Lately I've been playing around with 20mm lead figures, well I've also noticed the growing availability of 1/72 plastic ancients being released. Of course attracted by the 'cheap' and 'nice'. But any interest was usually put off by the 'known' chipping effect of plastic figs. "Why bother painting them if hey are only going to chip." After a little research on the web, I learned a new technique to try out on the plastic. A: Wash in soapy water; B: Prime with acrylic paints only; C: Paint with acrylic paints only; D: When done coat with Elmer's glue or Woodland Scenics Terrain Fixative. Both dry clear; E: I also added a coat of clear coat, I like the sheen. So after all this, I of course put them to the test! A 'Frang Test', much like the old gorilla with the baggage test. Step one: 5 drops from a height of 8 feet onto my kitchen floor. ( Just Imagine what this would do to your lead hoplites!! Bye Bye shield and Spear) Hmmm no damage. Step two: 5 times I threw the figures, with much force, against the kitchen walls. Finally a minute flake of paint on the sword of the Gaul coated with Elmer's glue. Well now, I think they can survive a convention. Time to buy a few boxes!! Editors Note: Michael - I think we can take your deductions one step further; throwing painted plastic 1/72 wargames figures against the k1tchen floor does not result in observable damage. However, flinging them against kitchen cabinets can be harmfull) Back to MWAN #113 Table of Contents Back to MWAN List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2001 Hal Thinglum This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com