Is this a new thing going around ?

[30-6]

Well I haven't seen this before.

Two BMW's , parked tidy outside a house, everything looks normal in good condition, no damage to notice.

Except, both cars are totally rusty. No paint on them at all. New craze or what ?

[Mr grumpy]

Yep, it's a 'thing' now.

[30-6]

So would they be acceptable for an MOT pass ?

[Spr1985]

Quite possibly a vinyl wrap :- 

[Centrepin]

Isn't it an American Street car thing, another craze from across the pond?

[TIGHTCHOKE]

I think it is known as "RAT"

[London Best]

1 hour ago, TIGHTCHOKE said:

I think it is known as "RAT"

T. W. A. T.

Fixed it for you.

[DUNKS]

We have a Volkswagen beetle in our street with the rust wrap. I think it looks great!

[London Best]

Well almost any different look would improve a Beetle!

[TIGHTCHOKE]

9 hours ago, London Best said:

Well almost any different look would improve a Beetle!

     

[Centrepin]

23 hours ago, DUNKS said:

We have a Volkswagen beetle in our street with the rust wrap. I think it looks great!

From what I remember of VW beetles they never needed a rust wrap, it came as standard

[Karlos_]

On 03/09/2023 at 22:27, 30-6 said:

Well I haven't seen this before.

Two BMW's , parked tidy outside a house, everything looks normal in good condition, no damage to notice.

Except, both cars are totally rusty. No paint on them at all. New craze or what ?

The RAT look is not a new thing and has been in the VW scene for along time, as mentioned the style originated in the United States, particularly in Southern California, in the 1950s and 1960s. Mainly in the custom car and hot rod culture. However over the years it has gained popularity in the UK. If done correctly and well it can look really impressive depending on your taste its also called patina, as mentioned it been a VW thing for many years and I've seen it at many VW shows, below are a few of the good ones I've seen.

But it's not for everyone. 😂

 

 

 

 

[DUNKS]

On 13/09/2023 at 17:38, Centrepin said:

From what I remember of VW beetles they never needed a rust wrap, it came as standard

We ran a beetle for nearly ten years not a sign of rust anywhere. One of the best little motors we have owned. But grossly underpowered.

[London Best]

In the early 1970’s a friend was running a Beetle from the 1960’s. He bumped it and had a front wing replaced. You could actually feel the difference in thickness where the replacement was only half the thickness of the original.

[JohnfromUK]

I was diverted off the M6 yesterday around Stafford area and whilst queuing in the diversion a car (think it was a VW Sirocco?) passed the other was in a strange effect which was predominantly lime green ........... including all the windows!  How the driver could see out at all was unclear.

[TIGHTCHOKE]

5 hours ago, JohnfromUK said:

I was diverted off the M6 yesterday around Stafford area and whilst queuing in the diversion a car (think it was a VW Sirocco?) passed the other was in a strange effect which was predominantly lime green ........... including all the windows!  How the driver could see out at all was unclear.

I've seen several windscreens as you describe, not sure about the legality.

[Spr1985]

On 17/09/2023 at 14:55, JohnfromUK said:

including all the windows!  How the driver could see out at all was unclear.

The tints you’re referring to come in loads of different colours, I see them all the time round my way, normally young lads driving bmw 1 series , merc A class or Audi 3’s and 4’s (other makes models too) I know them by the name “chameleon tints” and they’re legal providing they let in the legally required 75% light. A traffic officer who works in conjunction with “a car guy” to try and bridge the gap between modifiers and the police confirmed the legality in the following video https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cfn9E9GjV1c/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[JohnfromUK]

2 hours ago, Spr1985 said:

The tints you’re referring to come in loads of different colours, I see them all the time round my way, normally young lads driving bmw 1 series , merc A class or Audi 3’s and 4’s (other makes models too) I know them by the name “chameleon tints” and they’re legal providing they let in the legally required 75% light. A traffic officer who works in conjunction with “a car guy” to try and bridge the gap between modifiers and the police confirmed the legality in the following video https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cfn9E9GjV1c/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Thanks.  This was a really 'solid' lime green - and so heavily tinted I couldn't make out any figure inside the car (it was driving at the time).  I also can't help thinking that having such a heavily green coloured tint (i.e. a surface that reflects green light) - it would make any green light coming in look much dimmer than other colours.  Of course I have no idea if it was legal or not, but I would be surprised if 75% of green light got through as so much must have been reflected.  Maybe other colours got through with a high transmission percentage?

[Spr1985]

Yes when in motion they certainly look more solid in colour than what they actually are for some reason. I’ll be completely honest I don’t know exactly how the light meters work or how the transmission rate is  worked out. It will be the same as “black” tints,  some will be legal and others won’t and you can bet your last pound that plenty will be running with illegal tint levels hoping not to get pulled over.