Chloe Zhang
Painting 1/72 soft plastic figures can be a challenging task due to the nature of the material. The plastic used for these figures, often Polyethylene, is difficult to glue and hard for paint to adhere to. However, with the right techniques and preparation, it is possible to achieve a great result. Before painting, it is important to wash the figures with hot soapy water to remove any mould release agents and then carefully remove any flash or excess plastic with a sharp craft knife. Once the figures are clean and dry, an undercoat or primer can be applied, which will help the paint adhere better. From there, the painting process can begin, with blocking in colours and adding details.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Wash the figures to remove the anti-stick layer |
| Step 2 | Remove flash and excess plastic with a sharp craft knife or box cutter |
| Step 3 | Base figures (optional) |
| Step 4 | Prime the figures with a plastic primer |
| Step 5 | Paint the figures with acrylic hobby paints |
| Step 6 | Use a brush to paint details |
| Step 7 | Layer paint for highlighting effects |
| Step 8 | Magic dip: create a wash with paint and floor wax to add shadows |
| Step 9 | Touch up the paint job |
| Step 10 | Add shadow washes to create a three-dimensional look |
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What You'll Learn
Clean and assemble the figures
Preparing soft plastic figures for painting can be a frustrating process. While some people recommend putting the miniature in the freezer to harden the plastic, this doesn't always work.
To clean and assemble your 1/72 soft plastic figures, you will need the following:
- A soft plastic figure or figures (have a couple in case something goes wrong)
- Magnifying glasses (recommended)
- Knives, blades, and scalpels
- Super glue or plastic cement
- Dish soap
- Brushes
- Water
First, check your figure for any imperfections. Common issues with soft plastic miniatures include incomplete casting, undercuts, and mold lines. Incomplete castings occur when the plastic material does not fill the whole mold, usually with thin pieces protruding from the main body of the miniature, such as guns or swords. Undercuts are the presence of plastic material where there should be a hole. Mold lines are the fine lines that arise during casting where the two parts of the casting mold meet.
If you are happy with the condition of your figure, you can begin the cleaning process. While you don't generally need to wash plastic miniatures, it is sometimes recommended by the manufacturer. Check the packaging and instructions for your miniatures to see if washing is necessary. If you decide to wash your figures, use a brush, dish soap, and water. Rinse the miniatures in plain water after washing, then let them dry before continuing.
Once your figures are clean and dry, it's time to assemble them. If your figures have multiple parts, use super glue or plastic cement to attach them together. If you are using plastic bases, you can use plastic cement to attach the figure to the base. For non-plastic bases, super glue is recommended.
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Remove flash and excess plastic
Removing flash and excess plastic from 1/72 soft plastic figures can be a delicate task. Firstly, it is important to use the right tools for the job. Avoid using cheap sprue cutters, nail cutters, wire cutters, or knife blades to cut the figures off the sprue, as these can damage the soft plastic. Instead, opt for a specialised sprue cutter or a sharp X-Acto knife with a #11 blade. For harder, more brittle plastics, extra care must be taken to prevent removing details from the actual part.
When removing flash, it is essential to have good lighting so you can clearly see the excess plastic. An Ott light, which provides bright, natural light, can be very useful for this purpose. Once you have identified the flash, use the back of a #11 X-Acto blade to carefully scrape it off. Be sure to change your blades frequently to ensure a sharp edge, which will make the process easier and reduce the risk of accidental cuts.
After scraping off the majority of the flash, use a narrow sanding stick or sandpaper to smooth out any remaining seams or rough areas. Hold the figure with tweezers and gently rub it against the sandpaper for more precision. If the figure has delicate parts, consider leaving some sprue attached for easier handling, and cut it away later. Alternatively, you can use a medical scalpel or a heated paper clip to carefully melt and remove excess glue.
For fragile or complex poses, consider mounting the figure on a sturdy base or embedding it within a group of figures for support. Plasticine can be used to add flowing capes or plumes, enhancing the sense of movement in your figures. Remember to work carefully and patiently, as removing flash and excess plastic from small-scale models like 1/72 figures requires precision and a steady hand.
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Apply an undercoat
To apply an undercoat to 1/72 soft plastic figures, you must first wash the figures to remove any residue from the manufacturing process. This can be done with hot water and dish detergent, or an ammonia-based window cleaner. Once they are clean and dry, you can begin the undercoating process.
Some people recommend using PVA glue as an undercoat to create a good painting surface. However, others suggest using a spray primer designed for plastic, such as Tamiya flat black, grey, or brown. You can also use a cheap automotive primer, spraying the figures from multiple angles to get decent coverage. It is important to note that regular spray primer will not work on soft plastic figures as they bend and the primer will crack.
