Decoding the phenomenon of cars 'pregnant' under the sun in China

In a short clip shared on Weibo and later on the social media platform X (the new name of Twitter), some cars can be seen with large, inflated bulges on the hood or body of the car.

This strange phenomenon was first shared on the Chinese social media platform Weibo in April, when the owner of a BMW 5-Series in Hubei, China, shared a photo showing a protruding bulge on the hood of the car. Subsequently, many car owners in other parts of China also shared similar images.

BMW 5-Series with an inflated "coat" on the hood (Photo: Weibo).

This phenomenon is easily explained. The abnormal bulges do not originate from the car body, but from an outer car wrap, used to protect the original paint or for decorative purposes.

Wrapping the entire car body is often done for aesthetic purposes, but it requires some care to ensure that the wraps do not bulge as seen in the video, or fade in color.

"Prolonged exposure to hot sun can affect the lifespan and aesthetics of the wrap. Over time, high temperatures can cause the exterior wrap to shrink, bulge, or fade," explained Wrap Guys company.

Many types of wraps come with UV protection, but even so, care must be taken to prevent the wrap from fading.

Images of cars looking like they are "pregnant" under the hot sun in China (Source: Weibo).

According to Wrap Guys company, regular cleaning of the car body is recommended, but avoid using strong chemical cleaners and high-pressure water. It is also advisable to park the car in the shade when it is hot and sunny. Additionally, pay attention to signs that indicate the wrap may be damaged to address it early.

Wrap Guys company explained that the bulging phenomenon occurs when the adhesive has air bubbles, and the volume of air bubbles increases when exposed to high temperatures, causing the exterior wrap to bulge as seen in the images.