Cybertruck spots/corrosion

[vertigo3pc]

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...

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[DumpsterFire]

I’m know I’m a weirdo but I actually kinda like the corrosion and hopefully the associated patina that will come with it.

that being said, I’m also not a guy who has ever frequently washed his trucks before.

I’m all about rallying the shit outta them.

I’m sure I’m in the minority here.

EDIT: PS. Your hands are beautiful. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise!! ?

 

[vertigo3pc]

I’m know I’m a weirdo but I actually kinda like the corrosion and hopefully the associated patina that will come with it.

that being said, I’m also not a guy who has ever frequently washed his trucks before.

I’m all about rallying the shit outta them.

I’m sure I’m in the minority here.

That's fine, I think owners should have the opportunity to choose the aesthetics of their car within the confines of what they deliver (body shape).

 

[agordon117]

Following. This is definitely the worst we've seen so far. Nobody can know for sure (in either direction) but that's a lot to assume that it's rail dust.

I wonder if at some point in the manufacturing process, ferrous material is getting embedded in the surface of the panel (contaminated panel finisher maybe?), and their guidance of how to fix it is to sand the panel down with the right tool to match factory finish and remove the contaminants.

 

[vertigo3pc]

Following. This is definitely the worst we've seen so far. Nobody can know for sure (in either direction) but that's a lot to assume that it's rail dust.

I wonder if at some point in the manufacturing process, ferrous material is getting embedded in the surface of the panel (contaminated panel finisher maybe?), and their guidance of how to fix it is to sand the panel down with the right tool to match factory finish and remove the contaminants.

That doesn't seem like a long term solution for Tesla: every 11 days, advise owner to sand down exterior? I have to believe there's a finish that they're going to be compelled to apply, but right now it seems like they have a plan.

 

[agordon117]

That doesn't seem like a long term solution for Tesla: every 11 days, advise owner to sand down exterior? I have to believe there's a finish that they're going to be compelled to apply, but right now it seems like they have a plan.

No, my theory is that particles which are not stainless steel are embedded into the surface at some point during production. Someone here mentioned a Delorean owner who refinished their panels with steel wool, and had horrible rust from embedded particles in the stainless (because steel wool itself is not stainless).

And, if I'm right, they are thinking that re-sanding the panel (or whole truck) one time will be enough to remove those contaminants. Even if they have to do a multi step process to ensure they aren't just moving the contaminants around.


If it was just the HFS itself rusting I would expect some uniformity to it, larger spots of it, something like that.

 

[vertigo3pc]

No, my theory is that particles which are not stainless steel are embedded into the surface at some point during production. Someone here mentioned a Delorean owner who refinished their panels with steel wool, and had horrible rust from embedded particles in the stainless (because steel wool itself is not stainless).

And, if I'm right, they are thinking that re-sanding the panel (or whole truck) one time will be enough to remove those contaminants. Even if they have to do a multi step process to ensure they aren't just moving the contaminants around.

If it was just the HFS itself rusting I would expect some uniformity to it, larger spots of it, something like that.

Interesting! I don't know much about metal and corrosion, thank you for that info!

 

[agordon117]

Interesting! I don't know much about metal and corrosion, thank you for that info!

Would you be willing to use barkeeper's friend on a small section to remove the rust, and see if it returns in the interim? If it returns, that pretty much rules out rail dust.

 

[vertigo3pc]

I don't want to do too much that makes Tesla hesitant to service the vehicle, especially with a service appointment scheduled and their "plan" ready to go.

 

[agordon117]

I don't want to do too much that makes Tesla hesitant to service the vehicle, especially with a service appointment scheduled and their "plan" ready to go.

They shouldn't really know the difference, or if they did they shouldn't care. They have to refinish the entire thing anyway. And for all we know, their plan is to just do barkeeper's friend to restore it back to factory new.

You don't have to do the whole truck or even a whole panel. Just a couple of inch section where you know there are rust marks to remove them, and then see if they return in the month between now and your service appointment. If they don't, the good news is that the contaminants are likely not embedded in the stainless.

 

[vertigo3pc]

They shouldn't really know the difference, or if they did they shouldn't care. They have to refinish the entire thing anyway. And for all we know, their plan is to just do barkeeper's friend to restore it back to factory new.

You don't have to do the whole truck or even a whole panel. Just a couple of inch section where you know there are rust marks to remove them, and then see if they return in the month between now and your service appointment. If they don't, the good news is that the contaminants are likely not embedded in the stainless.

Hmm, I'll give it some thought.

 

[agordon117]

Hmm, I'll give it some thought.

I'm sure many of us would be more than willing to walk you through the process if you need help.

Not for nothing, it would go a long way to understanding these issues. Once you take it back to tesla and walk away from it, if it comes back with no further issues, we will have no better insight into what is causing this than we do today. But, if you do the barkeeper's friend in even a small section, it will tell us fairly definitively:

1: If the spots DO NOT return under the same conditions, they likely were caused by contamination on top of the surface

-OR-

2: If the spots DO return under the same conditions, they likely were caused by contamination embedded in the surface.

 

[CyberGus]

I saw rust forming inside my stainless kettle after leaving it wet for a few days, but only around the screws attached to the handle. The screws were rusting, not the stainless.

ScotchBrite pad took it right off.

The "corrosion" shown above is certainly a foreign contaminant that has tarnished the stainless surface. I'm betting BKF and a Q-tip will take one of those spots right off, or maybe even just vinegar.

I often use ScotchBrite pads on the DeLorean, but I can follow the existing horizontal grain; I'm not sure how it would affect the look/texture of the Cybertruck finish, which seems to be a finer random circular pattern.

 

[agordon117]

I saw rust forming inside my stainless kettle after leaving it wet for a few days, but only around the screws attached to the handle. The screws were rusting, not the stainless.

ScotchBrite pad took it right off.

The "corrosion" shown above is certainly a foreign contaminant that has tarnished the stainless surface. I'm betting BKF and a Q-tip will take one of those spots right off, or maybe even just vinegar.

I often use ScotchBrite pads on the DeLorean, but I can follow the existing horizontal grain; I'm not sure how it would affect the look/texture of the Cybertruck finish, which seems to be a finer random circular pattern.

Yeah, I was going to recommend OP take a photo of an area, BKF a 2" square section to remove the rust marks, and then compare to the original photo if they come back. If they don't, the issue is gone and it was just something sitting on the surface and rusting. If they do, possible embedded contaminants.

I'm certain the BKF will remove the spots, the only important question is, do they come back.

I'm guessing the service centers are being sent a tool that replicates the random circular pattern, which is how some of them have been able to take out scratches, and possibly how this service center believes they can fix this issue.

 

[vertigo3pc]

Iron Decon didn't work as quickly, but the BKF took the contaminants right off. I did a whole panel just to illustrate. Attached are before and after pics (I tested on a small part on the other side, worked well, so I went for the whole panel on the other side of the car).

Pardon the streaks.

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