The possible answer to getting in scale woodgrain/interiour textiles/gator grain vinyl roof,tire tread and much more?

[Tyreman]

This is intersting...the new UV cured inkjet printers...they can print texture! so could be the woodgrain answer you have been looking for...print on thin plastic of thin glossy paper/masking tape...Mopar gator grain could be printed,any interiour textures you want and in colour...a good recent youtube video on UV 3D printer on Adam Savage tested...a lot $$ for just hobby builds...but suite cottage industry people who sell 3d printed parts.sell as aftermarket ..you can thank me later.

Edited May 18 by Tyreman
spelling.

[Tyreman]

Machine turned metal/fiberglass texture..seatbelts/licence plates.stick on and paint.

Edited May 18 by Tyreman

[peteski]

 

Great news Tony, but you didn't include any details like the name of the printer, etc.  New? This technology (UV-cures ink jet printers) have been been around for at least couple of decades, but have been (and still are) very expensive to buy and operate. Usually out of reach for an average hobbyist.

For example, https://www.tichytraingroup.com  but the inks they use are rather thick.  Archer rivet decals were also printed using that technology. Majority of models made by https://www.micro-trains.com/  are decorated (including the weathering) using this technology.  There are many more examples.  As I understand, the original application for waterproof, durable UV-cured ink printing was in the advertising industry. Anything that needed a small run of a company logo imprinted (like a golf ball for example) was done using this type of printing.

[DJMar]

UV cured inkjet ink isn't new, as already pointed out. Personally, I have my doubts about using this tech to replicate the things in 1:24/25 scale that were mentioned in the OP, but that's a discussion for another time.

It's certainly an interesting leap forward in home printing, so the video is posted below for those interested. 

!! Spoiler alert !! The Eufy printer in the vid is not actually available yet. The project is being crowdfunded via Kickstarter.

 

Edited May 18 by DJMar

[Tyreman]

On 5/18/2025 at 3:32 PM, peteski said:

 

Great news Tony, but you didn't include any details like the name of the printer, etc.  New? This technology (UV-cures ink jet printers) have been been around for at least couple of decades, but have been (and still are) very expensive to buy and operate. Usually out of reach for an average hobbyist.

For example, https://www.tichytraingroup.com  but the inks they use are rather thick.  Archer rivet decals were also printed using that technology. Majority of models made by https://www.micro-trains.com/  are decorated (including the weathering) using this technology.  There are many more examples.  As I understand, the original application for waterproof, durable UV-cured ink printing was in the advertising industry. Anything that needed a small run of a company logo imprinted (like a golf ball for example) was done using this type of printing.

I do not want to promote any product i have not used myself... just my thought.

[Tyreman]

On 5/18/2025 at 7:54 PM, DJMar said:

UV cured inkjet ink isn't new, as already pointed out. Personally, I have my doubts about using this tech to replicate the things in 1:24/25 scale that were mentioned in the OP, but that's a discussion for another time.

It's certainly an interesting leap forward in home printing, so the video is posted below for those interested. 

!! Spoiler alert !! The Eufy printer in the vid is not actually available yet. The project is being crowdfunded via Kickstarter.

 

Thank you...i do not know how small the textures can go? just thought worth some investigation anyone interested.