I am doubtful this is true… are there any other sources?
Honest question, maybe this is silly, but what acid would be unable to eat through a water balloon, but still strong enough to eat through automotive paint?
Chemicals react with different materials differently. I’m not a chemist but there are probably plenty of chemicals that would react with the stainless steel or paint of a tesla but not the rubber in a balloon. Bleach and ammonia off the top of my head would probably mess up the trim pretty good. Doesn’t have to burn holes to do damage.
but what acid would be unable to eat through a water balloon, but still strong enough to eat through automotive paint?
Paint strippers often come in plastic bottles, but destroys the bond between paint and metal.
Also even light acids like vinegar can be enough to etch and damage, but not remove paints - or in the case of the cybertruck, accelerate corrosion on the stainless.
Those plastic bottles that hold diluted acids and alcohols are usually PP (polypropylene) or HDPE (high density polyethylene) or similar plastics that are a lot tougher than thin, flexible plastic bags (LDPE, PET) and I imagine balloons too
Regular DOT3 brake fluid is quite harmful to paint especially if it’s unnoticed and won’t be cleaned off for several hours. You can pump the stuff through rubber brake lines no problem, so I imagine a balloon would be able to survive it.
You’re not really looking for long-term storage, so as long as the material holds up for a few min while you fly around… You may even want it to disolve to destroy evidence and ensure the acid is actually deployed.
Tbh I really hope nobody is flying anything particularly corrosive around in a water balloon, that has far too much potential to do harm to an unlucky randomer.
The Signal group imbeciles were pretty chuffed about an ENTIRE apartment building being collapsed on their single person target. Collateral damage from a bursting balloon seems trivial, by comparison…
You buy most acids, commercially, in plastic bottles… Those bottles would probably split nicely if dropped from a great enough height. Thus, you get impact damage, and the acid would enhance any damage done. Although, now I’m thinking about it, glass bottles would shatter better…Nitric acid, anyone?
Water balloons are pretty weak, something like acetone or xylene could fuck up the paint but would also damage the balloon. Acids are unlikely to do much, they’re both made of plastic polymers.
You could probably fill a water balloon with paint, though. Or epoxy.
I am doubtful this is true… are there any other sources?
Honest question, maybe this is silly, but what acid would be unable to eat through a water balloon, but still strong enough to eat through automotive paint?
Chemicals react with different materials differently. I’m not a chemist but there are probably plenty of chemicals that would react with the stainless steel or paint of a tesla but not the rubber in a balloon. Bleach and ammonia off the top of my head would probably mess up the trim pretty good. Doesn’t have to burn holes to do damage.
Paint strippers often come in plastic bottles, but destroys the bond between paint and metal.
Also even light acids like vinegar can be enough to etch and damage, but not remove paints - or in the case of the cybertruck, accelerate corrosion on the stainless.
Those plastic bottles that hold diluted acids and alcohols are usually PP (polypropylene) or HDPE (high density polyethylene) or similar plastics that are a lot tougher than thin, flexible plastic bags (LDPE, PET) and I imagine balloons too
Brake fluid?
Regular DOT3 brake fluid is quite harmful to paint especially if it’s unnoticed and won’t be cleaned off for several hours. You can pump the stuff through rubber brake lines no problem, so I imagine a balloon would be able to survive it.
Party/water baloons are usually made from latex, which is resistant to some acids but not others.
Another option is to use nitrile or vinyl gloves.
https://glovesbyweb.com/pages/gloves-chemical-resistance-chart
You’re not really looking for long-term storage, so as long as the material holds up for a few min while you fly around… You may even want it to disolve to destroy evidence and ensure the acid is actually deployed.
Tbh I really hope nobody is flying anything particularly corrosive around in a water balloon, that has far too much potential to do harm to an unlucky randomer.
The Signal group imbeciles were pretty chuffed about an ENTIRE apartment building being collapsed on their single person target. Collateral damage from a bursting balloon seems trivial, by comparison…
You buy most acids, commercially, in plastic bottles… Those bottles would probably split nicely if dropped from a great enough height. Thus, you get impact damage, and the acid would enhance any damage done. Although, now I’m thinking about it, glass bottles would shatter better…Nitric acid, anyone?
Water balloons are pretty weak, something like acetone or xylene could fuck up the paint but would also damage the balloon. Acids are unlikely to do much, they’re both made of plastic polymers.
You could probably fill a water balloon with paint, though. Or epoxy.