•This Instructable will show you how to 3d print and paint some really cool Batarangs. This instructable will mainly be a tutorial on how to use 3d printers, how to make a 3d print smooth, and how to paint it, but check out this instructable and this instructable on fusion 360 tutorials.

•Materials & Tools:

Cura (or another gcode program)
A 3d printer with a build plate of at least 5 X 3 X 1
PLA 3d printer filament (the color doesn’t matter because you're going to be painting it, but I used white)
A heat gun (or a few pieces of sandpaper)
Metallic, steel-color spray paint that is safe for use on plastic

Step 1: Prepare the Files

•Required materials:

Cura (or another gcode program)

Computer

link to cura
This step will be about how to prepare the files you will use. If you already know how to do this, you can skip to the next step.
First, be sure you have a gcode program. Then, download the file containing the STL model. Then open your gcode program and open the file containing the batarang. If you don’t have a printer that has a large enough build plate, you can scale the file to meet your needs (Oh, and in cura, it registers everything in millimeters. This means that if a file that you use a file with a length of ten inches, it will turn into ten millimeters). Then position the file so that it is flat on the bottom. Then save the Gcode onto an sd card.

Batarang.stl
Download View in 3D

Step 2: Using the Printer

•Required materials:

3d printer

PLA Printer filament

•This step will be about preparing the 3d printer for use. If you already know how to do this, you can skip to the next step.

•For this Instructable, I will be using a lulzbot taz 6, however you can use whatever you want. First, set the temperature to 210 – 235 and let it heat up for about five to ten minutes. Then put the sd card into the slot and wait for it to refresh. Then use the dial to select your file, and start the print.

Step 3: Smoothing the Print

•Required materials:

Your finished print

Heat gun, hair dryer or Sand Paper

•Now that your Batarang is finished, you may notice there are lines all over it. This kind of takes away from the overall look of the Batarang, making it look less real. The simplest way to fix this is with a heat gun. Simply use it like a hairdryer to make the plastic slightly pliable but NOT melted. Then take something like a knife and smooth the plastic over. Be careful, though, it may become misshapen if you do it too much. The other way to do this is by simply sanding it down to your liking, but I prefer the heat gun.

Step 4: Paint It

•Required materials:

Your smoothed, finished print

Metallic spray paint for plastic

•Put your smoothed print on a surface that you don’t mind getting paint on, like some old newspapers or cement. Paint it evenly on one side and let it dry for about 30 minutes. Flip it over and do this again. Keep doing this until you have a nice even coat of paint on both sides, showing no bare plastic. after this, let it dry in a dry area for 2-3 hours. And you're done! you are now the proud owner of a plastic Batarang that you read about on the internet! This instructable is listed in the fandom contest 2019, and leaving a vote would really help. Thanks!

Step 5: That's It!

And you're done! you are now the proud owner of a plastic Batarang that you read about on the internet! This Instructable is listed in the fandom contest 2019, and leaving a vote would really help. Thanks!