ELEGOO Mercury Plus 2.0 Wash and Cure Station Review: From Sticky Mess to Flawless Finish

If you’ve ever plunged into the world of resin 3D printing, you know the magical moment a print finishes. A stunningly detailed miniature, a precise engineering prototype, or a piece of custom jewelry emerges from the vat of liquid resin. But that magic is immediately followed by a messy, sticky, and often frustrating reality: post-processing. For years, my own process involved a precarious series of pickle jars filled with isopropyl alcohol (IPA), a repurposed toothbrush, and a constant battle against sticky residue and noxious fumes. I’d shake, I’d scrub, and I’d still end up with tacky spots on my models. Curing was an equally haphazard affair, rotating the print by hand under a cheap UV nail lamp or leaving it on a windowsill, praying for a sunny day and even exposure. This wasn’t just inefficient; it was messy, unsafe, and yielded inconsistent results. This tedious cleanup is the single biggest barrier for many hobbyists, turning a creative passion into a dreaded chore. An all-in-one solution isn’t just a luxury; it’s the key to unlocking the full, consistent potential of resin printing while saving time and sanity.

What to Consider Before Buying a Wash and Cure Station

A wash and cure station is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for transforming the resin 3D printing workflow from a chaotic, manual process into a streamlined, automated, and professional one. The main benefit is consistency. By automating the washing and curing cycles, these machines eliminate the variables of manual cleaning and haphazard UV exposure, resulting in perfectly clean, non-tacky, and durable final prints every single time. They also dramatically improve safety by containing volatile solvents like IPA in sealed containers, reducing fume exposure and fire risk. The convenience factor cannot be overstated; what once took 30-40 minutes of active, messy work can be accomplished with a few button presses, freeing you up to prepare your next print. For anyone serious about the quality and efficiency of their resin printing, a dedicated station is a fundamental upgrade.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who has moved beyond their first few experimental prints and is looking to produce consistent, high-quality results efficiently. This includes miniature painters, product prototypers, jewelers, and dedicated hobbyists who print regularly. If you find yourself dreading the cleanup process or are frustrated by inconsistent print quality due to poor post-processing, a station like the ELEGOO Mercury Plus 2.0 Wash and Cure Station is built for you. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who print very infrequently (once every few months) or are on an extremely tight budget where a DIY solution is the only option. For those individuals, starting with a simple UV lamp and sealed containers is a viable, though less effective, alternative. However, the time, mess, and inconsistent results of a DIY setup often lead users to upgrade sooner rather than later.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Your wash and cure station must be compatible with your 3D printer’s build volume. Check the maximum model size the station’s washing container and curing turntable can accommodate. Ensure it fits the build plate from your specific printer if you plan to use the direct-mount washing feature.
• Capacity/Performance: Look at the washing container’s volume—a larger volume means you can use more cleaning solution and clean larger parts, but it also means a higher initial cost for IPA or other solvents. For curing, evaluate the number of UV LEDs and their wavelength (405nm is the standard for most resins). A 360-degree rotating turntable is non-negotiable for ensuring uniform exposure from all angles.
• Materials & Durability: The washing bucket should be made from a material resistant to aggressive solvents like isopropyl alcohol. Look for a sturdy base unit and a well-sealed lid for the washing container to prevent solvent evaporation and contain fumes. The anti-UV cover should be robust and effectively block UV light for safety.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A simple, intuitive interface is key. A single knob or a few buttons with a clear display is ideal. Consider how easy it is to switch between washing and curing modes and how simple it is to clean the washing container itself after the IPA becomes saturated with resin. The long-term care for a machine like this is minimal but critical.

While the ELEGOO Mercury Plus 2.0 Wash and Cure Station is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Thoughtful Design Meets Streamlined Functionality

Unboxing the ELEGOO Mercury Plus 2.0 Wash and Cure Station, the first thing we noticed was its thoughtful and compact design. ELEGOO has clearly put effort into creating a device that feels like a cohesive part of their ecosystem, matching the aesthetic of their popular Mars series printers. Assembly was practically non-existent; it’s ready to go almost straight out of the box. The base is solid and stable, inspiring confidence that it won’t be vibrating across the workbench. The star of the show is the modularity: the washing container and the curing turntable swap out effortlessly on the central magnetic base. The sealed washing bucket, complete with a rubber gasket and secure clamps, was an immediate highlight, promising to put an end to the rapid evaporation of expensive IPA. The yellow anti-UV lid fits securely over both the washing and curing setups, and includes a safety feature that instantly cuts power to the UV lights if the lid is removed mid-cycle—a crucial touch. The single control knob and front TFT screen are minimalist and intuitive, making the operation immediately understandable without even glancing at the manual. It’s a significant leap from any DIY solution and feels purpose-built for the task, which is exactly what you want. You can see its full feature set and user reviews for more details.

