Surface Finish: Blasting
Suitable Technology: SLS
Advantages:
Gives smooth texture to the surface
Makes surface paintable
Low-cost
Considerations:
Might lead to dimensional inaccuracy
Does not give a smooth finish
Surface Finish: Bead Blasting
Suitable Technology: SLS
Advantages:
Preservation of the part’s dimensions
Considerations:
Requires the use of extra materials
Surface Finish: Chemical Vapour Polishing / Vapour Smoothing
Suitable Technology: MJF, SLS
Advantages:
Shiny finish
Considerations:
Lack of versatility
Surface Finish: Media Tumbling
Suitable Technology: SLS
Advantages:
Good for small parts
Considerations:
Size limitations for large parts
Time-consuming
Surface Finish: Spray Painting
Suitable Technology: MJF
Advantages:
Cheap and rapid
Considerations:
Applies only on the surface; inner color visible if the surface is scratched
Surface Finish: Dyeing
Suitable Technology: MJF (black), SLS (black, blue, green, red, yellow)
Advantages:
Dye penetrates into the part instead of only the surface
Very durable with superior aesthetics
Considerations:
Costly compared to spray painting