The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word EGGSHELL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
E
G
G
S
H
E
L
L
More clues leading to the result EGGSHELL
- For best results, soldiers need this protective layer to be cracked
- Finish, say, golf round
- Say good woman is going to sort of finish
- Kind of porcelain: things for poaching by the underworld
- There's some white in this paint
- Fragile material goods woman kept in building wing
- There’s some white in this paint
- Type of paint covering applied in layers
- Obstacle to soldiers encourages uproar
- Finish Spurs nightmare
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "For best results, soldiers need this protective layer to be cracked" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case for best results, soldiers need this protective layer to be cracked = eggshell.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does EGGSHELL mean?
EGGSHELL noun- The shell around an egg.
- A pale off-white colour, like that of the eggshell.
- Of a pale yellowish-whitish colour, like that of the eggshell.
- Exhibiting the thinness, translucency or near-transparency, and fragility of an eggshell; as in eggshell porcelain.
- Very matt, having a low reflexivity, like an eggshell.