Recently, a video showing “pregnant” cars with giant bubbles on their surfaces has drawn considerable attention, leading to doubts about the quality of Chinese automobiles.
When the internet first emerged, it was promised to be a tool to make our lives easier, providing vast amounts of information at our fingertips. However, today’s reality tells a different story; this global network has become fertile ground for the spread of misinformation and fake news. In the digital age, anyone can create and share content online, and this is not limited to conveying the truth but also includes sensational stories aimed at capturing attention.
A recent prime example is the viral video of “pregnant” cars in China, featuring enormous bubbles appearing on the car surface. However, the truth is that these images do not reflect a simple physical phenomenon such as air expansion due to high temperatures; rather, they are the result of artificial intervention.
The Phenomenon of Gas Expansion: Reality vs. Fiction
In the automotive industry, wrapping cars in vinyl has become a popular alternative to repainting. This process involves applying colored vinyl sheets to the car’s body, creating a protective layer and quickly changing the car’s appearance at a lower cost than repainting. However, car wrapping can lead to the formation of small air bubbles underneath the vinyl. But, these bubbles are typically very small and never grow large enough to create “pregnant cars” as seen in the viral video.
Vinyl wrapping is not only cost-effective but also helps protect the original paint while allowing for easy changes in color or style.
However, during the wrapping process, it is inevitable for small air bubbles to get trapped under the vinyl, leading to blistering.
Let’s consider a specific example: Suppose an air volume of about one quart (~0.94 liters) is trapped under the vinyl when it is applied to a car at a temperature of 68°F (20°C). When this car is taken outside into hot weather at 104°F (40°C), the air will expand, but the level of expansion is only about 7%. This means the air bubble with a volume of one quart will increase to 1.068 quarts (~1.004 liters). This is a very slight change, not enough to create the large bulges depicted in the video.
In reality, the bubbles we see in the video are so large that they are hard to believe. This is completely inconsistent with the principles of gas expansion under high temperatures.
Theoretically, when air is trapped under the vinyl wrap and subjected to high temperatures, it will expand, resulting in larger air bubbles. However, this expansion is usually very small and negligible.
The Truth Behind the Giant Bubbles
So, if it is not caused by high temperatures, what created these giant bubbles? The answer lies in the use of compressed air. In fact, these giant bubbles are not the result of air expanding due to high temperatures. Instead, they are the result of using compressed air during the removal of the vinyl wrap from the car. Compressed air is used to inflate the vinyl, making it easier to separate it from the car’s surface. When compressed air is blown under the vinyl, it creates large bubbles, just like those we see in the video.
This has been confirmed by many experts in the vinyl industry. On forums like Reddit, numerous individuals working in this field have explained that using compressed air to remove vinyl wrap is a common technique, and the giant bubbles that appear are merely a byproduct of this process. Therefore, the bubbles we see in the video are not indicative of any manufacturing defect, and they certainly do not serve as “evidence” of poor quality in cars produced in China.
Lessons from the “Pregnant Car” Story
The story of the “pregnant” cars is a clear testament to the dangers of misinformation on the internet. When faced with sensational images and videos, we need to maintain a discerning perspective and verify information before believing what we see. The internet, while a powerful tool, is also a place where the truth can easily be obscured by inaccurate or even deceptive content.
In an age of artificial intelligence and rapid information dissemination, adhering to the principle of fact-checking is essential. This story also reminds us that not everything on the internet is true, and differentiating between fact and fiction is a skill that everyone needs to cultivate to avoid being drawn into misleading narratives.
