[RTBrandy]

If it makes you feel any better, we play twice a week with mine (for over 12 months now) and I've had no noticable wear on them...even the whites...

there's been no chipping or dirt issues at all....

we play weekly for only slightly longer at a friends with his paulson JB's, and they're filthy!!

[unmaster]

Yes, that actually makes me feel better... So one could say that ASM's might be a little more tiresome to clean, but on the other hand, you won't have to clean them very often. Good news.

[JM]

Well they are 'coated', there is a vinyl like surface over the printed inlay which is then pressed into the chip along with the mold. Its not just a paper label with no protection on it. You just got one that was not completely sealed.