The single biggest factor in whether a 3D-printed interior part lasts is the material it’s printed in. A part that looks perfect on the bench can warp into a taco on a summer dashboard if it’s the wrong filament.
PLA — avoid for interiors
PLA prints beautifully and is cheap, but it softens at temperatures a parked car easily reaches. It’s fine for prototypes, not for parts that live in the sun.
PETG — a solid middle ground
PETG handles heat far better than PLA and is tough, making it a reasonable choice for many interior parts that don’t sit in direct sunlight all day.
ASA — the interior workhorse
ASA is specifically UV-stable and heat-resistant, which is why it’s our default for dashboard and cabin parts. It resists the exact conditions — sun and heat — that destroyed the original. That durability is why we spec it for parts like the SC300 vents.