Can Lego Stickers Get Wet?

Lego stickers are one of many fun accessories that you can add to your Lego sets. The variety of Lego stickers that you can purchase is extensive, making them a fun product to experiment with. Lego stickers may be a versatile accessory, but can they get wet? Lego stickers will actually pull loose or get damaged if they get wet without being properly protected first. Some Legos/Duplos have designs that are actually built into the bricks so in that case getting those wet won’t hurt them. If they are properly protected, Lego stickers can get wet with no issues, but how exactly should you properly protect them? To find out more about how to protect your Lego stickers so they can get wet, keep reading as I will cover 3 tips that you can use to protect your stickers even when they get wet. To see some popular Lego stickers that are currently available just click here. What are Lego Stickers? Before we get to those three tips it’s important to first go over exactly what I’m talking about when I refer to these Lego stickers. Lego stickers are often used as the final detail on a finished set. They can be used to add realism to the design that just having the bricks cannot. They are often logos, labels, fine details, or even colorful finishing touches. They are most often sold in large sheets that have a variety of different stickers so you can apply them whenever or wherever you want. These stickers are included in some sets, but you can also buy the sheets on their own. The Lego Store also carries replacement stickers for their sets. Lego stickers are made of plastic, sold most often in sheets, and come with an adhesive backing that sticks them to the plastic Lego bricks. Some Lego blocks (and Duplos) have designs that are actually built into the blocks themselves. I don’t consider these to be stickers although they might look quite similar. These type of built in designs will be as durable as the actual Legos or Duplos so water won’t affect them. What Happens if Lego Stickers Get Wet? The most common result of a Lego sticker getting wet will be that it will lose its stickiness. The water can wash off the adhesive backing, which will make it peel away from whatever block it is stuck to. Stickers normally have a plastic coating on the front, which will protect them from some water. However, water that gets around the edge of the sticker can get underneath it and cause it to become less sticky. Basically, a little bit of water probably won’t damage your stickers, but any more than a couple of drops can cause some serious damage and for them to come off entirely. How to Take Care of Lego Stickers The number one thing you can do to keep your Lego stickers in the best condition is to keep them protected from outside elements. This includes water, wind, heat, and also humidity. Water and humidity can ruin the adhesive as I mentioned above. Heat can cause the stickers to curl or bubble on whatever they are stuck to. Wind can cause dust to work its way under the sticker, making the backing less sticky and eventually causing them to fall off as well. 3 Tips To Protect Your Lego Stickers From Damage If you’re worried about your stickers being damaged, there are a few things you can do to protect them from all of the elements mentioned above. Some of these methods will work better in some ways than others so depending on how you are using your Lego stickers will determine which method you will want to use. Use Clear Nail Polish Clear nail polish or a topcoat is used to protect nail polish from water and to prevent chipping. You can also use it to add extra protection to your Lego stickers. Painting a thin coat of clear nail polish over your stickers can add a barrier between them and any water they may come into contact with. Nail polish probably won’t do much if you want to submerge the stickers, but it will make them more resistant to water damage from minor spills. Be careful using nail polish if you’re not sure about your sticker placement. Acetone will be needed to remove the nail polish, and it will almost certainly damage the stickers and make them unusable again. If you’re sure about the sticker location and you want a little bit of extra protection from water, clear nail polish can be a excellent solution. Use Mod Podge Mod Podge is a sealant commonly used in DIY projects and arts and crafts. It’s a white glue-like substance that dries clear, sealing in whatever it covers. You can use it by painting a thin layer over the Lego sticker and placing it in a well-ventilated place to dry. You should also make sure your sticker is in the place you want it before sealing it in (as with the nail polish method above). Once it has dried, it will provide a water-resistant layer over the sticker. If it does happen to get wet, it may cause some cloudiness to appear but once it is dry it should become clear again, but if it happens often, the clouding may become permanent. If you want to move the sticker after sealing it, you’ll have to scrape off the mod podge and this can obviously damage the sticker. Like nail polish, this solution isn’t a foolproof way to stop water damage, but it will offer some protection. You can also use PVA glue or an aerosol sealant for a similar result. Use A Laminate Cover Sheet Laminate coversheets can lock water and debris out of an area very effectively. They basically create a plastic barrier between the sticker and the outside world. Laminate plastic sheets can be bought online or in some craft stores, and they’re generally inexpensive. To use one, the first step is cutting it to the right size. You’ll want it to be just slightly bigger than the sticker itself. Next, remove the backing and carefully press the laminate onto the plastic brick. To avoid wrinkles and bubbles, try smoothing it down with something with a flat edge, like a credit card. Since the laminate is thinker you are much more likely to notice it on top of your Lego stickers than you would if you just use clear nail polish or Mod Podge. Where Can You Get Lego Stickers? The most obvious place to get Lego stickers is at the Lego Store, or another licensed retailer. You can find them at many online stores, as well as at physical stores also. You can also get off-brand stickers for your bricks on sites like Amazon. These are often cheaper, but they will also have a lower quality standard. Make sure to read the reviews to avoid getting ripped off (and avoid your stickers from getting ripped off too!). Some Lego stickers are rare, limited edition, or even collector’s items. These can be found on trading or resale sites like Ebay. Resold or collector’s item stickers can be very expensive, depending on how rare they are. Conclusion Legos are an incredibly popular toy around the world, and Lego stickers are a fun way to add realism, creativity, and details to your finished Lego set. These stickers can be bought online and in stores, and most of them aren’t very expensive. Lego stickers can be damaged by water and other elements, but they can be protected by things like nail polish, laminate sheets, and sealant sprays as well.