Plastic Figure Conversion

Bonding Soft Plastic Miniatures and Accessories

Bavarian Kürassiers and Harquebusiers in front of an Imperial redoubt.

Converting soft plastic figures made of Polyethylene (PE) or Polypropylene (PP) can be difficult, because there is no reliable adhesive for these types of plastic. PE and PP plastics have a particularly smoothe and wax-like surface which does not moisten well. Paint or glue does not stick, because the glue molecules cannot form a surface bond with the plastic molecules. There are complicated and expensive industrial processes which will bond Polyethylen und Polypropylen plastics, using the corona process or low temperature plasma. However, these bonding processes are too expensive to be used for military modelling purposes.

Adhesives and Bonding Techniques

  • Soldering
  • Pinning & Fixing
  • Rai-Ro Adhesive Wax (brown)
  • K+S Polyolefin Adhesive Set
  • Pattex Blitz Plastik flüssig
  • Loctite / Pattex "All Plastics" or "SuperPlastics"

There are a number of useful bonding techniques which may be used in the conversion of soft plastic figures made of Polyethylen (PE) oder Polypropylen (PP). Wargamers typically opt for the more secure bonds, because their miniatures are handled frequently during simulation games.

Modelling Techniques