Resin 3D Printing Made Clean & Easy: Buyers’ Guide to Washing & Curing Machines

The Elegoo Mercury Plus V3.0 is a combined washing and curing unit intended to simplify post-processing for resin 3D prints. The system offers a larger wash volume than earlier versions, allowing it to handle bigger models or multiple smaller pieces at once. It supports both basket cleaning and build-plate–mounted cleaning, and the updated agitation system circulates cleaning fluid more evenly to help remove uncured resin from detailed parts.

For curing, the machine uses a rotating platform and an array of 405 nm LEDs to provide consistent exposure from all directions. Controls are straightforward, with preset time options for both stages, and the UV-blocking cover includes a shutoff mechanism that stops curing when lifted. While not drastically different in operation from previous Mercury models, the V3.0 focuses on incremental improvements in capacity, stability and ease of use aimed at users who want a single device to handle the full post-processing workflow.

The Creality UW-03 Washing & Curing Machine offers a budget-conscious, entry-level wash-and-cure solution that handles most small- to mid-sized resin prints. Its wash compartment supports typical desktop printer bed sizes, and its integrated curing unit offers 360-degree UV exposure via a rotating turntable, which is sufficient for standard post-processing needs. Control is simple, with manual or timed wash/curing cycles that make it straightforward for beginners or occasional resin printers. While its capacity and features are modest compared with larger machines, it provides a functional and space-efficient option for hobbyists and small workshop setups.

The Elegoo Mercury X Bundle consists of separate wash and cure units, providing a straightforward post-processing setup well-suited for small to mid-size resin printers.

The wash station can clean models directly on the build plate, while the curing chamber uses multi-directional UV LEDs and a rotating platform to ensure even exposure. Because the units operate independently, users can wash one print while curing another, which improves workflow efficiency compared to 2-in-1 systems. The overall capacity is appropriate for most hobbyist-scale prints, though it may be limiting for large-format machines.

Phrozen’s Mega S Washing Station paired with the company’s Mega S Curing Station offers a more robust setup for medium to large resin prints.

The Phrozen Wash Mega S is a large-format washing station built for handling oversized resin prints or multiple parts at once. It uses a 25-liter container and a double-vortex wash system that alternates rotation to improve cleaning efficiency, aided by adjustable speeds for different print types. The washing chamber measures about 33 × 19 × 30 cm and supports a wide range of large build plates.

The unit includes a side drainage valve for easier solvent disposal and has an overall footprint of roughly 41 × 26 × 62 cm, keeping it manageable for its size. Weighing around 8 kg, it is designed for users who need reliable, high-capacity cleaning for large-format resin printers.

The Cure Mega S provides uniform, high-intensity UV exposure across a larger chamber than typical consumer curing boxes, allowing consistent post-curing of bigger components. This combination is suitable for users producing frequent or larger-scale prints but does require adequate workspace due to the size of both units.

Phrozen Wash & Cure Kit

For smaller prints and a tighter budget, Phrozen also offers the very capable Wash & Cure Kit.

This combined washing and curing station designed to streamline post-processing of resin 3D prints. It features a large 8 L washing bucket that can accommodate 10-inch build plates — ideal for larger prints — where a bottom propeller generates a powerful vortex to gently but thoroughly clean away excess resin without damaging fine detail.

Once the wash is done, models can be moved directly into the curing unit, which uses 405 nm UV light (from both beneath and around the object) plus a dual-fan drying system to dry and fully cure prints in a single workflow.

This all-in-one approach to post-printing — wash, dry, cure — significantly reduces the time, mess, and manual effort compared with traditional resin cleanup (buckets of alcohol + UV lamps), and helps ensure prints emerge clean, solid, and uniformly cured.

The Sunlu Ultrasonic Cleaner and RC-2 Curing Box form a compact post-processing setup aimed at users working with small or highly detailed prints. Ultrasonic cleaning can reach recessed features more effectively than manual agitation, making it useful for miniatures, jewelry, and other fine parts. The RC-2 curing box provides 360-degree UV illumination with a rotating platform to improve curing uniformity. While this combination offers precise cleaning and reliable curing for smaller prints, its limited capacity makes it less suitable for larger models.

The Formlabs Form Wash L V2 and the new Form Cure L V2 are large-format post-processing systems designed to deliver consistently high-quality results for users working with Formlabs’ bigger resin printers. Together, they streamline the often time-consuming steps of washing and curing by automating each stage with precision and repeatability. The Form Wash L V2 provides a powerful, hands-off cleaning process that uses an agitated solvent bath to remove uncured resin from even the most complex prints. Its spacious chamber accommodates large parts or multiple smaller models in a single cycle, while features like automated lift-out and timed wash programs ensure that parts are cleaned thoroughly without risk of overwashing or warping.

The Form Cure L V2 complements the washing process with an equally advanced curing system. It uses a combination of high-intensity LEDs, controlled heat, and rotating turntable motion to cure parts uniformly, strengthening the material and improving dimensional accuracy. Its chamber is engineered to handle the largest prints the Formlabs ecosystem can produce, offering optimal UV exposure and temperature control for demanding engineering resins. Together, the Form Wash L V2 and Form Cure L V2 create a reliable, professional-grade workflow that reduces manual labor, improves consistency, and ensures every printed part reaches its full performance potential.

Formlabs’ More Compact Option

If this is more room that you need, the Formlabs Form Wash V2 and Form Cure V2 (120 V) are compact, efficient solutions for post-processing resin prints. The Form Wash V2 automatically cleans parts in an agitated solvent bath, removing uncured resin without manual scrubbing. Following washing, the Form Cure V2 provides uniform UV light exposure and controlled heat to properly cure parts, enhancing strength and dimensional stability. Together they offer a streamlined, reliable workflow for small to medium-size resin prints.