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I have found that my newest LEGO bricks seem to be really, really slick. As in, I pick one up and it shoots out of my grip slippery. Is this phenomenon exclusive only to myself or has anyone else noticed this as well?

Dry your palms off.
My bricks always have a shiny "newness" to them, but they never are slippery. Thats interesting.

It could be that the plastic isn't properly set and it still has some of its "oil" consistency. It's just a guess, though.

MrBlack103 wrote:It could be that the plastic isn't properly set and it still has some of its "oil" consistency. It's just a guess, though.

That's unlikely. ABS is a thermoset plastic, so at room temperature it should be fully solid.

Okay, I am going out on a limb here, and have absolutely no facts to back this up, but here is my theory. In the past while, the bricks have been packaged in sealed bags, as opposed to the holey bags they were in before. The bricks probably get the oil at some point in the manufactoring process, but since they are sealed, they do not have time to air out and are thus more oily when you open them. Like I said, just a theory, but I do agree that the bricks have become more oily in recent years.

Dan

Oils make them slippery and also degrade their quality. LEGO is quite good about making sure they remain oil free. You however have fewer controls to your oiliness, as do I. Your diet may make your skin somewhat more dry or oily. Room temperature and humidity can affect the tactile feel as well. Always avoid potato chips, french fries or grilled cheese sandwiches whilst building.

New bricks definitely have something on them, my hands react to new bricks in a way they don't to well used bricks. I've always assumed it was some type of lubricant for the mold so they pop out easier. Differences in packaging and handling could affect how much of this is still on the bricks when you open the sets.

Frank

if it's an issue, just wash the pieces before use.

as for me, i prefer new bricks to old. after washing the bricks, they tend to be more rigid and less flexible. so coating or otherwise, oily new bricks = ftw for me.

Butterfingers!

I've noticed that the newer slopes have a very glossy angle which sometimes can be rather slick, but not so bad that I can't pick them up. I think it's just an isolated incident.

-Hob Took

Wouldn't this slippery sensation be caused by the mold release stuff they put in the molds so the plastic bricks don't stick in there? Personally, I haven't noticed anything strange.

I've only noticed this with the rubber-type pieces, such as tires...