Can Legos Melt In A Hot Car? (No, But…)
Summer’s here, and it’s hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk!
But what about your Legos?
Will they melt into a colorful puddle if you accidentally leave them in the car on a scorcher?
Relax, builders! Your LEGO bricks won’t melt in a hot car under normal conditions. However, there are some surprising ways heat can damage the bricks.
In this post, I’ll explain why legos won’t melt in a hot car or under the sun.
And I’ll also go over how the heat will affect the legos and the best way to store them in a hot car.
Lego Melting Point
First things first – let’s talk about the melting point of LEGO bricks, and what they are made of.
LEGO bricks are made from a thermoplastic polymer called ABS (don’t worry about the long name). This stuff is pretty heat-resistant, and is known for its strength and durability.
The melting point of this plastic is around 221°F (that’s about 105°C).
Now, that’s way hotter than your car is likely to get, even on the hottest day of the year.
Your car could reach around 116°F within an hour if it’s parked directly under the sun.
Can Legos Melt In A Hot Car?
No. Lego bricks won’t melt in a hot car, because the melting point of lego is much higher than the temperatures inside a car on a hot day.
But cars can get pretty toasty inside, especially on sunny summer days.
Even though it won’t get hot enough to melt your LEGO bricks, the heat can still affect them.
Also Read: Can LEGO benefit adults’ mental health?
Here are 2 ways how the heat could damage your bricks:
#1 Warping
The first problem caused by high temperatures is warping
When LEGO bricks get warm, they might start to change shape a bit.
This is especially true if you’ve got a built model sitting in the heat. The pieces supporting weight could bend slightly under pressure.
You might not notice it right away, but over time, this warping can make your LEGO creations look a bit off or not fit together as well as they used to.
The Lego Group recommends keeping Lego bricks below 104°F (40°C) to prevent this.
#2 Reduced Clutch Power
The next issue is that your LEGO bricks might not stick together as well after being in the heat.
We call this “clutch power” – it’s what makes LEGO bricks snap together and stay put.
When it gets hot (even at moderate temperatures), the plastic expands a tiny bit. This can make the bricks fit together more loosely.
Usually, this is temporary, and things go back to normal when they cool down.
But if your LEGO bricks keep getting hot over and over, it might affect their clutch power in the long run.
Also Read: The Power of LEGO Therapy
How To Store Legos In A Hot Car
If you MUST keep your LEGO bricks in the car during hot weather, don’t worry! Here are some ways to protect them:
- Put your LEGO sets or loose bricks in a sealed plastic container or bag. This helps shield them from direct heat.
- Find the coolest spot in your car to store them. The floor or under a seat works well.
- Use a sunshade on your windshield. It helps keep the whole car cooler.
That said, try not to leave your LEGO bricks in a parked car for too long when it’s hot out.
For long-term storage, it’s best to keep your LEGO collection somewhere with a steady temperature, not in a car or outdoor storage unit.
Can Legos Melt In The Sun?
Legos won’t melt in the sun, but the sunlight can make the colors fade over time.
Plus, the heat from the sun can also cause the same issues we talked about earlier – warping and reduced clutch power.
To keep your LEGO sets looking their best, try not to leave them in direct sunlight.
If you want to show off your awesome LEGO creations, pick a spot away from windows and direct sunlight, or use a display case that blocks UV light.
Also Read: The Best LEGO Gift Ideas for All Ages
Bottom Line
LEGO bricks won’t melt in a hot car under normal circumstances, but the high temperatures can still affect it. Warping and loose fits are the main things to watch out for.
So think twice before leaving that prized LEGO set in the car on a scorching day.
Your bricks will thank you, and you’ll be building awesome creations for years to come!
FAQs
What Temperatures Are Bad For LEGO?
While LEGO bricks are pretty tough, they start to get a bit uncomfortable when temperatures climb above 104°F (40°C). So any temperature above this is bad.
That’s when you might see some of those issues we talked about earlier.
Extremely cold (below freezing) can also make LEGO bricks more brittle and prone to cracking under pressure.
Can Heat Damage Legos?
Yes, heat can damage Legos. It can warp pieces and make