What chemical is typically used to rinse away excess resin from prints made with an SLA resin printer?

Using alcohol, specifically isopropyl alcohol (IPA), is the standard practice for rinsing away excess resin from prints made with a stereolithography (SLA) resin printer. The reason for this is that alcohol effectively dissolves uncured resin without damaging the cured print, allowing for thorough cleaning while minimizing the risk of impacting the quality and integrity of the final product.

In contrast, acetone is typically too aggressive as a solvent for SLA resins and can damage the prints. Water is not effective because SLA resin is not water-soluble, so it wouldn't rinse away the uncured resin effectively. PVA solution is used as a support material for certain types of 3D printing but is not suitable for rinsing excess resin. Using alcohol is a well-established method in the post-processing phase for SLA prints, ensuring the final piece is clean and ready for further finishing or use.