BEST 3D PRINTER FOR CAR PARTS
With so many entry level 3D printers to choose from, lets review what you need to consider before buying your next 3D printer for making custom car parts…
🏆 Best 3D Printers for Automotive Parts (2026 Update)
| Rank | Printer | Quick Specs | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Elegoo Centauri Carbon | Enclosed · Hardened Steel Hotend | See Details → |
| 🥈 | Bambu Lab P1S | Enclosed · AMS compatible | View Specs → |
| 🥉 | Creality K1C | Enclosure · Hardened Steel Hotend | Check Price → |
SO IS IT POSSIBLE TO 3D PRINT CAR PARTS?
For DIYer’s looking to 3D print at home, 3D printed car parts are 100% possible to print; from interior dashboard accessories, custom gauges, and even trim pieces.
Other car parts like fuse covers, plastic clips, or other plastic replacement engine bay parts are perfect for 3d printing as well.
You can even 3d print engine bay parts as long as they don’t get too close to excessive heat.
HOWEVER, BEFORE YOU BUY A 3D PRINTER, FILAMENT IS HIGHLY IMPORTANT…
Testing PLA vs ABS vs PETG 3D Printed Car Parts In Sun
WHAT IS THE BEST MATERIAL FOR 3D PRINTING CAR PARTS?
BE AWARE… Commonly used PLA filament will NOT work for 3D printed car parts. You’re going to need filament that’s won’t melt on a hot summer day inside your car.
PLA MAY BE A POPULAR CHOICE, BUT IT’S SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEAT...
On a 50 degree Fahrenheit day during our tests, PLA started to sag inside a sunny and warm car.
BMW E30 3d Printed PLA Custom Vent Gauge Sagging
Instead of PLA, you’ll want to try 3D printing car parts with filaments like ABS.
ABS can withstand heat up to 80-87c or 176-188 degrees Fahrenheit.
PETG can only withstand up to 65-69c or 149-156 degrees Fahrenheit.
ASA/PC can withstand heat above 100c or 212 degrees Farhenheit.
💡PRO TIP: If you need additional heat resistance check out ASA, PC, or carbon fiber reinforced nylon filaments. Be careful to check for water absorption rates too. Bambu Lab has a super nice comparison…
Bambu Lab Filament Properties
Having the right setup is half the battle. The other… finding pre-made car part models you can 3d print. After spending months trying to navigate the complexity of CAD, I finally found a process that worked.
So when you’re ready to start designing your very own car parts you can print, check out this workshop I put together here.
It has everything you need to turn your ideas into fully functional car parts.
WHAT IS THE BEST 3D PRINTER FOR CAR PARTS?
Note that ABS and other types of higher heat resistant filaments require a printer that can handle higher heat settings.
🎥 Here’s 5 different car parts we 3d printed for our BMW e30 build for less than a few bucks…
Another challenge can be warping of your 3d printed part during the 3d printing process.
WHEN LOOKING FOR A 3D PRINTER, GET ONE WITH AN ENCLOSURE…
The enclosure will help maintain heat within the confines of the object being printed which reduces warping.
BE CAREFUL, some filaments are extremely toxic, so an enclosure can also help redirect and filter toxic fumes too.
Two of the best printers you can buy for 3d printing car parts at home are the Bambu Lab P1S vs Creality K1C. Both come with an enclosure and both can be purchased for less than $800.
Here’s some key differences between the Bambu Lab P1 and the Creality K1C:
The new contender to the list of best 3d printers for car parts is the Elegoo Centauri Carbon. It comes out of the box ready to 3d print carbon or glass infused filaments and starts at $300.
Are you having a hard time finding the car part you want to print… Then we have just the thing for you ⤵️
STOP SEARCHING AND START BUILDING
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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO 3D PRINT A CAR PART?
The Bambu Lab, Creality K1 Max, Centauri Carbon are fast when it comes to print speed.
These printers can print at speeds of 500 mm/s with the supported filament.
3d printers a few years ago at topped out around 100 mm/s meaning both the Bambu and Creality can print items 5x the speed.
Print time will also depend on how large your part is, but expect anywhere from 30 minutes to 10 hours. Make sure your filament can handle higher speeds too.
If you’re looking to 3D print larger car parts then check out the new Bambu Lab H2S Creality K1 Max, or K2 Plus
Bambu Lab H2S print bed size: 340x320x340 mm
K1 Max print bed size: 300x300x300 mm
K2 Plus print bed size: 350x350x350 mm
LEARN MORE…
