Minifigure Leg Damage

[ILikePi]

Hi everyone.

I searched for a thread like this, but I couldn't find any, so I started one.

I few days ago, while checking my minifigures, I noticed that one had some faint white lines on the higher studs on the back of the legs. Usually, white lines on plastic means that the plastic is getting weaker. Here are some pictures if you don't know what I mean:

A TIE Pilot minifigure from 7659 Imperial Landing Craft .

A pirate minifigure from 6239 Cannon Battle

A normal town minifigure that is probably over 10 years old (from 4288 Classic Bucket). Notice that on this minifigure, there is only a small white spot.

A rebel minifigure from 7668 Rebel Scout Speeder

A shadow trooper minifigure from 7667 Imperial Dropship

A clone trooper minifigure from 8014 Clone Walker Battle Pack.

A 851683 Royal Guard Keyring.

Almost all of my minifigures have these lines.

My V-wing pilot minifigure has the most damage to the legs. It's my most articulated minifigure (the legs and everything move very easily), and has thick lines on both leg parts.

So, my question is:

What causes these lines to appear? Is it from pulling down on the legs with too much force? From moving the minifigure legs too much? From keeping the legs at a position for a long time?

Do your minifigures have these lines?

Edited April 15, 2009 by ILikePi

[Skipper 24]

I doubt 'spinning' the legs would cause damage. Removing them from their sockets and putting them back on I am sure will. Perhaps it is just when in the factory when they get put on these lines appear.

[Erdbeereis]

I noticed this on a few of mine as well, I think it's more of something that happens in the factory, as the lines were on some brand new minifigs.

I don't believe it's a big problem....

[k_peek_2000]

I don't think those minifigs are gonna like the fact u've been taking pictures of their behinds :P

[JCC1004]

They are mostly all like that, It's just the cause of machines putting them on the hips.

[Shoc]

It's just the pressure from the legs being put on the hip piece, nothing unusual and nothing to worry about.

I don't think those minifigs are gonna like the fact u've been taking pictures of their behinds :P

Heheh, no.

:skull:

[Peppermint_M]

I have only ever found hinge loosening to be a problem making the legs unuseable (unless the figure is sat in a chair) and some heel snapping. You also could have warned us about all the butt pics in the topic title...

[ILikePi]

I don't think those minifigs are gonna like the fact u've been taking pictures of their behinds :P

You also could have warned us about all the butt pics in the topic title...

I should've zoomed in on the legs...

Thanks for the responses everyone. I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't a big problem...

Edited April 15, 2009 by ILikePi

[SWMAN]

Considering that the lines are on your Cannon Battle figure, I wouldn't worry. That figure is less than a year old, and Lego figures won't crack for a long time with limited-regular use, and probably 4-5 years with heavy use. Like others have said, putting the arms or legs into and out off sockets a lot will take their toll of the limb and the torso.

[xenologer]

Don't take my word on this...

but if you really don't like those lines, try taking a very tiny jeweler's screwdriver and press it along the white marks to lightly compress the plastic there.

My theory is that white marks are stretched plastic, and compression relieves the stretch marks.

At least, I've done this on some of my 1*2 grill tiles to get rid of the ugly white dot they sometimes have on one end.

[Skipper 24]

I have only ever found hinge loosening to be a problem making the legs unuseable (unless the figure is sat in a chair) and some heel snapping. You also could have warned us about all the butt pics in the topic title...

That hasn't happened to me except on one minifigure. I personally think lego is quite strong and doesn't tend to snap, apart from those little gear stick aerial pieces.

[Peppermint_M]

That is only with the oldest figures in my collection (Classic Space I believe) that were hand me downs and much played with before, the same with the loose hips/legs and even then its only about six pairs and two heels out of about twenty figures.

[pesgores]

What an excuse to show pictures of the minifig's rear parts

Now seriously, I don't think it's a problem. I can't even see a "clear" white line.

[Skipper 24]

What an excuse to show pictures of the minifig's rear parts

Now seriously, I don't think it's a problem. I can't even see a "clear" white line.

Especially on the white clone trooper legs .

[prateek]

all my figs are like this too. they also have cracks on their backs where the extended studs from the legs go in. One of my figs leg fell off with a peg in it

[Eskallon]

Well I wouldn't worry as these lines also appear on most of my figures. I personally noticed this a while back and simply thought as it was on neary all of them it would have been the factory markings.