I would really like to know, what is the best way to prepare the 1/72-76 scale soft plastic figures for painting?
I’ve tried washing them and then spraying the figures using a modeling primer. Then I would wait until they were dry, 24-48 hrs and then start to paint my figures. But for some reason, just a little bump on them and the paint comes off.
What should I do to not have this happen again?
Thank you.
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The “soft” plastic is actually a form of vinyl. They make vinyl paint that you can prime them with, then use regular paint on them. Another option is to prime them with PVA glue (Elmer’s type school glue). Brush it on and let dry, then paint.
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Thank you sir for the information, do have any recommendations on what brand of vinyl paint I should use?
Thank you once again.
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What’s equally important is clean up prep of these soft plastic figures. Some of the moulds are 40 + years old, and have tremendous amounts of flash. Soft plastic is almost impervious to blades, and files. 
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No brand recommendations, but I have used vinyl spray paint for painting car interiors, and it worked fine. Check auto parts stores.
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You can try freezing them - it works on vinyl tires. You can use a heated no. 11 blade. I installed one on a soldering iron.
Found that out in my youth! Thought it would sand like styrene and tried to sand off the flash on the old Airfix Afrika Korps figure. Gave them all fuzzy coats!
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I still enjoy soft plastic figures. I’ve been fiddling around with how to permanently paint them now for some 30 years. And I think I found the solution and it is simple.
Krylon, and probably some other paint brands, have come out with spray paints that are formulated for slick plastics (vinyls?). I bought some years ago and started priming my figures with of them. The paint does not rub, break or flake off. I use that as the primer and then good ol’ regular hobby enamels and even acrylic paints adhear no problem.
I’ve not read any of the other replies above (but I will!) so maybe people have already talked about that, or the following. I’ve read other articles where people go to what I think are extremes, such as coding the figures in super glue, ultra fine super glues. That works we’re holding the paint but it obscures a lot of the detail.
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Great idea. I’ve not heard of that before.
JPTRR’s reply is RIGHT on the money. Go to your Home Repair store (Home Depot or Lowes or Menards) and look for spray paint primers for lawn furniture or other plastic furniture. It is made for vinyl chlorides, especially shinny surfaces. This type of paint provides excellent adhesion for later application of hobby solvent or water based paints.
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I have had some success priming soft plastic 1/72 figures with matt Mod Podge. I found that it works best to completely finish the figures and get them ready for mounting (remove bases, pins in feet etc) as cutting through the Mod Podge later can cause it to tear. once a figure is totally coated in Mod Podge and then painted / lacquered I’ve had no problem with any paint lifting.
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