Cybertruck spots/corrosion

[HaulingAss]

https://www.tipsbulletin.com/does-stainless-steel-rust/#:~:text=While stainless steel is resistant to most elements, it will rust and corrode under aligning circumstances.

This is pretty jaw dropping. I have two stainless steel tea kettles that I like very much (and I don't even drink tea). After a few years of use on a stovetop, they develop that skanky look as shown in the photo above. But it's not rust, it's splattered cooking oil and fats from frying meat and deep-fried items that then becomes burnt (browned) when the tea kettle is brought to a high temperature using one of the burners.

While I can't swear that the kettle in the photo is not made from an inferior grade of stainless that might rust from acids/salts used in cooking, it looks just like my kettles look if I let them go long enough. And it cleans right off, with minimal time or labor, with hot soapy water and a scotch bright pad. There is no rust, it's highly oxidized oils that have adhered to the surface of the stainless steel in a gum-like layer. The kettles look like new after being cleaned up.

I just found it humorous that this article used this photo in a story about stainless steel corrosion. In any event, the Cybertruck has a stainless alloy that has added chromium to boost corrosion resistance in harsh environments like salt and acidic solutions. It's not going to rust in any kind of road environment I'm familiar with. And I live in a very wet coastal area with salt in the air, a high concentration of oil refineries with coker units and drive on roads using chlorides for ice melting.

I am just dumbfounded by how much credibility people are giving to stories about Cybertrucks rusting. Please familiarize yourself with FUD. The Cybertruck is very threatening to legacy American auto companies, car dealerships and auto repair shops, oil and gas interests, auto parts suppliers and more. And their fear shows up in the form of Cybertruck FUD. Please try to stay rational and grounded!

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[SanJoseNinjya]

So, you bought into the narrative that your SS Cybertruck was going to get rusty body panels?

rust or not? nobody knows, but it will take a lot of labor to maintain shiny SS for sure, just did not want to deal with any exterior issues. now I got no fingerprint, no rain mark, no scratch, and extremely easy to maintain. I am extremely happy with it, and the sponsorship with detailing shop made me happier!

 

[HaulingAss]

rust or not? nobody knows, but it will take a lot of labor to maintain shiny SS for sure, just did not want to deal with any exterior issues. now I got no fingerprint, no rain mark, no scratch, and extremely easy to maintain. I am extremely happy with it, and the sponsorship with detailing shop made me happier!

Yes, we do know. Rain will not cause the stainless body panels to rust. The panels on the Cybertruck have a very high level of corrosion resistance to all the most commonly encountered road contaminates. Periodic simple washing will keep it looking presentable for years. You have to regularly wash wraps too, to keep them looking nice and increase their lifespan. When they start looking ratty, you are worse off than if you had never put one one. Because now the plastic needs to be removed.

I'm not against wraps, I'm just saying they are not without their downsides and that they really don't protect from any permanent damage because the metal surface can be reconditioned to look like new, relatively easily, at any point in the truck's life. The only really compelling reason to wrap is because the owner likes the color or the look the wrap provides.

 

[LDRHAWKE]

Yes, we do know. Rain will not cause the stainless body panels to rust. The panels on the Cybertruck have a very high level of corrosion resistance to all the most commonly encountered road contaminates. Periodic simple washing will keep it looking presentable for years. You have to regularly wash wraps too, to keep them looking nice and increase their lifespan. When they start looking ratty, you are worse off than if you had never put one one. Because now the plastic needs to be removed.

I'm not against wraps, I'm just saying they are not without their downsides and that they really don't protect from any permanent damage because the metal surface can be reconditioned to look like new, relatively easily, at any point in the truck's life. The only really compelling reason to wrap is because the owner likes the color or the look the wrap provides.

ALL metals oxidize…rust. Just because it meets the definition of being called stainless steel because it contains over 11% chromium does not mean there won’t be rust. The chrome oxidizes to make a protective surface. Often getting very dull and flat. It is simply the degree and rate of oxidation and how it looks over time. Based on the experience of new CT owners the stainless on the CT is easily marked up from finger prints, bird poop, dead bugs, etc….and should be cleaned frequently base on the CT manual to keep from becoming more difficult stains to remove, which may require repolishing the whole truck periodically. If you have ever polished a large stainless surface you would not say it is quick and easy. Getting a uniform finish is a bitch.

I understand that an unkept look won’t bother some die hard macho truck owners because it’s a truck and trucks should look like trucks. . Some people like patina too.

Personally I am learning toward a clear flat PPF to keep the stainless look and low maintenance on mine. My preference … not right or wrong.

Some people love patina……..preference.

 

[HaulingAss]

ALL metals oxidize…rust. Just because it meets the definition of being called stainless steel because it contains over 11% chromium does not mean there won’t be rust. The chrome oxidizes to make a protective surface. Often getting very dull and flat. It is simply the degree and rate of oxidation and how it looks over time.

OK, twist around the common meaning of words to try to say the Cybertruck will rust.

I will say it again, the panels on the Cybertruck will never rust in normal useage! Never. Getting a dull finish over time, developing a patina, is not rust! Unless if you want to redefine the common meaning of the word "rust". And it can be brought back to like new condition easier than getting it re-wrapped. About 80 times easier. No comparison really.

And, no, I don't consider myself "macho", I have just never wanted to spend a lot of time polishing my pickup. It sits outside and serves me, not the other way around. Most truck owners I know are like that. Yes, I know some truck owners think their truck is an extension of their masculinity, and if it doesn't look absolutely flawless at all times it will detract from their social standing, but that is delusional.

 

[HaulingAss]

ALL metals oxidize…rust. Just because it meets the definition of being called stainless steel because it contains over 11% chromium does not mean there won’t be rust.

