Summary of "The Best Filament for 3D Printing Car Parts (NOT ASA/ABS)"

Product reviewed

PETCF filament (carbon-fiber filled PET variant; brand mentioned as Bamboo Lab) for 3D printing car parts—especially useful for people using a bedslinger (open-frame) 3D printer such as the Bambu Lab A1 (not typically recommended for high-heat plastics like ABS/ASA).

Key features / what it’s claimed to do

Works on a bedslinger/open printer (no enclosure required), where ABS/ASA typically need enclosure and/or ventilation.
High heat resistance: described as suitable for under-the-hood use and car interior exposure.
Good UV resistance: explicitly called out.
Heat performance (from the video):
- Printing at about a 270°C nozzle
- About a 90°C bed (bed temp described as approximate)
Reported durability in real-world driving conditions:
- A cup holder made from PETCF was daily driven in North Carolina
- Interior temps reportedly reached 100°F+ with sun exposure
- Described as “rock solid” even on the hottest days.
Car-part use case: recommended for small brackets and interior/exterior non-critical parts
- Example demonstration: spark plug wire separators using a zip-tie clamp-style design.

Setup & user experience (how easy it is)

PETCF availability is described as not widely available compared to common filaments.
The printer setup includes preset settings for PETCF (at least on the creator’s machine), so no settings were changed.
Practical constraints / important notes:
- Use a hardened nozzle (carbon fiber filament is abrasive/gritty).
- Do not run PETCF/carbon-fiber through AMS tubes, as it can wear them out.
- The creator bypassed AMS and fed filament straight into the extruder/nozzle.

Print results (performance)

The spark plug wire separators printed successfully using:
- ~270°C nozzle
- ~90°C bed
- ~20% infill
- 6 walls
Bed adhesion/removal: “comes off the plate pretty easy.”
Fit/design: parts were designed to work with zip ties and were successfully assembled.

Pros mentioned

Helps achieve car-part durability without the enclosure/ventilation that ABS/ASA often require.
Handles heat and UV well (based on both claims and the presenter’s long-term use).
Compatible workflow on printers that have PETCF presets (minimal tuning).
Low smell: PETCF reportedly “doesn’t put off very many bad smell[s],” unlike ABS which requires ventilation.
No enclosure needed for the presenter’s setup on a Bambu Lab A1.

Cons / limitations mentioned

Not cheap: described as “not the cheapest filament,” with a big jump from PLA to PETCF.
Harder on equipment:
- Requires a hardened nozzle
- AMS tubes not recommended for carbon fiber filaments
Unknown performance areas:
- Not tested/verified for being submerged in fluids
- Strength vs ABS not established (“don’t know what is stronger”)
- Uncertain for higher-stress parts like an intake

Comparisons made (explicitly vs ABS/ASA)

ABS/ASA are presented as the typical choices for high-heat car parts, but:
- They’re not practical on typical bedslinger/open printers without an enclosure and ventilation (and possibly sufficient printer heating capability).
PETCF is positioned as a workaround:
- For users with a Bambu Lab A1 or similar open-frame “toy printer”, PETCF can enable car parts that better survive heat and sun exposure where ABS/ASA would be harder.

Unique points mentioned (all)

PETCF is pitched as a way to print car parts when ABS/ASA are difficult to use.
The presenter uses a bedslinger/open printer context (Bambu Lab A1).
ABS/ASA are said to need enclosure and ventilation to be practical.
PETCF is claimed to be better than ABS/ASA (without detailed scientific proof).
PETCF availability is limited/not widely available.
Intended for interior and under-hood durability.
Real-world test: a cup holder survived daily driving and 100°F+ interior sun exposure; described as “rock solid.”
PETCF is said to resist heat and UV well.
Fluids/submersion performance is unknown.
Example printing parameters: - ~270°C nozzle - ~90°C bed - ~20% infill, 6 walls
PETCF presets exist (on the creator’s machine), reducing tuning.
Carbon fiber handling notes: - Use a hardened nozzle - Don’t use PETCF/carbon fiber through AMS tubes - Feed directly to the extruder/nozzle
PETCF reportedly needs no enclosure (at least in the presenter’s setup).
Smell: reportedly minimal bad smell compared to ABS.
Demonstration part: spark plug wire separators assembled using zip ties.
Cost: PLA → PETCF is a “big jump.”
Strength guidance: - Not sure how PETCF compares to ABS strength - For very high-load parts, metal is usually better
Uncertainty about larger/high-stress exterior parts (e.g., intake).

Speaker-specific views

Single main speaker (presenter): provides all product guidance, setup instructions (hardened nozzle, avoid AMS tubes), printing parameters, and real-world durability claims.

Concise verdict / recommendation

Recommended if you have an open-frame bedslinger printer (specifically like the Bambu Lab A1) and want a filament that can withstand car heat/UV better than typical options—without ABS/ASA-style enclosure/ventilation issues.

Main caveats: higher cost and the need for a hardened nozzle + bypass AMS. Strength for very demanding parts (e.g., intakes) is not proven in the video.