When I first bought my car, it was missing a few roof rack plugs. Back then, I printed them quickly in PLA, but as soon as they were exposed to direct sunlight, they warped and deformed instantly.

Now, with my new 3D printer, I’m experimenting with ASA filament – a material that’s much more resistant to UV rays, heat and weather conditions. To test it properly, I printed a new set of roof rack plugs. These thin parts sit directly in the sun every single day, which makes them a perfect durability test.

After three weeks on the car – no warping, no cracks, no fading. ASA looks flawless!
This gives me a lot of confidence for future custom 3D printed automotive accessories that need to survive tough outdoor conditions.