Quick verdict: The Elegoo Mercury XS is the most practical wash and cure station for miniature printers. The two-in-one design handles both the IPA wash and the UV cure cycle in one unit, the magnetic stirrer moves wash solution evenly around the model, and the rotating UV platform ensures even curing on all sides. If you have a resin printer, this is the dedicated tool that makes post-processing faster, cleaner, and safer than doing it by hand.
What is a Wash and Cure Station?
Resin 3D printing involves two mandatory post-processing steps that most beginners underestimate when they buy their first printer:
- Washing — freshly printed resin models are covered in uncured liquid resin. You need to wash this off using isopropyl alcohol (IPA) before the model is safe to handle and paint. Skip this step and the surface will stay tacky, take paint poorly, and remain a skin irritant.
- Curing — after washing, the model needs to be exposed to UV light to fully harden. Straight off the printer, resin models are still partially soft. A proper cure cycle hardens the entire model, improves layer bond strength, and makes the surface ready for priming and painting.
You can do both steps with basic equipment — a jar of IPA and sunlight or a basic UV lamp. But a dedicated wash and cure station like the Elegoo Mercury XS makes both steps faster, more consistent, and safer. The sealed washing chamber means no open containers of IPA on your desk, the magnetic stirrer gets into recesses that hand-swirling misses, and the rotating cure platform ensures even UV exposure on all sides of the model.
Elegoo Mercury XS Review: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Two-in-one: wash and cure in a single unit saves desk space
- Magnetic stirrer agitates IPA during wash for thorough cleaning of recesses
- Rotating UV turntable ensures even curing on all sides of the model
- Sealed wash chamber reduces IPA vapour exposure compared to open containers
- Timer controls for both wash and cure cycles
- Fits models from the Elegoo Mars and Saturn series and most comparable printers
- Straightforward to use — no complex setup
Cons
- The XS size is not suitable for very large models or full build-plate prints from bigger printers like the Saturn 4 Ultra
- IPA must be purchased separately — the unit does not include wash solution
- Wash solution becomes saturated over time and needs replacing
- Cure chamber lid is not UV-blocking — avoid looking directly at the UV LEDs during curing
How to Use the Elegoo Mercury XS
Wash cycle
- Fill the wash basket with 99% IPA to the fill line (approximately 1.5 litres)
- Remove your print from the build plate — still on the support structure
- Place the print in the wash basket and lower it into the IPA
- Set the timer — 3–5 minutes for standard miniatures; longer for large terrain pieces
- The magnetic stirrer agitates the IPA around the model. Remove when done and allow to air-dry for 5–10 minutes until the IPA smell dissipates
Cure cycle
- Once the model is dry, remove the wash container and place the model on the rotating cure platform
- Set the cure timer — 2–4 minutes is typical for standard miniatures; longer for thick or large pieces
- The platform rotates while the UV LEDs cure the resin from all angles
- Model is fully hardened and ready for support removal, priming, and painting
IPA note: Use 99% IPA, not 70% or 91%. The higher concentration cleans resin residue more effectively and evaporates faster, leaving less moisture on the model. 70% IPA contains too much water and works poorly for resin washing.
Elegoo Mercury XS vs DIY Wash and Cure Setup
| Elegoo Mercury XS | DIY (jar + UV lamp) | |
|---|---|---|
| Wash quality | Consistent — magnetic agitation reaches recesses | Variable — depends on manual swirling |
| Cure consistency | Even — rotating platform + multi-angle UV | Uneven — one side may undercure without rotating |
| Safety | Sealed chamber, less IPA exposure | Open container, more fume exposure |
| Desk space | One unit | Separate jar + UV station |
| Cost | Higher upfront | Lower upfront, more hassle |
If you are printing miniatures more than a couple of times per month, the Mercury XS pays for itself in time saved and in the consistency of results. Under-washed and under-cured models take paint poorly and have weak layer bonds. Getting post-processing right is as important as getting the print settings right.
What Printer Does It Pair With?
The Mercury XS is sized for the smaller to mid-range MSLA printers. It pairs well with:
- Elegoo Saturn 2 — the most popular mid-range miniature printer; Mercury XS handles the full build volume without issues
- Elegoo Mars series — the smaller build volume of the Mars printers fits comfortably
- Anycubic Photon Mono series — compatible, same size class
- Phrozen Sonic Mini range — compatible
For very large format printers (Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra, Saturn 3 Ultra, Anycubic M3 Max), check whether your typical build volume exceeds the XS wash basket size before purchasing. For those printers, a larger wash station may be needed.
For printer recommendations see our guide to the best resin 3D printers for miniatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a wash and cure station for resin printing?
You need to wash and cure — the question is whether you use a dedicated station or DIY it. Washing removes uncured resin from the surface (without it, models stay tacky and are a skin irritant). Curing fully hardens the model for painting. A dedicated station like the Mercury XS makes both steps faster and more consistent than a jar and a UV lamp, and reduces IPA vapour exposure.
What IPA should I use with the Elegoo Mercury XS?
Use 99% isopropyl alcohol (IPA). Do not use 70% IPA — the water content is too high and it cleans resin poorly. Do not use acetone — it will damage the plastic wash basket. 99% IPA is the standard wash solution for resin printers and is widely available.
How long does the IPA last before it needs replacing?
It depends on print volume. The IPA becomes saturated with dissolved uncured resin over time and loses cleaning effectiveness. A common approach: let the used IPA sit in sunlight with the lid off — UV light cures the dissolved resin into particles that sink to the bottom, and you can pour off and reuse the cleaner IPA from the top. Eventually the IPA needs full replacement. Dispose of used IPA responsibly — do not pour it down the drain.
How long should I cure miniatures in the Mercury XS?
2–4 minutes is the standard range for 28–32mm miniatures. Larger terrain pieces or thick solid prints may need 4–6 minutes. Over-curing is possible — it makes the resin brittle and can yellow clear or light-coloured resin. Start at 3 minutes for standard models and adjust based on results. A model is properly cured when it is hard, slightly matte on the surface, and no longer has a tacky feel.
Is the Elegoo Mercury XS compatible with non-Elegoo printers?
Yes. The Mercury XS works with any resin print that fits within the wash basket dimensions — it is not specific to Elegoo printers. Anycubic, Phrozen, Bambu, and other printer brands all produce 405nm resin prints that wash and cure in exactly the same way.