3D Printing for Automotive and Car Enthusiasts
Why PLA fails in cars
PLA softens at 55 C. The inside of a parked Australian car easily exceeds 70 C. A PLA dashboard mount that looks great in winter warps into uselessness on a summer afternoon. This is the single most common reason custom car parts fail in 3D printing.
Material picks by location
| Location | Material |
|---|---|
| Dashboard / sun-exposed interior | ASA |
| Vents, control panel surrounds (indoor heat) | ABS or ASA |
| Under-bonnet shaded parts | PETG or PC |
| Engine bay near heat sources | PC or PA-CF |
| Exterior body trim (UV exposed) | ASA or ASA CF |
| Boot organisers (cool, indoor) | PETG or PLA+ |
| Phone holders, cup holders (interior trim) | ASA |
| RC car bodies and brackets | ABS or PETG |
Common automotive print projects
- Custom phone and tablet mounts
- Replacement interior trim clips and tabs
- Air vent inserts and surrounds
- Cargo organisers and trunk dividers
- Antenna mounts and base brackets
- Engine bay cable routing and harness clips
- Custom badge replacements
- Workshop tools and jigs for car work
Sydney 24/7 pickup
Sydney customers can collect at any hour from the 24/7 self-serve pickup locker at the Siddament warehouse, 90 Victoria Road, North Parramatta NSW 2151. Order online, pick up at 2 am if you need to.