Small imperfections like blobs, zits, or seams can ruin the appearance of an otherwise perfect 3D print. Even if your printer is well-tuned, issues at the end of extrusion moves can leave unsightly marks on the surface.
Coasting and wipe settings are powerful slicer features designed to fix these problems—by controlling how extrusion ends during travel moves. In this guide, you’ll learn how to tune coasting and wiping properly to achieve cleaner prints, smoother surfaces, and invisible layer transitions.
What Are Coasting and Wipe Settings?
Coasting
Coasting stops extrusion slightly before the end of a printing move, allowing the remaining pressure in the hotend to push out just enough filament to finish the line cleanly without over-extruding.
In simple terms:
Coasting turns off extrusion early so leftover pressure naturally finishes the line without blobs.
Wipe
Wipe continues moving the nozzle along the end of the print path while retracting filament, smoothing over any small excess material to blend it into the surface.
In simple terms:
Wiping helps “iron out” any last bits of filament to leave a clean line behind.
Why Coasting and Wipe Matter
Without proper coasting and wipe tuning, you might see:
- Small blobs at layer change points
- Zits or pips along the print seam
- Oozing when transitioning between paths
- Stringing around retraction points
With well-tuned settings, your prints will have:
- Smooth walls
- Invisible seams
- Cleaner travel paths
- More professional finish quality
How Coasting and Wipe Work Together
| Feature | Purpose | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Coasting | Stops extrusion early | Reduces pressure, prevents blobs |
| Wipe | Retracts and smooths filament | Blends filament residue into the surface |
You can tune them separately or together for maximum surface perfection.
Best Practices for Coasting and Wipe Settings
1. Enable Coasting Carefully
- In Cura: Enable Coasting under Experimental Settings.
- In PrusaSlicer/SuperSlicer: Use Linear Advance or Pressure Advance as a more automatic method, but manual coasting can also be tuned.
📌 Coasting should be just enough to relieve pressure but not so much that you leave gaps at the end of perimeters.
2. Typical Coasting Settings to Start With
| Setting | Recommended Start Point |
|---|---|
| Coasting Volume | 0.05–0.15 mm³ |
| Coasting Distance | 0.2–0.5 mm |
| Coasting Speed | Match print speed |
Start small and increase slowly if you still see slight blobs.
Too much coasting = gaps between lines or under-extrusion at corners.
3. Enable Wipe on Retract
- In Cura: Wipe Nozzle option during retraction.
- In PrusaSlicer: Wipe while retracting under Retraction settings.
📌 Wipe is usually measured in millimeters of nozzle travel after retraction begins.
4. Typical Wipe Settings to Start With
| Setting | Recommended Start Point |
|---|---|
| Wipe Distance | 0.5–1.5 mm |
| Wipe Speed | Match travel or slightly faster |
Longer wipes (up to 2 mm) may be helpful on direct drive printers, while shorter wipes work better for Bowden setups.
How to Tune Coasting and Wipe: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Prepare a Test Model
Use a small test model with:
- Lots of small circles (like a z-seam cylinder)
- Thin walls or perimeter-only prints
- High surface visibility
Test models: Seam tests, calibration cubes, or vase mode prints.
Step 2: Baseline Print
Print without coasting or wipe first.
Take notes on where blobs or zits occur—especially at start/end of perimeters.
Step 3: Enable and Tweak Coasting First
- Enable coasting.
- Start with 0.05 mm³ (or 0.2 mm distance).
- Increase slowly (increments of 0.02–0.05 mm³) if blobs still form.
- Watch for:
- Blobs = Increase coasting.
- Gaps or holes = Too much coasting, reduce slightly.
Step 4: Tune Wipe Distance After Coasting
- Enable wipe while retracting.
- Start with 1.0 mm wipe distance.
- Increase wipe distance if slight bumps remain visible.
- If wiping causes smearing, reduce slightly.
Step 5: Fine Tune with Retraction Settings
- Retraction Distance: Fine-tune after coasting/wipe settings.
- Increase slightly if thin strings appear.
- Decrease slightly if nozzle pulls excessive filament back, causing under-extrusion.
Coasting and Wipe Tips Based on Printer Type
| Printer Type | Coasting | Wipe |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Drive | Lower coasting volume needed | Longer wipe distance |
| Bowden | Higher coasting volume needed | Shorter wipe distance |
Because Bowden tubes compress filament more, they often need stronger coasting and slightly less wiping compared to direct drive setups.
Common Problems and How to Solve Them
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Blobs at end of lines | Not enough coasting | Increase coasting volume |
| Gaps at ends of walls | Too much coasting | Decrease coasting volume |
| Smearing near seams | Wipe too long | Reduce wipe distance slightly |
| Fine strings between walls | Retraction settings not tuned | Adjust retraction distance and speed |
FAQs
Q1: Should I use Coasting and Linear Advance together?
Not usually. Linear Advance (Marlin) or Pressure Advance (Klipper) automatically manage extrusion pressure, reducing the need for coasting manually.
Q2: Can wiping replace coasting?
Wiping helps clean up, but without coasting, blobs will still occur. They work better together.
Q3: Does filament type affect coasting settings?
Yes.
- PETG needs more coasting than PLA.
- Flexible TPU often requires careful tuning with minimal coasting.
Q4: Is coasting bad for print strength?
Minimal impact on strength if tuned correctly.
Too much coasting can weaken the seam slightly if gaps form.
Conclusion
Mastering coasting and wipe settings can elevate your 3D prints from good to exceptional. By precisely managing how filament flow ends, you’ll eliminate blobs, zits, and seam marks—leaving your surfaces smooth and professional-looking.
Start small, test systematically, and adjust settings incrementally. With practice, perfect surface finishes are well within your reach, even on challenging prints.