My workbench is completely covered in fine ABS dust right now, honestly. We had eight different compounds battling it out over two full weeks of continuous sanding and curing cycles. Finding the single best plastic filler for abs 3d prints required a lot of ugly testing, but the clear winners are now totally obvious. I focused not only on how smoothly the product applied but, crucially, how well it integrated chemically with the ABS plastic to create a strong, seamless finish that minimizes the need for heavy post-processing. I’ve broken down exactly what I discovered during this rigorous testing phase so you can find the perfect product for your next project.
FUNCRECOL UV Light Curing Putty for 3D Prints Fast Repair
I was immediately interested in the technical promise of UV curing because minimizing wait time is crucial for my high-volume projects. I had serious doubts about how well a light-activated compound would bond with the unique chemistry of ABS. The concept of an almost instantaneous repair material felt like science fiction compared to traditional two-part epoxy fillers.
My Testing Experience: I applied this directly to deep layer lines on a helmet prop I was working on that needed a flawless surface. The toothpaste consistency made precise filling easy, but the real magic was watching it harden in seconds under the small UV flashlight I keep nearby. I observed 85D hardness almost instantly, making sanding feasible within the same minute, which absolutely blew away my expectations for speed.
Key Specifications: Curing time: < 1 minute (UV light); Hardness: 85D Shore; Consistency: Paste; Multi-purpose use for resin and plastic models.
Who It’s For: This is the ultimate speed solution for makers working on large-scale props who cannot afford overnight cure times. I recommend it specifically for repairing pinholes and surface imperfections, but skip it if you don’t have a reliable UV light source handy. This formula is a strong candidate for the best plastic filler for abs 3d prints when rapid prototyping is essential.
DO3D 15 Colors 3D Pen ABS Filament Refill Pack
My test for this material wasn’t about filling a gap with traditional putty, but about creating an actual ABS weld, effectively turning this filament into a chemical filler when used with a pen or acetone. I chose the dark grey filament to bridge a critical stress crack on a highly functional jig that absolutely needed mechanical strength. I know that filament welding creates the strongest, most homogenous fill available for ABS.
My Testing Experience: Running this through my 3D pen was surprisingly smooth; I didn’t experience the jamming I often see in cheaper filament samples. I used a small amount of acetone to create a slurry from this material and then applied the softened plastic mixture directly into the crack, effectively welding the two sides back together. The resulting bond was exceptionally strong after curing for a few hours, proving its value far beyond simple drawing.
Key Specifications: Diameter: 1.75mm; Colors: 15 Solid Colors; Material: ABS Plastic; Compatibility: Most 1.75mm pens/printers (Not 3Doodler).
Who It’s For: I found this works best for advanced users who understand ABS welding techniques or need reliable color-matching capability during structural repair. It’s ideal for structural repairs where mechanical strength is more important than surface smoothness, as the finish will require more sanding.
MIKA3D 24 Colors 1.75mm ABS 3D Pen Filament Refill
The biggest visual challenge in functional ABS prints is hiding a repair line, which is exactly the problem this expansive color selection aims to solve. I needed a filler that didn’t just smooth the surface but actually blended into the original plastic without requiring heavy priming. The sheer quantity of color options available here immediately suggested high potential for aesthetic matching.
My Testing Experience: I intentionally broke a small, cyan-colored ABS enclosure to rigorously test the color-matching ability of this comprehensive pack. I mixed a small amount of the cyan filament with acetone to create a perfectly color-matched paste, which I then carefully applied to the break. The resulting fill cured slowly, creating a chemical bond that minimized shrinkage, leaving only a faint seam line that virtually disappeared after light sanding.
Key Specifications: Diameter: 1.75mm; Colors: 24 Solid Colors (Wide assortment); Material: 100% New ABS; Length: 94.5m total.
Who It’s For: This pack is fantastic for the user focused on aesthetics and color continuity, especially if they are making prototypes or finished pieces that will not be painted. If you only print in black and white, the high color count might be overkill, but the raw ABS material quality is excellent for slurry creation regardless.
NoClogger 3D Printing Glue, CA-Based Adhesive, Fast-Drying for Models
I typically avoid standard super glue for structural ABS repairs because the bond is often brittle and fails under dynamic stress. I wanted to see how this specialized, industrial-strength CA adhesive compared to the typical epoxy or filament welding methods I usually employ for ABS part assembly. My goal was to determine if it could replace slower chemical methods for quick, strong joints.
My Testing Experience: I intentionally split two large ABS pieces designed for interlocking stress and bonded them using this product, bypassing traditional fillers entirely to see the raw strength. Unlike cheaper CA glues I’ve used, this set almost instantly, and when I tried to re-break the joint using torque, the plastic failed before the adhesive did. I found the precision tip invaluable for intricate assemblies and minor seam filling.
Key Specifications: Type: Industrial Cyanoacrylate (CA); Use: Bonds PLA, ABS, PETG, Resin; Bottle Size: 40g;
Who It’s For: This is your go-to solution for structural assembly and fast reinforcement, especially for functional parts that require instant strength and don’t require heavy filling. However, I found it less suitable for smoothing wide surface areas or filling minor pinholes, as traditional putties handle shallow smoothing much better.
BBLIFE 22 Colors 1.75mm ABS 3D Printer/Pen Filament Sample Pack
When working with materials designed for chemical welding, consistency and raw material quality are paramount, especially if I’m dissolving the plastic for a filler slurry. I focused my assessment entirely on the purity and dimensional stability of this filament sample pack, knowing that inconsistent filament leads to grainy, poor-curing filler paste.
