# Tough Resin Post-Cure: UV Lamp vs Sunlight

**URL:** <https://forum.formlabs.com/t/tough-resin-post-cure-uv-lamp-vs-sunlight/6375>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Created:** [September 21, 2015, 7:29pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/tough-resin-post-cure-uv-lamp-vs-sunlight/6375 "2015-09-21T19:29:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mark\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Mark\_Smith](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/Mark_Smith)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 7:29pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/tough-resin-post-cure-uv-lamp-vs-sunlight/6375/1 "2015-09-21T19:29:40Z")

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Hello. Formlabs recommends about two hours of post-curing under a 30 watt lamp for Tough resin parts. I’m wondering if letting the part sit in the sunlight is just as good, or if there’s any reason why a lamp would be better. Thanks for your input.  
Mark

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**Author:** ![CraigBroady](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/craigbroady/32/6106_2.png) [@CraigBroady](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/CraigBroady)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 9:26pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/tough-resin-post-cure-uv-lamp-vs-sunlight/6375/2 "2015-09-21T21:26:54Z")

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There’s not always sun in Boston 😄

Using the sun is an effective way to post-cure parts––it has a broader light spectrum than a lamp. With the sun, though, it will be more difficult to know exactly how much power you’re getting. Personally, I prefer using sunlight over a lamp when possible.

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**Author:** ![Mark\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Mark\_Smith](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/Mark_Smith)\
**Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 2:56pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/tough-resin-post-cure-uv-lamp-vs-sunlight/6375/3 "2015-09-23T14:56:12Z")

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Thank you. Down here in the Houston area we get too much sun. It’s nice when you can find a good use for it…

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**Author:** ![Iain\_Mackenzie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/919ad9/32.png) [@Iain\_Mackenzie](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/Iain_Mackenzie)\
**Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 3:43pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/tough-resin-post-cure-uv-lamp-vs-sunlight/6375/4 "2015-09-23T15:43:02Z")

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before our university course bought a UV lamp, I’d print my models first thing in the morning and stick them on a sunny windowsill and leave it for the rest of the day. That usually did the job, but some hidden area’s were always left a bit grungy. Being in UK meant it was hit and miss for the sunshine!

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/formlabs/original/3X/5/b/5bc2bdf993ff27c2e0eecab5010b25626fbb327a.png) [@system](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 3:43pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/tough-resin-post-cure-uv-lamp-vs-sunlight/6375/5 "2015-10-07T15:43:09Z")

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