The Short Answer
Print skateboard riser pads in PETG. PLA is acceptable for test fits at home, but for any riser that will see real riding — especially outdoors or in a board bag in a hot car — PETG is the right material.
Why PLA Falls Short for Outdoor Hardware
PLA (Polylactic Acid) is easy to print, widely available, and produces clean surfaces. But it has a glass transition temperature of around 60°C (140°F). That sounds high until you consider that a board left on black pavement in summer sun can reach surface temperatures well above that.
A PLA riser left in a hot car or in direct summer sun can soften enough to deform under the bolt tension alone. The result: compressed, uneven risers, loose bolt holes, and trucks that move position over time.
Why PETG Is the Right Choice
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) addresses every weakness PLA has for outdoor skateboard hardware:
- Heat resistance: Glass transition ~80°C — survives direct sun and hot cars
- Impact toughness: PETG is significantly tougher than PLA under shock loads (like a board impact)
- Layer adhesion: Strong interlayer bonding means bolt holes hold well without cracking
- Low moisture absorption: Doesn't weaken as quickly in rain or humidity
- Slight flex: PETG has a small amount of give that helps it absorb vibration without cracking
Print Settings for Riser Pads
| Setting | PETG (recommended) | PLA (test only) |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temp | 230–245°C | 195–215°C |
| Bed temp | 75–85°C | 55–65°C |
| Infill | 100% | 100% |
| Perimeters / walls | 4+ | 3–4 |
| Layer height | 0.15–0.2mm | 0.15–0.2mm |
| Cooling fan | Off or 30% | 100% |
| Supports | None needed | None needed |
What About ABS, ASA, or TPU?
ABS: Higher heat resistance than PETG (~100°C), but difficult to print without an enclosure (warps badly), fumes during printing, and the dimensional accuracy can be inconsistent for tight bolt holes. Not recommended unless you have a proper enclosure and experience with ABS.
ASA: Better UV and weather resistance than ABS with similar heat tolerance, but same printing challenges. Best for outdoor use where fading matters (colored risers in direct sun). Worth considering for long-term builds.
TPU / Flexible: Some skaters print risers in flexible filament for vibration dampening, similar to riser cushions. These compress under load, which can cause inconsistent truck response. Not recommended for precise wedge risers — use for vibration-dampening flat risers only.
Bolt Holes — The Critical Detail
The bolt holes in a riser pad take all the clamping load from the hardware. When printing, size holes slightly undersized (–0.2mm to –0.4mm on radius) and use the actual bolt to self-tap through on first installation. This gives much better retention than a loose-fit printed hole.
Alternatively, drill the printed hole out to 4.0mm (for 10-32 hardware) after printing. Drilling PETG produces a clean hole with good edge quality.
FAQ
What filament should I use for 3D printed skateboard risers?
PETG is the recommended choice for outdoor skateboard riser pads. It has higher heat resistance than PLA, better impact toughness, and good layer adhesion at 100% infill. PLA is fine for test fits and indoor use only.
What infill percentage for a riser pad?
100% infill. Lower infill leaves hollow voids that compress under load, causing inconsistent feel and potential failure. Solid infill also gives the best bolt hole thread retention.
Can a 3D printed riser handle real skating?
Yes. A PETG riser printed at 100% infill, 4+ perimeters, and 0.2mm layer height is comparable in compressive strength to injection-molded plastic risers. The bolt holes are the weak point — size them slightly undersized and thread through with the bolt on first install.