My Testing Experience: I tested three random colors for their melting point and acetone solubility against a known ABS standard. I found the material to be highly consistent, yielding a very smooth, controllable slurry that didn’t clump or dry out too quickly during the filling process on a complex geometric print. This consistency translated directly to less sanding later on, which is a major time saver when surface finish is critical.
Key Specifications: Diameter: 1.75mm; Colors: 22 Solid Colors; Material: High Quality ABS; Compatibility: FDM 3D Printer and 3D Pen.
Who It’s For: I see this as the best plastic filler for abs 3d prints when you need a reliable, high-purity source specifically for creating acetone welding slurry. It’s an excellent value pack for someone who needs robust material for both printing small parts and advanced post-processing, offering excellent material consistency for reliable filling.
Top 3 Best Plastic Filler for Abs 3d Prints: My Expert Ranking
Throughout my extensive testing journey, I consistently returned to three materials that offered distinct advantages depending on the repair objective.
For the user prioritizing speed and immediate sanding capability, the clear winner is the FUNCRECOL UV Light Curing Putty. Its ultra-fast cure time under UV light (under 60 seconds) means you can move instantly from filling a void to sanding and priming, something no traditional two-part filler or ABS slurry can achieve. The trade-off is the need for a UV light source and the fact that this is a synthetic filler, not chemically identical ABS. I recommend this for cosmetic surface finishing on large props.
If your primary goal is creating an invisible, structural chemical bond that maintains the integrity of the original ABS plastic, then the MIKA3D 24 Colors 1.75mm ABS Filament is the superior choice. The wide selection of 24 colors is crucial because it allows me to create a color-matched ABS slurry using acetone, minimizing the visibility of the repair before painting, and maximizing the chemical weld strength. This approach is slower due to acetone curing time (hours), but it results in the strongest, most homogenous fill.
Finally, for users focused purely on fast assembly and reinforcement of functional joints rather than cosmetic surface filling, I confidently recommend the NoClogger 3D Printing Glue. While not a traditional putty, its industrial-grade CA formula provides unparalleled instant bonding strength for joining complex ABS parts together. I found this adhesive dramatically outperformed basic super glues in stress tests, making it the fastest option for adding strength to stress points or assembling large multi-part projects quickly.
What I Prioritize in Best Plastic Filler for Abs 3d Prints
When I evaluate potential fillers for ABS, I look beyond simple price and focusing heavily on chemical properties and workability. Since ABS is a solvent-sensitive plastic, the absolute best plastic filler for abs 3d prints will either be chemically identical (ABS filament used for welding) or completely inert and extremely hard (like high-quality putty). I always check the material’s hardness rating post-cure, because a filler that is softer than the surrounding ABS will sand unevenly and create waves on the surface.
I also place a high value on low shrinkage, especially when filling deep voids or correcting large warps. Excessive shrinkage requires multiple filling sessions and greatly increases the overall cure time, adding days to a project. My testing showed that UV-curing putties and chemically welded ABS slurry offered the lowest visible shrinkage, unlike some two-part epoxies I’ve avoided in this review that tend to pull away from the edges as they cure.
Application Types & Best Options
I’ve learned that one filler never fits all, so choosing the right product depends entirely on your specific repair scenario. If you are working on a high-detail miniature or small model where curing time is less important than achieving a perfectly homogenous structure, I recommend using the ABS filament to create a custom slurry; this method yields a near-invisible repair after painting.
For large cosmetic props, like helmets or armor, where speed is paramount and the part will be primed and painted anyway, I always reach for the FUNCRECOL UV Putty. This allows me to fill, cure, and sand large areas in less than an hour, significantly cutting down on production time. If you’re assembling multi-part functional prototypes that require load-bearing joints, the NoClogger CA glue is the fastest and most reliable option for creating an industrial-strength bond between separate pieces.
Common Questions About Best Plastic Filler for Abs 3d Prints
What Is the Best Plastic Filler for Abs 3d Prints for High-Detail Finishing?
In my experience, the best material for high-detail finishing is a homemade ABS slurry created by dissolving high-quality ABS filament (like MIKA3D or BBLIFE) in acetone. This chemically identical filler flows easily into fine details, eliminates layer lines, and provides a surface that sands perfectly smooth because it is literally fused plastic.
How Do I Make an ABS Slurry or ABS Cement?
I make ABS cement by cutting up small pieces of ABS filament and soaking them in a small, sealed glass jar filled with pure acetone. I recommend starting with a ratio of about 1 part filament to 3 parts acetone, letting it dissolve completely over several hours until it reaches a thick, peanut-butter-like consistency. This thick paste is what I apply for filling and welding.
Does UV Curing Putty Bond Chemically with ABS Plastic?
No, UV curing putties like FUNCRECOL generally create a mechanical bond, not a chemical weld like an acetone slurry. The putty adheres strongly to the rough ABS surface and cures rapidly to an extremely hard solid (85D Shore), making it excellent for surface finishing and filling, but it does not melt and fuse the underlying ABS structure itself.
Can I Sand and Paint ABS Fillers Immediately After Application?
The ability to sand immediately depends entirely on the filler type. I found that UV Curing Putty can be sanded almost instantly (within 60 seconds). However, chemical welders (ABS slurry) require several hours, sometimes up to 24 hours, to fully cure and allow the acetone to evaporate completely before sanding or painting.
What are the Drawbacks of Using Cyanoacrylate Glue for ABS Repairs?
While CA glue offers instant structural strength, the main drawbacks I observed are its brittleness and poor gap-filling capabilities for surface imperfections. It creates a strong bond, but it is not flexible and cannot be used effectively to smooth out broad layer lines; it is best reserved for bonding separate parts together rather than acting as a traditional surface filler.
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