Don’t put magnets on your CT! Corrosion?

[Maaz]

I had a small magnet on my tail gate for 4 months and it's corroded underneath, not too bad but it's there....bummer. Wonder if stickers do the same??

Flag is a magnet, bike is a sticker...above the flag you can see where I had another magnet and it rusted a bit underneath!

hmm this is in the description for the flag magnets I bought. I wonder if they’ll be fine ?

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[CybertruckCovers]

It is possible that some electrochemical reaction takes place between magnet and steel - with (salty) water this reaction would be a bit faster. This reaction is not likely though, most advertisement magnets don’t have this kind of corrosive materials. More likely is that moisture and road dirt (grit, metal) gets trapped which may cause the corrosion. Regularly removing the magnets and clean them as well as the location on the truck could prevent troubles.

I absolutely agree! The location of the corrosion appears to be most prominent on the bottom of where his magnet was located, which might indicate moisture made its way down there, or somehow road grit was getting in when being sprayed upwards from the wheels below. It also appears that there were air pockets where the worst corrosion took place. Maybe there were small bits of metallic debris of even stones that kept rubbing between the steel and magnetic surface within those small air pockets?

 

[CTInProcess]

That’s impossible, this is the toughest made truck. I think after a wash and buff you’ll be fine…

 

[rudedawg78]

As most of you know,

The good ol' "media" is watching these forums and putting a twist on it...

 

[Outdoors]

There was a guy driving around Whitefish, MT with Camel Trophy magnets on. Why I don't know. I will have to inform him on magnets. Will give me an opportunity to ask him about that last trophy that was awarded about 25 years ago.

 

[cal]

My 91 NSX had an all aluminum body. The steel screws used had a green coating because of the dissimilar metal contact.

 

[CybertruckCovers]

My 91 NSX had an all aluminum body. The steel screws used had a green coating because of the dissimilar metal contact.

I had an 1991 NSX as well. I remember a paintless dent repair specialist telling me that they had to use a special dent removal device only for aluminum cars because if they used the same tool on steel cars, any microscopic mix of steel and aluminum could cause galvanic corrosion to the NSX body.

 

[Garee]

I've got a few bugs hanging out on my Cybertruck...

I have these magnets left over from Halloween and they are not leaving any residue or marks on the truck. They stick pretty good but every once in a while one flies off. Oh well, they are cheap enough.

I don't think their backing is metal, more like some kind of plastic.

I have to change these out for Christmas. We'll see how long they last.

I love it! I have bullet holes on mine

 

[SentinelOne]

hmm this is in the description for the flag magnets I bought. I wonder if they’ll be fine ?

mine was - just showed dirt in the gaps but wiped away - so think it's legit!

 

[Crissa]

hmm this is in the description for the flag magnets I bought. I wonder if they’ll be fine ?

The magnet may not damage the surface, but the magnet will attract salts and ferrous grains which can.

Just make sure to clean the magnets when they get exposed to such. Since they're magnets, it's not such a big problem.

-Crissa

 

[Maaz]

The magnet may not damage the surface, but the magnet will attract salts and ferrous grains which can.

Just make sure to clean the magnets when they get exposed to such. Since they're magnets, it's not such a big problem.

-Crissa

ahhh got it. Thank you for the clarification.

 

[Crissa]

ahhh got it. Thank you for the clarification.

It's no different than salts creating a bubble under a wrap.

Magnets only last a few years on cars, even if you regularly clean them. Inks fade, the polymer will begin to pit. I've even had a couple stolen.

Still, I love them on my car. They're relatively cheap and easy to clean. And when they start pitting, they can find a home on a toolbox or refrigerator.

-Crissa

 

[DJAlan2000]

So, seems the issue is directly related to magnets being on for more than a few weeks...

I guess the lesson learned is NOT 'don't put magnets on your CT', but rather 'Make sure to clean UNDER the magnets on a timely basis, especially in places with lots of rain and dirt'...

Also, I saw a lot of folks saying they are switching to vinyl stickers... Well, beware! If they are cheaply made ones, they too can end up leaving 'ghost' images when finally removed...

 

[carsly]

There is much FUD. I have had two magnets on my truck for four+ months with no corrosion. Will get some pics and post them, maybe I'll even record a video removing them just in case there is a surprise - or not.

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