Home >> Toys >> Toy Vehicles

How to Make a LEGO Car Go Faster on Cardboard

Several factors affect how fast something such as a Lego car can go, including its weight and shape. However, another important factor is friction as this is what slows things down. For example, if you push a Lego car on carpet it doesn̵7;t go far before it stops, but if you push the car on a polished surface, it goes farther and fast. If you look at cardboard under a microscope you see thousands of fibers. The fibers cause friction and restrict the speed a Lego car can go. Make the surface of the cardboard smoother and the Lego car goes faster.

Things You'll Need

Fine sandpaper
Clean cloth
Clear varnish
Paint brush

Instructions

- 1
  Rub the surface of the cardboard gently using very fine sandpaper. This removes some of the fibers and makes them all a similar size so the surface is smoother for your Lego car. Rub your fingers over the cardboard before and after you use the sandpaper and you can feel the difference.
- 2
  Wipe the cardboard using a clean soft cloth. This removes the loose fibers.
- 3
  Use a brush and paint a thin coat of clear varnish on the cardboard. Let the varnish dry.
- 4
  Rub the cardboard using very fine sandpaper again. Wipe the cardboard with a clean cloth.
- 5
  Apply another thin coat of varnish. Let the varnish dry.
- 6
  Test how fast your Lego car can now go on the cardboard. You'll find that it goes much faster as the surface of the cardboard is smooth and, therefore, the friction is reduced.

Toy Vehicles