Performance Deep Dive: How the Mercury Plus 2.0 Transforms Resin Printing

A wash and cure station lives or dies by its performance. It’s not enough to just look the part; it has to fundamentally improve the process and the final product. We put the ELEGOO Mercury Plus 2.0 Wash and Cure Station through its paces with a variety of prints, from large figures that pushed its size limits to intricate miniatures with delicate, hard-to-reach details. Our testing confirmed that this machine isn’t just a convenience—it’s a transformative tool for any resin printing enthusiast.

The Washing Process: A Game-Changer for Workflow and Cleanliness

The washing cycle is, for many, the most dreaded part of resin printing. The ELEGOO Mercury Plus 2.0 Wash and Cure Station tackles this head-on with a brilliantly effective system. The large, sealed plastic tub holds a generous amount of cleaning solution. At the bottom, a magnetic impeller spins at high speed, creating a powerful vortex that agitates the liquid and flushes uncured resin from every crevice of your print. As one user noted, being able to simply dunk the entire build plate into the tub is a “game changer,” as it completely eliminates the need to handle the uncured, sticky print directly. This dramatically reduces mess and exposure to resin.

We tested both washing methods provided. First, the wire basket is perfect for smaller parts that have already been removed from the build plate. We simply dropped them in, set the timer for five minutes, and watched the vortex do its work. The results were excellent, leaving behind no noticeable residue. The second method, using the adjustable mounting bracket for the build plate, is even better for workflow. We took the plate directly from our ELEGOO Mars printer, mounted it, and submerged it. This cleaned the print and the build plate simultaneously. We found this worked perfectly with 70-90% isopropyl alcohol, confirming user reports that it leaves prints completely non-sticky. The sealed, clamped lid is perhaps the most underrated feature. Not only does it contain almost all the IPA fumes, but it also prevents the expensive alcohol from evaporating away between uses, saving a significant amount of money over time. It’s a simple, elegant solution to one of resin printing’s most persistent problems.

The Curing Cycle: Achieving Uniformity and Strength

Once a print is washed and dried, proper curing is essential to achieve its final material properties, strength, and a tack-free surface. The curing implementation on the ELEGOO Mercury Plus 2.0 Wash and Cure Station is superb. After removing the washing tub, you place the magnetic turntable onto the base, set your print on top, and cover it with the anti-UV lid. The station is equipped with a vertical column containing 16 powerful 405nm UV LEDs. This wavelength is perfectly matched to the photoinitiators found in the vast majority of commercially available 3D printing resins.

The magic is in the motion. The 360-degree rotating turntable ensures that every single surface of the model receives an equal amount of UV exposure. This eliminates the persistent issue with stationary curing lamps where one side of the print becomes over-cured and brittle while the other side remains soft and tacky. During our tests, we cured a detailed bust with deep undercuts. After a standard 6-minute cycle, the surface was perfectly hard and smooth everywhere, with no tackiness even in the deepest recesses. The light diffusion is excellent, providing an even bath of UV light rather than harsh, direct beams. One user praised the “great light diffusion and rotation,” and we wholeheartedly agree. This consistent, controlled curing process results in stronger, more durable prints with a professionally finished quality that is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve with DIY methods. The powerful curing array is a feature that really sets it apart.

Design, Usability, and Safety Considerations

Beyond raw performance, the day-to-day usability of a tool is what makes it a joy or a frustration to use. ELEGOO has nailed the user experience for the most part. The machine’s footprint is surprisingly compact, and as one user happily pointed out, “Everything fits inside when you are not using it.” The tub, basket, and turntable can all be stored neatly, making it ideal for smaller workspaces. Operation is dead simple: a long press on the knob turns it on, rotating the knob sets the time (up to 30 minutes), and a short press starts the cycle. The TFT screen clearly displays the set time and counts down the remaining time.