If you are using a spray primer, it is recommended to glue the figures to popsicle sticks before priming, to make them easier to handle. You can use hot melt glue or PVA glue, depending on whether you want to remove the sticks later.
Once the undercoat is dry, you can begin painting. It is recommended to start with the flesh and faces of the figures, blocking in the major colours, and then adding details. You can also try layering paint, using successively smaller and lighter shades to create highlights.
Remember, there is no single correct way to paint these figures, and you should feel free to experiment and find the method that works best for you.
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Paint the figures
Painting 1/72 soft plastic figures can be a challenging task, but with the right tools and techniques, you can achieve great results. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you paint your figures:
Step 1: Wash the figures
When you take your figures off their sprues, they will be coated with an invisible layer of anti-stick substance that prevents paint from adhering to them. Soak the figures in hot soapy water for about an hour, then rinse them under cold water for 5 minutes. Gently scrub them with a soft brush to remove any residue.
Step 2: Remove flash and excess plastic
Flash is the excess plastic that remains on a figure after it has been removed from the mold. This step is crucial as it can ruin the final appearance of your figure. Carefully use a sharp craft knife, box cutter, or scalpel to shave off the flash bit by bit, being mindful not to cut any important details.
Step 3: Prime the figures
Before painting, it is essential to prime the figures. You can use a plastic primer like Valspar or a cheap automotive primer. Spray the primer onto the figures, ensuring all surfaces are covered. You may need to reposition the figures to get complete coverage.
Step 4: Paint the details
Once the primer is dry, it's time to add colour. Start by blocking in the major colours on each figure. Then, add details such as facial features, clothing textures, and shield designs. For lines, pull the brush towards you for better control. You can also try layering paint, using lighter shades on raised areas to create highlights.
Step 5: Touch up the paint job
Examine your figures from all angles, touching up any missed spots to create a uniform look.
Step 6: Add shadows
To bring your figures to life, create your own shadows using a shadow wash. Mix water or varnish with a small amount of paint to achieve the desired consistency and colour. Apply this mixture to the figures to give them a three-dimensional appearance, focusing on areas like folds of clothing and under weapons.
Step 7: Seal and protect
Finally, seal your figures with a clear coat to protect your paint job and prevent flaking or cracking.
Remember to take your time, work in a well-ventilated area, and always follow safety precautions when using sharp tools or sprays. With patience and practice, you'll be able to paint impressive 1/72 soft plastic figures.
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Touch up the paint job
When touching up the paint job, it is important to look at the models from all angles and directions to identify any missed spots or big unpainted patches. This is a simple step that just involves searching for any areas that may have been missed and touching them up to create a uniform look.
Before painting, it is important to wash the figures with hot water and a few squirts of standard dish detergent to remove any residue from the moulds that would prevent the paint from sticking. You can then dry them thoroughly and carefully remove any excess plastic with a sharp craft knife or box cutter.
For the painting itself, it is recommended to start with the undercoat, which will help the paint stick to the plastic. You can then block in the major colours on each figure and add details. One technique is to paint all the details with a very dark shade and then go over them with a lighter shade, leaving a border of the darker tone around the edges. Another faster alternative is to paint the details with the correct colour and then do a wash with black on top, or a black wash first if you want a brighter result, and then touch it up with the correct colour.
When painting, it is recommended to use a good-quality fine brush for the details, with brushes in the sizes 0, 00, and even 000 being ideal. For the initial blocking in of colours, a larger brush can be used, such as a number 2. It is also important to pull the brush towards you when painting lines, as your muscles have more control when they are contracting.
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Frequently asked questions
First, cut the figures off the sprue. Then, wash the figures with hot soapy water to remove the mould release agent. Next, cut away any flash or excess plastic with a sharp craft knife or box cutter. Be careful not to cut off any important parts of the figure. Finally, glue on any additional pieces, such as shields, and attach the figure to a base.
Soft plastic figures require a special type of primer that is designed for use on plastic. Some options include Valspar plastic primer, Krylon white plastic primer, and Vallejo black primer. It is important to avoid using too much primer, as it can cause the figure to bend and crack.
Start by blocking in the major colours on each figure. Then, add details such as lines, shields, and contrasting colours at cuffs or hems. For a very good effect, paint the details with a very dark shade and then go over them with a lighter shade, leaving a border of the darker tone.
1/72 figures are too small for light to create natural shadows, so you will need to create your own. You can do this by using a shadow wash, which is made by combining water or varnish with a small amount of paint. Apply the wash to the figure to create shadows in the folds of clothing, under weapons, and in other recesses.
It is important to take your time and be careful when painting soft plastic figures. Use a magnifying glass to see the small details more clearly. Avoid using a file on soft plastic, as it will only shred the surface. Instead, use a sharp scalpel or craft knife to remove flash and mould lines.
