5 3D PRINTED CAR PARTS AND TOOLS YOU CAN MADE IN 1 DAY
Making your own car parts used to be impossible.
But thanks to today’s 3D printers car parts from dash panels to wheel caps are totally within reach.
In this post, we’ll walk through five 3D printed car parts you can make in a single day (no engineering degree required).
You’ll also learn which materials, printers, and design tools actually work — plus how to avoid the most common mistakes that wreck 3D printed car parts.
1️⃣ CUSTOM INTERIOR PARTS (MINI DELETE PLATES)
For our BMW E30 project build, we needed custom switch mounts and gauge plates. So we found some pre-made parts, but then I decided to design my own.
If you’ve never made one before, here’s the trick:
Search online for existing delete plate models for your make.
If you can’t find them, recreate them in CAD — it’s easier than it looks. [FREE Starter Guide Here]
Adjust mounting points or openings for your own switches.
Once printed, they pop right into your dash and give your dash that OEM-plus finish look.
2️⃣ THE RIGHT MATERIAL FOR 3D PRINTED INTERIOR CAR PARTS
If you print interior parts with common PLA filament they will fail fast. PLA can warp, fade, or even melt in summer heat.
After dozens of tests, ASA filament is my go-to choice:
🌞 UV-resistant
🔥 Heat tolerant up to ~200°F
💧 Water/Chemical resistant
You’ll need a [filament dryer] and an enclosed 3d printer for best results — ASA doesn’t like moisture or to be printed with an open 3d printer.
OUR TOP BUDGET 3D PRINTER FOR CAR PARTS?
The [Centauri Carbon] — it’s enclosed, budget-friendly (~$300), and perfect for ASA once you tweak the filament profile (higher bed temp, fans off).
💡 PRO TIP: Add a small [fume extractor] for ventilation, and you’re set.
3️⃣ XL 3D PRINTED CAR PARTS: DASH CLUSTERS
When you move from small parts to big ones, like a dashboard cluster or large exterior trim, you’ll want more build volume.
That’s where the [Bambu Lab H2S] comes in — roughly 30% larger build area than the Centauri Carbon and still fully enclosed.
With 5% infill and 3 wall layers, a full-size dash cluster took around 7 hours to print.
And ASA’s water resistance means you can confidently 3d print exterior car parts like hitch covers, mirror caps, or badges that hold up in the elements too.
4️⃣ 3D PRINTED WHEEL CAPS MULTI-COLOR
We designed and printed a wheel cap cover for our E30 in Shapr3D — quick measurements, simple extrusion, done.
Prototypes printed in white PLA can be fine for testing fitment, but for finished parts, ASA plus color makes a huge difference.
THAT’S WHERE MULTI-COLOR 3D PRINTING CAR PARTS COMES IN.
If your printer supports an AMS or Automatic Material System like the [Bambu Lab H2S] or [P1S], you can print in multiple filament colors simultaneously — perfect for adding logos or accents.
No AMS? Change to a different color other than black.
5️⃣ TOOLS & SHOP UPGRADES YOU CAN 3D PRINT
Not every print has to go on the car. Some of the most useful 3D prints are tools that make your build easier.
🧰 Wheel Fitment Tool
For these parts I used lower cost PETG (oil-resistant and durable) filament as they won’t be exposed to the hot sun.
The wheel fitment tool mounts directly to your wheel hub to test offsets, clearance, and tire sizing before buying new wheels.
🔧 Gridfinity Tool Organizer
This free modular system lets you rearrange socket and tool holders inside your tool cart.
I even designed a custom air tool hanger that locks onto the side handle and holds up to three air tools.
All designed in Shapr3D, taking under 2 hours and using just 10% of one filament roll.
🎓 READY TO DESIGN YOUR FIRST CUSTOM CAR PART?
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