Team members behind the YouTube channel Garage 54 staged a curious experiment with the VAZ NIVA? no—the VAZ “nine” hatchback—aiming to see how it would behave when faced with boiling water poured at an extreme -30° C. They placed the car outside for a night to let the cold settle, then prepared a large makeshift kettle. The setup involved boiling water in a spacious, improvised pan, with a hose attached to the vessel so the temperature wouldn’t drop during the event, ensuring a steady stream of hot water throughout the process. The goal was to observe the car’s reaction to thermal shock, something that often reveals both material limits and the quirks of automotive finishes under unusual stress. They documented the scene in a way that emphasizes the practical question: can a vehicle endure such a harsh, nearly infeasible combination of hot liquid and subzero air? (Garage 54, YouTube channel).
The host team anticipated dramatic outcomes, yet the results unfolded with surprising nuance. The hood paint remained unblemished at first glance, and none of the glass panels developed cracks from the sudden immersion in hot liquid. Instead, the glass showed resilience by withstanding the thermal impact without shattering, and the exterior surfaces displayed rapid changes in frost behavior. Even as boiling water bathed the panels, both the exterior and interior mirrored defrosting effects, revealing moisture migration inside the cabin and on the surface layers. The moment when the paint began to yield was more a test of the coating’s adhesion than of the metal’s strength: a brittle shedding occurred, flakes peeling away as if snow had settled and then melted under the heat and water flow. As the painting layer loosened, it loosened in sheets, gradually finishing its retreat as water carried away the loose pigment and clear-coated residue. The sequence highlighted a common automotive phenomenon: protective finishes can degrade under extreme, repeated temperature differentials, even when the underlying body remains structurally intact. (Garage 54, YouTube channel).
Observers noted that the overall chassis seemed unfazed by the direct application of boiling water, but the visual outcome told a different story. The experiment underscored the resilience of the car’s metalwork against thermal shock while also underscoring how a paint system—primer, base coat, and clear coat—can struggle when pushed beyond typical weathering scenarios. In practical terms, a vehicle might survive an unplanned exposure to heated liquid in a cold environment, but the cosmetic layer can suffer before the substrate shows any lasting damage. This distinction is important for enthusiasts and professionals who assess the long-term durability of finishes under aggressive, non-standard conditions. (Garage 54, YouTube channel).
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In a related piece of engagement, viewers are invited to participate in a broader dialogue about automotive novelties. The channel encourages fans to cast votes in the Behind the Wheel Grand Prix to help determine which new cars stand out over the year. As an expression of appreciation for audience involvement, the organizers run a small raffle among survey participants, offering three ferrets as prizes. This promotion is open to everyone who completes the questionnaire by the stated deadline and is part of the ongoing interaction between creators and their followers. (Garage 54, YouTube channel; community update).
Vote – win Lada!
The voting initiative invites readers to weigh in on the most notable car introductions of the year, with the goal of highlighting standout models and features. The process is designed to be straightforward, with a simple questionnaire that takes only a short time to complete. For those who participate early, the chance to win one of several small prizes adds an extra layer of incentive and keeps the conversation lively as new car tech and designs arrive on the scene. (Garage 54, YouTube channel; community update).