Some people love patina……..preference.

Here's a nice "patina" I found during my Model 3 road trip to Northern Montana in January:

 

[LDRHAWKE]

I

Here's a nice "patina" I found during my Model 3 road trip to Northern Montana in January:

“OK, twist around the common meaning of words to try to say the Cybertruck will rust.

I will say it again, the panels on the Cybertruck will never rust in normal useage! Never”

NEVER SAY NEVER…..???

https://www.researchgate.net/public...hZCIsInByZXZpb3VzUGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIn19

 

[ideaXfactory]

I don't think the stainless should dull much, the protective layer resulting from time passivation is not dull, it is basically clear.

 

[CyberGus]

I


“OK, twist around the common meaning of words to try to say the Cybertruck will rust.

I will say it again, the panels on the Cybertruck will never rust in normal useage! Never”

NEVER SAY NEVER…..???

https://www.researchgate.net/public...hZCIsInByZXZpb3VzUGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIn19

"The Marine Atmosphere of South China Sea" is in no way "normal usage".

 

[BeFamousVideo]

EDIT: Since this post is getting traction from news outlets, I'd like to up front state my finding. I do not believe this is embedded corrosion of the panels, but rather spots from an outside contaminant adhering to the exterior. The spots cannot be removed with soap and water, so the Tesla detail wash that happens before delivery could not have removed these spots. Barkeeper's Friend "Soft" remove the spots easily, and wish a soap+water wash and ammonia-free glass cleaner wipe down, the truck looks amazing and spot free. I further applied 2 coats of Iron Decon, but I saw no indication of remaining iron contamination.

EDIT Continued: I attached 2 more photos below: one with the spots, and one after the Barkeeper's Friend application. If the panels further corrode, we'll see, but for now I'm satisfied that this is not corrosion of the panel.

If you're interested, my truck is available for rental on Turo:

Tesla Cybertruck AWD 2024 rental in Fontana, CA by William D. | Turo

I received my AWD Cybertruck on February 1, 2024. Throughout the LA rain, I noticed the corrosion was forming on the metal like other people have noted, so I decided to start documenting it and bringing it to Tesla's attention. I figured it was already on their radar, but I want it attended to under the warranty. So I made a service appointment for this morning.

The truck was taken to the back and the exterior was washed, just to verify the corrosion was not specks of dirt.

Speaking with someone at the facility, they told me 1) they have a procedure/guidance for how to fix it, but 2) they don't have the tools on hand, nor have they done this repair before. They documented the corrosion, and told me they'll give me a call next month when the tools have arrived and they can perform the service/repair.

The Cybertruck has 381 miles on it, and has spent much of the 11 days in my custody parked in front of my house. Cold weather, rain, and some direct sunlight later, I attached a few photos of the corrosion spots and a video. Seems like it's much more prominent on the top metal that rises above the truck bed moreso than anywhere else, but the spots are definitely everywhere in the metal.

Pardon my gross hands and fading nail polish...

It seems like CT owners need to learn more about stainless steel in order to maintain our $100k outdoor SS refrigerators.
Stainless steel passivating is a process that essentially involves treating the metal to enhance its natural corrosion resistance. The primary goal here is to remove any free iron from the surface of the stainless steel, leaving behind a surface layer that is rich in chromium. This chromium-rich layer is incredibly resistant to rust and corrosion, which is why stainless steel is such a popular material for applications where durability and longevity are key.

Citric acid works by cleaning the surface of the stainless steel, removing contaminants and free iron without harming the chromium. This process not only cleans the steel but also helps to promote the formation of a passive oxide layer that protects the metal from corrosion.

The use of citric acid for passivating stainless steel is particularly appealing for a few reasons. It's non-toxic, biodegradable, and doesn't require the handling and disposal precautions associated with more traditional passivating agents like nitric acid. This makes it a great choice for ensuring stainless steel components are properly protected against corrosion.

 

[LDRHAWKE]

There are several ways to correct and stop corrosion, whether it be BarTenders Friend, wet dry sanding, clear coating, or acid passivation……the real problem is the elbow grease required to getting to look good and uniform on the CT and the frequency it will be required.

Right now I am still favoring clear PPF. The good quality stuff is said to last 8 to 10 years. I like the stainless look. I may even try putting it on myself with all the easier to cover flat panels.

 

[SanJoseNinjya]

Yes, we do know.

No, we do not know, thats why we keep doing this discussion forever. also remember the broken window by steel balls at the event 4 years ago? they should have had a full confidence with that action and result in front of huge crowd, but failed... this means a lot to me. obviously they did not do the same test beforehand, probably they did something similar and thought its OK. same thing for rust, they might did some acceleration test and thought its ok, but nobody knows what is going to happen in the wild in a long run.

 

[CyberGus]

obviously they did not do the same test beforehand

 

[LDRHAWKE]

I’ll repeat…NEVER SAY NEVER…..???

Follow the Science as all the Climate Fear Mongers say……worse case scenario!

https://www.researchgate.net/public...hZCIsInByZXZpb3VzUGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIn19

 

[HaulingAss]

“OK, twist around the common meaning of words to try to say the Cybertruck will rust.

I will say it again, the panels on the Cybertruck will never rust in normal useage! Never”

NEVER SAY NEVER…..???

https://www.researchgate.net/public...hZCIsInByZXZpb3VzUGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIn19

You are propogating a false narrative. We already have confirmation from one of the lead engineers on the Cybertruck that Cybertruck uses an alloy that has a higher corroision reseistance rating than 316 marine grade stainless. And the study you cite had to go to the conditions found in the South China Sea.

I'll say it again, in normal road use, the panels on the Cybertruck will NEVER rust!

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