Build Plate Care & Cleaning
Maintain perfect first-layer adhesion with proper build plate maintenance.
Why is my filament not sticking to the plate?
Wash the plate with warm water and dish soap, scrub with a sponge or plastic brush, rinse and dry with a paper towel: that is Bambu's first fix for adhesion problems. Between washes a 90%+ IPA wipe on a cool plate is fine, but IPA alone tends to spread finger oils. If washing stops helping, the plate itself may be worn out; our build plate buying guide compares replacements that fit Bambu printers.
What you need
- BIQU PyroGrip PEI Plate 257×257: A textured PEI spare for when your plate is scratched or worn smooth. View on Amazon
- TEQStone Bed Adhesive Glue Stick 6-Pack: Glue for the thin release coat Bambu recommends on the Cool Plate and for the Engineering Plate. View on Amazon
- UniTak3D Double-Sided PEI 257×257: Smooth PEI on one side and textured on the other, two surfaces in one plate. View on Amazon
Affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
| Material | Cool Plate (old) | Textured PEI | Smooth PEI | Eng. Plate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 35–45°C | 45–65°C | 45–65°C | 45–65°C, glue required |
| PETG | Not recommended | 60–80°C | 60–80°C | 60–80°C |
| ABS/ASA | Not recommended | 90–100°C | 90–100°C | 90–100°C |
| TPU | Not recommended | 35–45°C | 35–45°C | 30–35°C |
| PA/Nylon | Not recommended | 100–120°C | 100–120°C | 100–120°C |
| PC | Not recommended | 100–120°C | 100–120°C | 100–120°C |
| Plate | Surface | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cool Plate SuperTack | SuperTack coating on spring steel | PLA, PETG (no glue needed; never TPU; Bambu advises against its own PLA Silk) |
| Cool Plate (discontinued) | PC sheet, glue stick as release agent | PLA |
| Textured PEI | Textured | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA, PC |
| Smooth PEI (High-Temp Plate) | Smooth PEI | PLA; PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA, PC with glue (Bambu) |
| Engineering Plate | Frosted high-temp | PA, PC, PPA + glue |
This 30-second routine prevents most adhesion problems:
- Let the plate cool. Never clean a hot plate with IPA (it evaporates instantly without cleaning).
- Spray 90%+ IPA onto the plate or onto a cloth
- Wipe with a clean, lint-free cloth
- Wipe in one direction; don't scrub back and forth
- Let dry for 10–15 seconds
70% rubbing alcohol contains water and additives that leave residue. 90%+ IPA evaporates cleanly. This single change fixes adhesion for many users.
- Remove the plate from the printer
- Wash with warm water and dish soap; on Textured PEI scrub with a sponge, scouring pad or plastic brush so the soap reaches into the texture (Bambu)
- Rinse thoroughly. No soap residue
- Dry with a clean cloth or let air dry
- IPA wipe before using
Textured PEI: light sanding
If the textured surface has been glazed by repeated printing, light sanding restores texture. Use fine sandpaper or steel wool (Bambu), then wash off all sanding debris and IPA wipe. Removes the glazed layer and exposes fresh PEI.
Cool Plate (discontinued): wash, then check for damage
Bambu's fix is a wash with warm water and dish soap, then dry with a paper towel. Deep scratches from nozzle crashes can't be repaired: the plate needs replacement.
Cool Plate SuperTack: clean only when dirty
SuperTack holds PLA and PETG without glue and needs no frequent cleaning. Clean it with water and detergent only when it is visibly dirty, never with acetone or other organic solvents. The surface is soft; scratches from the scraper do not affect use (Bambu).
New plate not sticking
New plates sometimes have a factory protective film. Wash with soap and water before first use. The first few prints on a brand-new plate sometimes don't adhere as well as on a broken-in plate.
Plates are consumables. Replace when:
- Deep scratches or gouges from nozzle crashes
- Adhesion consistently fails despite cleaning and resurfacing
- Surface has worn smooth (textured plates lose texture over time)
- PEI coating is delaminating from the spring steel
For a replacement that fits your printer, textured or smooth PEI, see our guide to the best build plates for Bambu Lab.
- Don't use acetone on PEI or the Cool Plate SuperTack. It destroys the surface
- Don't touch the print area with bare hands (finger oils kill adhesion)
- Don't carry the Textured PEI tips over to smooth plates: Bambu's scouring-pad, sandpaper and steel-wool advice covers the Textured PEI Plate only
- Don't print PETG on the old Cool Plate (the Cool Plate SuperTack is fine for PETG): Bambu lists it as not recommended; it bonds too aggressively and can rip the surface
- Don't print TPU on the Cool Plate SuperTack: Bambu says it damages the plate
- Don't clean a hot plate
Sources: Bambu Lab Wiki, Introduction to Bambu Lab Build Plates (updated 2026-09-28) · Bambu Lab Wiki, Bambu Cool Plate SuperTack (updated 2026-08-24) · Bambu Lab Wiki, Cool Plate troubleshooting guide (discontinued plate, updated 2026-08-05)
| SuperTack | PLA, PETG, no glue |
| Cool Plate (old) | PLA only |
| Smooth PEI | Smooth, most materials |
| Textured PEI | Textured, most materials |
| Eng. Plate | High-temp. PA/PC/PPA |
Bambu recommends a thin coat of glue stick as release agent and lists PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA and PC as not recommended on this plate. It is discontinued; its successor, the Cool Plate SuperTack, takes PLA and PETG without glue.
Textured PEI lasts longer, keep a spare Cool Plate SuperTack for PLA- and PETG-heavy workflows.
Our PicksNeed gear? Our tested picks · All accessories
Tools for this job
Keep the plate gripping like new.
Doubles as the release agent Bambu recommends on the Cool Plate and extra grip for warp-prone materials.
Amazon →
The replacement when your textured PEI is scratched or worn smooth. Same mount, half of Bambu's price.
Amazon →Smooth on one side, textured on the other: two fresh surfaces from a single plate swap.
Amazon →Affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.