Hawaii is hard on plastic: sun, salt air, rain and heat. Tell us where your part will live, and we’ll match the material. Here’s how our three compare.
Short answer: PETG is the economical all-rounder, indoors or outdoors. HDPE or polypropylene suit parts that are submerged or used in a marine setting. Not sure? Tell us where the part will live and we’ll pick.
| Material | Color and finish | Good for | Paint and polish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber reinforced PETG | White, matte | Economical all-rounder, indoors and outdoors. UV stabilized for sun. | Paints and polishes well. |
| Clear PETG | Clear, glossy | See-through parts. Best indoors or sheltered. For outdoor use it can be coated with a clear UV protective paint. | Polishes. Can also be coated with clear UV protective paint. |
| Fiber reinforced HDPE | Light grey-green | Parts that are submerged or used in a marine setting, and tough in knocks and wear. UV stabilized. | Not made to hold paint. Flame treatment helps paint stick. |
| Fiber reinforced polypropylene | White, matte | Marine and outdoor parts. UV stabilized. | Paints and polishes. |
Salt air and rain are fine for all of them. Constant water points to HDPE or polypropylene. Heat above a material’s service temperature can affect any plastic part, and a dark part in direct sun gets hot, so tell us where it will be used and what color you want. We plan around those conditions.
The reinforced grades are fiber reinforced, so they are stronger than unfilled plastic. We also offer a clear PETG when you need to see through the part.
They’re made from recycled feedstock and can be recycled again at end of life. Our stock materials don’t carry a fire rating, but a fire-rated material can be added for your project.
Layered lines, from about 1/16 in to 3/8 in. We can leave them as part of the look or mill the outside for a smooth finished surface.
Send us your measurements on our Contact Us page. You can attach files. Prefer to talk it through? Call our office and speak with a friendly, helpful representative, or visit our showroom.
See what we’re adding: Large-format 3D printing, made in Honolulu. Or compare your options: Large-format 3D printing vs other methods.
