Reducing Deterioration of Lego Minifigures?

[382nd Legionnaire]

Recently, many of my Lego minifigures have been developing defects and cracks. I have found that minifigures legs tend to wear out and become loose if kept sitting for a long time. And its not just minifigures that see play constantly. For instance, my Aayla Secura minifigure that I have kept in a collection box for a while has developed a torso crack from the bottom that stretched to her right arm socket making the arm very loose. Luckily for me, I am getting a free replacement from lego after speaking to them about this issue. This example has made me very worried about playing with other minifigures in fear of the same result. And especially worrying is that I tend to keep figures in good condition.

Lego is made to be a children's toy and is designed to be played with. Obviously, nothing lasts forever especially small plastic toys, but the rate at which my minifigures have been deteriorating is cause for alarm. And its becoming more common with newer figures rather than older ones. Is there any way to reduce problems such as these with minifigures? Has the minifigure quality decreased over time?

[charlieboy]

Have to say I haven't experienced anything like this at all. I have almost 1000 minifigs none of which have deteriorated in the way you mention. I have about 300 on display in various glass display cases and the rest boxed up that are frequently opened and played with by my son but even so, aside from the odd scratch on the played with ones, they have no damage at all.

[Leo604]

I suppose the only way to reduce deterioration is probably not to play with them as much, which kinda sucks. Me personally I try not to turn my minifigures' hands too much when posing so they don't become loose in the future; experienced that with my brother's Rohan soldier.

And yeah, I've noticed cracks forming in the hands of the newer minifigures too, especially in the licensed theme. Nothing too major like the accessories falling out but they're visibly there.

[TheLegoDr]

I think it is pretty random. I have some brand new pieces/figures that have cracks out of the box, and I have others from the early 90s that were extensively played with that still don't show any signs of wear. I've removed hands/arms/legs a lot to help customize figures and some become loose and others are as tight as can be.

I think it is unfortunate, but we are dealing with plastic and plastic isn't necessarily the most durable of materials. At least (sometimes) LEGO will be able to replace the piece or figure.

[LEGO Historian]

For more information on issues with the plastic that LEGO uses... see posts 11 and 12 of "The 65th year of LEGO thread"....

It will give you some insight into why some of the issues with minifigs may arise.... more than 1 source of the plastic may mean some sources are not of the same quality....

[Leo604]

For more information on issues with the plastic that LEGO uses... see posts 11 and 12 of "The 65th year of LEGO thread"....

It will give you some insight into why some of the issues with minifigs may arise.... more than 1 source of the plastic may mean some sources are not of the same quality....

Yeah, I suspected their supply of ABS had changed in recent years; the colour thing surprised me though. Wish the prices would reflect this and go down a little, especially for licensed themes. :/

[TheLegoDr]

Prices will never go down because plastic prices will continue to rise, plus normal inflation practices. Also, people are still buying the sets non-stop even with these quality issues. From a business standpoint TLG doesn't find it to be a big enough problem to fix it until their profits start to decline. And I don't blame them, even though I'd always love cheaper prices.