Bar Keepers Friend changed my Cybertruck's finish!

[gooshjkc]

This is where I saw the procedure.

https://www.everbritecoatings.com/tesla-cybertruck

Don’t have my CB yet, but this is the route I’m thinking of taking when I get it. I like the stainless steel look. Therefore, I don’t want to wrap it.

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[HaulingAss]

From a video I saw, they said that the BKF is like an acid, so you need to neutralize it and they said use windex. Afterwards, they used denatured alcohol to finish. You can always wrap it, if all fails.

I agree, except there should never be any need to wrap it because you messed up. A simple polish with a non-woven abrasive pad of the grit of your choice will expose a new layer of metal.

Barkeeper's Friend should be thought of as something you might use once a year to once every three or five years, depending upon whether you like a bit of patina or want to always maintain a "new" look, to bring back a bright, even finish. Neutralizing it after using it is probably a good idea just to be certain it's been neutralized, but a thorough washing and rinsing with soap and water and a microfiber cloth is also probably sufficient. I would always put something on to protect the finish after stripping it with BF, but it might be as simple as applying a couple coats of wax periodically, say after every 10 washes (not Turtle Wax or any wax with built-in cleaners, LOL!). You want a hard wax that won't interact with the metal.

Those wishing for it to look the same all the time, might use one of the synthetic sealants which will last quite a bit longer than wax but will also need periodic removal (perhaps with barkeeper's Friend) and reapplication, to prevent it from looking a bit dull over time. I like the wax approach because I think it will allow the look of whatever finish you have applied to the metal (based upon the size of grit used and the method of polishing, ie, random orbit, manual linear, etc) to really show through as bare metal. There will be a subtle difference in the metal sheen, between wax and synthetic. To my eye, wax just has more natural, more beautiful, reflective qualities (again, it's very subtle) and will allow a soft, subtle patina to develop while still looking nice.

 

[Amuma]

My Cybertruck was delivered with quite a bit of staining on a lot of the panels. It’s looked to be from rain. I tried a bunch of softer cleaners first to get off the stains. Windex, waterless wash, full soap wash, generic stainless polish, etc.

None of that worked. So I tried some bar keepers friend that many other suggested. I tried it on a small area, and it looked fine. I then tried a door with lots of staining. I let it sit for one minute and then rinsed it off. The first time I applied very lightly and it dulled the stains, but didn’t remove them. The second time I scrubbed just a little more and it completely removed all the stains and created a perfectly uniform panel.

However, The door is now lighter in color and the finish is a bit more dull / less shiny. I don’t love this effect, but it appears I’m going to have to live with it since I already started. I followed the directions, didn’t let it sit too long and didn’t scrub hard. To help others to do this well and decide if this is for them, I would love some advice or feedback from others if they saw this, or if I did something wrong.

Pic: BKF used on rear door only

When using bkf you will have to do none or all. It's literally cleaning the steel to a factory finish.

 

[tmeyer3]

Barkeeper's Friend should be thought of as something you might use once a year to once every three or five years

I agree with this sentiment. I get a little concerned about the Windex recommendations since ammonia reacts with chromium oxide... It looks good because it's stripping the steel every time. To be safe I'd just take it through a no-touch car wash after, then you should be fine to just treat it like any other vehicle exterior for a long while. Stainless steel is SUPPOSED to patina and go a little grey, that means it's working !

 

[KrennPowerSports]

I used the spray on my truck after BAD staining from a tree that dropped its seeds over-night in the rain.... it took it all off fast but left a haze... I used Isopropyl alcohol to clean the residue off and it's MINT looking... takes some time but it cleans it as clean as you can get..

 

[BeFamousVideo]

I also didn’t see anyone saying it was less shiny. So I was a bit surprised. I was really gentle and didn’t want to scrub it to a higher polish. The bottle said to leave it on for 1 minute. Which I followed closely, but it may have been 1:30 before everything was rinsed.

Knowing this is etching the surface. I would not recommend any longer. I will probably scrub a bit more the first time and leave on for less. It is worth noting that I applied this 2 times on that panel because I either didn’t scrub hard enough, or it took more time to get the stains out. So it’s possible that also etched it more.

I am also going to try doing this outside and at the 1 minute mark, rinsing off thoroughly with a hose to neutralize the acid faster. Most videos I have seen involve people wiping it off with a wet rag, but I don’t think that neutralizes it fast enough. Once it’s rinsed off, then polish it.

last thing worth noting is I am using the liquid. (NOT the powder or the spray) that may matter as well.

