Plastic or paint

[NightViper]

I got to thinking about this after I opened my Phoenix and Jean Grey yesterday. They both have hands cast in Caucasian flesh tones, and I can think of few others like that. Most un-gloved hands are cast in white or the body color and then painted. They've also done this with heads. Most noticeably the Streetfighter Minimates. The two-packs had painted faces, but the TRU ones were casted in that color.

So which do you prefer? For me, it's plastic. It just looks more vibrant. The paint has a dull look to it, whereas the plastic makes them look more "alive."

Am I the only one that thinks about this stuff?

[antacost]

Actually, I prefer the fully painted figures. I just like the more uniform look to all of the colors as apposed to the shinier plastic/duller paint combo. So, you're not the only one that thinks about this stuff... You're just wrong :biggrin:

[boyd]

I like the plastic. To me it helps them feel like toys. The Street Figter Minimate faces have always bugged me because they were painted - it's always felt off to me.

[NightViper]

Actually, I prefer the fully painted figures. I just like the more uniform look to all of the colors as apposed to the shinier plastic/duller paint combo. So, you're not the only one that thinks about this stuff... You're just wrong :biggrin:

For the costumes, I do like the completely painted bodies. For instance, Ben Reilly Spider-Man is much better than regular Spider-Man because they painted everything, rather than relying on the red plastic for the red. That makes the colors stand out better.

It's only with skin that I prefer the plastic. Odd I know.

[MisterPL]

It's only with skin that I prefer the plastic. Odd I know.

Actually it's not odd at all. Human skin isn't flat, it's layered. CGI modellers struggled getting flesh down right for years until they had a way to create skin that had a subtle translucency to it. Because the pigment is molded in, colored plastic is closer to a realistic flesh look than just paint.

I prefer painted uniforms as well, probably for the same reason.

[Deadpool]

I was JUST thinking about this. I prefer paint for everything but the head. Like the DC minimates have done (except Joker). You say the TRU SF ones have normal faces? Damn it, now I want some...

[minivenom]

I generally prefer colored plastic over painted parts. The fact that painted parts look more vibrant is a good argument, but I think it's more due to the plastic AA uses on the Minimates than anything else. Take LEGO minifigs, for instance. Molded pieces and vibrant colors.

The other problem I have with the painted bodies is all the broken hips our Mates have been suffering lately. The extra paint in the joints is causing quality issues.

[antacost]

Okay... I'll revise my previous statement.

I actually do prefer the fleshy tones to be cast. That does look better.

The bodies, look better painted, but like Minivenom said, it does add to some hip problems.

So, I guess I'm split.

[MINI_MYTE]

Casted flesh plastic is better. Less chipping and scratches occur on those guys. Flesh plastic hands are better as well for the same reason.

[Jatta Pake]

I used to be a casted plastic person, but the high quality of DC Minimates is converting me to a painted plastic person.

I'm with antacost and I'm split on the issue. For my customs, I have converted to prefering fully painted. I now follow the "Mini-Myte System" and prime the entire Minimate gray before applying paints.

[SymbioteSpawn]

I like theh bodies painted except for the heads and skin tones.

[Cyc]

Plastic for flesh tones, paint for everything else. DCD mates seem to have the right mix in that regard, even if they mates are more rubbery than older Marvel/C3 ones.