Bar Keepers Friend stains on bumper

[wheeler]

So I cleaned my CT 2 days after delivery, with Bar Keepers Friend and Windex, following the instruction from Coleton on Out of Spec Detailing. Basically, It is wet sanding the panels with BKF using the softer side of Scotch Brite, then wiping off the muddy sanding dust with Scott Shop Towels and microfiber towels that wetted by Windex. I used about a half bottle of BKF and almost 1 bottle of Windex for the whole CT. When most of the dust are wiped off, It is better to switch to microfiber towel, and make sure it is wet enough to leave the panel wet after wiping, then let it dry by itself for the best result, as Coleton mentioned. (Many thanks to Coleton!)

In the photo below, the right panel was almost done. The left ones showed how a new CT looked like after 2 days of commuting.

And I did not fully cleaned the BKF that dripped on bumpers. 4 days later I found they became white stains, which can not be removed by Windex. I have no idea what to do next other than just leave them. See photos below.

BTW, it is safe to left bird poops stay on panel for a day or two. Photos below show it can be fully removed with water. Stainless steel IS tough XD

Sponsored

 

[Guylouis]

Eek. Making me second guess using the barkeepers friend

 

[CybertruckRN1127]

The bird dropping and washing in the Cybertruck manual is a copy and paste from Model 3, S, and X manual. Bird dropping will stain painted cars. Not sure why everyone made a huge deal when it was also pasted in the Cybertruck manual. Glad it doesn't stain the SS like it would have on a painted car.

As for the bumper. Get a rubberized sticky tape and cover it. Tesla sales precut stickers. Just buy bigger one and trim yourself to cover the whole area.

 

[HaulingAss]

The bird dropping and washing in the Cybertruck manual is a copy and paste from Model 3, S, and X manual. Bird dropping will stain painted cars. Not sure why everyone made a huge deal when it was also pasted in the Cybertruck manual. Glad it doesn't stain the SS like it would have on a painted car.

As for the bumper. Get a rubberized sticky tape and cover it. Tesla sales precut stickers. Just buy bigger one and trim yourself to cover the whole area.

I would only use Barkeeper's Friend as a last resort for tough stains. It strips the protective coating that forms on SS, requiring that it re-establish itself. If BKF was required for a tough stain, I would probably wash it off with mild soap and water, in which case it probably wouldn't harm the plastic trim unless it were applied directly, or not cleaned up afterwords.

The stainless steel will be very durable and low care, I'm surprised some people think it's fragile or high maintenance.

 

[Crissa]

Eek. Making me second guess using the barkeepers friend

Yeah, just make sure it doesn't sit on the plastic, that's all. That's why everyone says to wipe it on with a cloth - you want to control where it goes, and keep it dilute so it washes off and doesn't stain parts that are sensitive to it.

Kinda weird the plastic is sensitive, but we've seen it already.

-Crissa

 

[Kahpernicus]

Bar keepers is organic acid and instructions say to rinse off with water.
Try one of those renewing products for plastics that have been in the sun for years

 

[Gigahorse]

So I cleaned my CT 2 days after delivery, with Bar Keepers Friend and Windex, following the instruction from Coleton on Out of Spec Detailing. Basically, It is wet sanding the panels with BKF using the softer side of Scotch Brite, then wiping off the muddy sanding dust with Scott Shop Towels and microfiber towels that wetted by Windex. I used about a half bottle of BKF and almost 1 bottle of Windex for the whole CT. When most of the dust are wiped off, It is better to switch to microfiber towel, and make sure it is wet enough to leave the panel wet after wiping, then let it dry by itself for the best result, as Coleton mentioned. (Many thanks to Coleton!)

In the photo below, the right panel was almost done. The left ones showed how a new CT looked like after 2 days of commuting.

And I did not fully cleaned the BKF that dripped on bumpers. 4 days later I found they became white stains, which can not be removed by Windex. I have no idea what to do next other than just leave them. See photos below.

BTW, it is safe to left bird poops stay on panel for a day or two. Photos below show it can be fully removed with water. Stainless steel IS tough XD

Ouch that black plastic looks rough, any idea how long it sat on there to get that result?

 

[Amuma]

I perform a full ph neutral soap wash after using bkf not just wiping it off with a dry towel. Windex not needed

 

[agordon117]

I perform a full ph neutral soap wash after using bkf not just wiping it off with a dry towel. Windex not needed

And you have no staining on your trim?

 

[CTInProcess]

Try this

 

[Amuma]

And you have no staining on your trim?

I make sure to wash fully. Also ceramic on the trim. But no stains as of yet

 

[wheeler]

Ouch that black plastic looks rough, any idea how long it sat on there to get that result?

less than 4 days

 

[Gigahorse]

less than 4 days

Oh so the BKF was on there for a couple days maybe? This is the first I have seen of that, def not a good look, hopefully it comes off.

 

[wheeler]

Try this

This works great. A little darker than the original color, but I'm too lazy to cover the whole bumper.

 

[Cybertruck 1974]

I used very little of BKF on a rag, lightly rubbed in then hosed it off as instructed on bottle then used a second towel to dry surface. I did 1 whole side at a time and within 1 minute hosed it off. less than 10 minutes to do the whole truck is all. Worked brilliantly!! On the plastic I used Maguires Plastic restorer. Just look at that mirror finish!!!

Sponsored