Take a look at the ProtectaClear instructions as it applies to prepping the truck before the final application. I bought a kit and tested ProtectaClear on my outdoor kitchen for practice as I wait for delivery later this month ( stainless steel cabinets/drawers, BBQ etc.) the results are fantastic. My stainless steel BBQ and other components have never looked this good and the metal feels smooth too. The application method is easy but takes a bit of discipline and patience and the instructions with the kit are quit detailed.

 

[FutureTruck]

Take a look at the ProtectaClear instructions as it applies to prepping the truck before the final application. I bought a kit and tested ProtectaClear on my outdoor kitchen for practice as I wait for delivery later this month ( stainless steel cabinets/drawers, BBQ etc.) the results are fantastic. My stainless steel BBQ and other components have never looked this good and the metal feels smooth too. The application method is easy but takes a bit of discipline and patience and the instructions with the kit are quit detailed.

Can you put that on high temp applications like a BBQ or did you just do the accessories?
Mind sharing a pic, my outdoor kitchen has a ton of SS and housekeeper hates keeping it clean.

 

[BeFamousVideo]

Can you put that on high temp applications like a BBQ or did you just do the accessories?
Mind sharing a pic, my outdoor kitchen has a ton of SS and housekeeper hates keeping it clean.

I've used the BBQ once after ProtectaClear application. No problems with heat yet. I did also apply to drawers, fridge and cabinets too. This stuff works so good I'm going to do this to the fridge and d/w inside too since housekeepers never get it right. I thought it was weird posting BBQ pics to a CT forum but here you go. I mostly wanted to practice with how this product goes on before wiping it on the truck.

 

[Mini2nut]

Looking good! I like your repurposing thinking.

 

[donnyb]

Good point, maybe I need to neutralize faster. Windex is only a PH of 9, so I can't imagine it would neutralize much faster than water.

Anyone know if I could use 100% IPA alcohol instead of denatured? I know they are not the same, but I am wondering if a very strong IPA will do the same thing they expect denatured to do? I ask because I already have a bunch of it.

I have been using 99.9% IPA alcohol in a spray bottle using a 50/50 with distilled water for spot cleaning or waterless wash and it seems to work well. I have moved away from Windex because of the ammonia. I have read ammonia can cause discoloring and/or pitting if left on too long. Sure it's fine if you spray it on a rag and wipe it on and off in a normal amount of time. I have noticed that when the Tesla tech uses gloves the marks seem to be harder to get off.

 

[Gigahorse]

Thanks, a couple thoughts on your advice…

1. I will probably continue with the liquid to get a uniform finish this time. I’d rather have the same look all over than panels that look different.
2. I think if I started over I would start with the spray to see what it does first. The goal is to remove the stains, not change the polish. I will use the spray next time as I don’t want to keep polishing it every time.
3. The truck came with some pretty obvious swirl marks all over from the factory. However, I can’t really see any of swirl marks unless it’s in dim light. I didn’t notice them when I took delivery. I don’t think the abrasive made it any worse. If anything, it made it more uniform than it was. Also, for whatever reason, swirl marks are not bothering me like they would in a shiny paint. The thought “I’m driving a steel tank” makes swirl marks seem more like a feature! ?

If you could post some pictures after you do the whole thing as a comparison that would be awsome!

 

[Art138]

Thanks, this and the other comment are helpful. I was going to put a protectaClear finish on it after I cleaned it up to reduce fingerprints and the need for maintenance. Because of this, I may wait and see how the patina develops and how quickly new stains develop. I do like the matte finish, but I was a bit afraid I wouldn’t have a choice. So knowing it will change over time is good to know.

ProtectaClear will probably lock in the finish, so I would want to see what I’m happy with. Hopefully this post and pictures are helpful to others who are considering the same option. Outdoor picture below.

Is this the Bar Keeper spray you used?

 

[Tanquen]

When using BKF on the sink, dishwasher, fridge and stove, I've just wiped it off with a clean towel and water and I've not seen any swirl marks. Everything seems brighter after not duller. ???

 

[tlc5432]

what is the word on cleaning the hard plastic pieces, like the fender trim and bumpers..... Any solutions to keep them looking good?

 

[Texarado]

Is this the Bar Keeper spray you used?

i can’t speak for OP, but I used BKF “More” spray. I have the same finish as before.

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