–446 °F) | 50–70 °C (122–158 °F) | — |
| 2 | Polymaker Polylite PLA | 190–230 °C (374–446 °F) | 25–60 °C (77–140 °F) | — |
| 3 | Prusament PLA | 205–225 °C (401–437 °F) | 40–60 °C (104–140 °F) | — |
| 4 | Polymaker Polylite ASA | 235–260 °C (455–500 °F) | 90–110 °C (194–230 °F) | — |

## What the community says

r/FixMyPrint 1r2xxe4 is a 0.2 mm nozzle, Bambu Lab matte, 0.10 mm layers, and an AMS moisture reading of B, with stringing and mixed surfaces. The score-57 reply says the model is printing on air and that a 0.2 mm nozzle allows less overhang than a 0.4 mm nozzle. A score-9 reply says the underside will not look pristine without soluble supports, and that splitting the model is the better route. r/BambuLab 10k03sy is new Bambu matte PLA at 0.08 mm on a P1P. The score-16 reply calls the layer pattern a widespread consistency bug and says to open a ticket. A score-6 reply questions 0.08 mm. A score-5 reply says to recalibrate and tune flow by hand. A score-4 reply sets matte white to a flow ratio of 0.93 instead of 0.98. Another score-4 reply says they print PETG at 270 °C (518 °F) to melt layer lines together. r/FixMyPrint 190yq18 is two white parts, same filament and settings, one with stronger layer lines. The score-20 reply suspects Z binding. A score-5 reply seconds humidity and retells a video in which PLA picked up enough moisture in 6 hours to matter. r/prusa3d 12lmmhs is a first ironing attempt on a Prusa Mini in PLA. The score-19 reply says not to iron. A score-3 reply increases ironing flow by 5 percent at a time and, for a single print, uses an ironing speed of 70–80, and mentions ASA with acetone vapor for emblems. r/3Dprinting 1j4uiop is white filament that breaks between layers and is strong otherwise. The score-48 reply says the previous layer is too cool, worse in a draft and on a thin wall. A score-16 reply blames white pigment, says titanium oxide and is corrected to titanium dioxide, and says to try a tower or raise the nozzle by 10 to 15 degrees. The poster says the room had an air conditioner running.

## Sources

- [Bambu PLA Matte technical data sheet](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0584/7236/6216/files/Bambu_PLA_Matte_Technical_Data_Sheet_60a941f9-8495-48ec-b1b0-52e07ff0f4c2.pdf?v=1734060943) (datasheet)
- [PolyLite PLA technical data sheet](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0548/7299/7945/files/PolyLite_PLA_TDS_EN_V5.4.pdf) (datasheet)
- [PolyLite ASA technical data sheet](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0548/7299/7945/files/PolyLite_ASA_TDS_EN_V5.4.pdf) (datasheet)
- [Open Filament Database, Prusament PLA](https://api.openfilamentdatabase.org/api/v1/brands/prusament/materials/PLA/filaments/pla/index.json) (other)
- [Community source, r/FixMyPrint 1r2xxe4](https://www.reddit.com/r/FixMyPrint/comments/1r2xxe4/) (reddit)
- [Community source, r/BambuLab 10k03sy](https://www.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/10k03sy/) (reddit)
- [Community source, r/FixMyPrint 190yq18](https://www.reddit.com/r/FixMyPrint/comments/190yq18/) (reddit)
- [Community source, r/prusa3d 12lmmhs](https://www.reddit.com/r/prusa3d/comments/12lmmhs/) (reddit)
- [Community source, r/3Dprinting 1j4uiop](https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/1j4uiop/) (reddit)

HTML: https://filamentfacts.com/answers/surface