However, it’s not without its quirks. We can confirm a common user complaint: the inability to restart or add time to a cycle without powering the machine off and on again. If you start a 5-minute cure and realize you needed 6, you can’t just add a minute. You have to turn it off, turn it back on, re-select the mode, and set a new timer. It’s a minor annoyance in an otherwise seamless experience. Some users also noted the control knob feels a bit “cheap,” and while it’s perfectly functional, we agree it lacks the premium tactile feel of the rest of the unit. On the safety front, however, ELEGOO made no compromises. The anti-UV lid is specified to block 99.95% of ultraviolet rays, protecting your eyes. More importantly, the built-in safety switch that kills the UV lights the moment the lid is lifted is a critical feature that provides essential peace of mind.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the user sentiment for the ELEGOO Mercury Plus 2.0 Wash and Cure Station is overwhelmingly positive. Many, like us, consider it an essential purchase that fundamentally improves the resin printing hobby. One user perfectly summarized the value proposition, recounting their old office setup of a toothbrush and a nail-salon UV lamp, stating they were “holy cow… grateful” they invested in this all-in-one unit for their personal setup. This sentiment is common, with many expressing that they were hesitant about the price at first but found it “completely worth the risk” and “money well spent” after experiencing the convenience.

The effectiveness of the cleaning is a frequent point of praise. A reviewer mentioned they’ve noticed “less residue on prints since using this machine,” attributing it to the powerful, consistent agitation compared to their previous manual shaking method. However, the feedback isn’t without its critiques, which align with our findings. The most cited usability issue is the need to power cycle the machine to reset the timer. As one user detailed, “This is particularly annoying if I simply need to reposition the part.” Another area for caution is compatibility; a user with a newer Mars 4 printer found its build plate was not officially supported, highlighting the importance for prospective buyers to double-check the latest compatibility list before purchasing, especially if they own a non-ELEGOO or very recent printer model.

How Does the ELEGOO Mercury Plus 2.0 Wash and Cure Station Compare to the Alternatives?

While the ELEGOO Mercury Plus 2.0 Wash and Cure Station is a post-processing accessory, it’s part of the larger 3D printing ecosystem. For those building out their setup, it’s useful to see what other types of advanced 3D printing technology are available, especially in the form of integrated, high-performance printers that offer different capabilities than a standard resin workflow.

1. ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo Multicolor 3D Printer with ACE PRO

The ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo represents a completely different approach to 3D printing. This is a high-speed FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printer that extrudes filament rather than curing liquid resin. Its standout feature is the ACE PRO system, which enables multi-color printing with up to four different filaments simultaneously. Someone might prefer this alternative if their primary goal is creating colorful, functional parts without the mess and post-processing of resin. It’s ideal for those who want to avoid solvents and UV light entirely and prioritize multi-material capabilities and high-speed FDM printing over the ultra-fine detail offered by resin systems.

2. Creality K2 Plus Combo 3D Printer Multicolor

Similar to the Kobra S1, the Creality K2 Plus Combo is an advanced FDM printer focused on multi-color printing. However, it targets a more prosumer market with a significantly larger build volume (350x350x350mm) and features like dual cameras for monitoring. A user would opt for the K2 Plus if they need to produce very large, complex, multi-color FDM prints. This is less a competitor to a wash and cure station and more of a different path in the 3D printing journey—one focused on large-scale FDM production rather than high-detail resin post-processing. It’s for the serious maker or small business that needs capacity and advanced FDM features.

3. Comgrow K1C 3D Printer

The Creality K1C is built for one thing above all else: speed. As a high-speed FDM printer, it can achieve print speeds of up to 600mm/s. Its key differentiator is the ability to handle high-temperature, engineering-grade materials like carbon fiber filaments right out of the box, thanks to its 300℃ hotend and hardened steel nozzle. A user would choose the K1C if their priority is producing strong, durable, and temperature-resistant functional parts as quickly as possible. This is the choice for an engineer, prototyper, or hobbyist who values performance and material properties over the fine aesthetic detail that resin printing and the ELEGOO Mercury Plus 2.0 Wash and Cure Station are designed to perfect.

Final Verdict: An Essential Upgrade for Serious Resin Printers

After extensive testing, our conclusion is clear: the ELEGOO Mercury Plus 2.0 Wash and Cure Station is not just a quality-of-life improvement; it’s a fundamental upgrade that elevates the entire resin 3D printing experience. It takes the messiest, most inconsistent, and frustrating part of the process and transforms it into a simple, clean, and reliable automated workflow. The excellent washing performance, uniform 360-degree curing, and thoughtful safety features make it an invaluable tool. While minor usability quirks like the timer reset process exist, they are trivial compared to the immense value it provides in time saved, mess avoided, and the superior quality of the final prints.

If you are serious about resin 3D printing and want to achieve consistent, professional-grade results without the headache of manual post-processing, we wholeheartedly recommend this machine. It bridges the gap between a finished print and a finished product, making it an essential component of any modern resin printing setup. For the price, the leap in quality, safety, and convenience is simply unmatched. To revolutionize your resin printing workflow, we highly recommend you check the latest price and availability for the ELEGOO Mercury Plus 2.0 today.