Nonrigid vinyl chloride plastics may on prolonged contact mar lacquer finishes through plasticizer migration. One example where this reaction may interfere with serviceability is in the use of these plastics as coatings on electrical cords and wires. A series of experimental vinyl chloride plastics compounded with various monomeric and polymeric plasticizers have been evaluated using the Sward rocker method. The relation of the chemical structure of plasticizers with respect to marring is discussed. The results of the study show that plasticizers that are the most attractive from a nonmarring standpoint produce compounds with the least resilience. The relationship is such, however, that compromises with satisfactory serviceability may be achieved.