Cybertruck spots/corrosion

[Glenn]

I'm about to go try Chemical Guys Iron Decon spray where I cleaned already, to see if it pulls additional corrosion that I can't see.

I wounder what citric acid would do, it can passivate some stainless steels Anything you try, try it on a small spot and wait a day or 2 If it's the good SS with hi chrome content then use nitric acid. Citric acid is a good one to try. I will not get my truck anytime soon to try it on. I am 11304 next year maybe. They need to passivate the surface to stop the rusting if that's is what it is, Don't know for sure. Just a thought.

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[Glenn]

Not practical to use any nitric acid on it because, besides being pretty dangerous to work with, it could cause damage to any trim it came in contact with, of even etch the glass. A citric acid spray and soak is something that may work and not damage anything else it touches. Citric works exponentially better when it's hot, but cold citric can be used. A 4-10% Citric Acid solution can be effective... addition of a wetting agent may help.

Yes, I like the citric way more than Nitric, agree with the warmer solution; I just wanted to show a few possibilities. Most people can not get their hands on Nitric acid; I see and use these chemicals often. I just feel there might be something here that we might need to address. I do not know for sure, just guessing at this point. If it really is the problem. Where I worked a while back we did a large amount of SS passivating.

 

[ED_SFO]

Maybe Tesla needs to move to a 31X stainless to have it more corrosion resistant to the elements... obviously this will be way more expensive to make, but can't have customers scrubbing their trucks every other day.

 

[Bartman]

Yes, I like the citric way more than Nitric, agree with the warmer solution; I just wanted to show a few possibilities. Most people can not get their hands on Nitric acid; I see and use these chemicals often. I just feel there might be something here that we might need to address. I do not know for sure, just guessing at this point. If it really is the problem. Where I worked a while back we did a large amount of SS passivating.

They sell brand name stuff that you can use, but you can make your own.

https://www.theruststore.com/CitriS...term=4580428016516728&utm_content=Ad group #1


https://www.theruststore.com/CitriS...term=4580428016516727&utm_content=Ad group #1

 

[Glenn]

They sell brand name stuff that you can use, but you can make your own.

https://www.theruststore.com/CitriSurf-2210-Spray-Gel-P331.aspx?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Rust - Shopping1&utm_term=4580428016516728&utm_content=Ad group #1


https://www.theruststore.com/CitriSurf-77-Plus-22-oz-Bottle-P137.aspx?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Rust - Shopping1&utm_term=4580428016516727&utm_content=Ad group #1

Nice !!! thanks.

 

[Cyber Man]

Cleaned it off with denatured alcohol, looks great now that it's dried out a bit.

I'll keep an eye on it overnight.

I’m glad it’s gone. So is it truly a corrosion or just some stain/debris? If it’s not a corrosion, please update the thread title. News outlets are picking this topic all over the place to put CT in a bad spot.

I’ll be surprised if Tesla didn’t think of rust/corrosion. It’s probably the first thing they would have tested, but it hurts to get a brand new truck with these spots. I wouldn’t have taken the delivery till this was resolved.

 

[Glenn]

They sell brand name stuff that you can use, but you can make your own.

https://www.theruststore.com/CitriSurf-2210-Spray-Gel-P331.aspx?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Rust - Shopping1&utm_term=4580428016516728&utm_content=Ad group #1


https://www.theruststore.com/CitriSurf-77-Plus-22-oz-Bottle-P137.aspx?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Rust - Shopping1&utm_term=4580428016516727&utm_content=Ad group #1

I just ordered some. I want to try it out on some SS I have at the shop. It would be easier for all the others on here who do not want to make it. Thanks for the info, I will pass it on.

 

[agordon117]

I’m glad it’s gone. So is it truly a corrosion or just some stain/debris? If it’s not a corrosion, please update the thread title. News outlets are picking this topic all over the place to put CT in a bad spot.

I’ll be surprised if Tesla didn’t think of rust/corrosion. It’s probably the first thing they would have tested, but it hurts to get a brand new truck with these spots. I wouldn’t have taken the delivery till this was resolved.

We don't know. Until some time has elapsed, it's impossible to know if the spots will return.
Also, the truck wasn't delivered with the spots if I understand correctly. They appeared after a few days sitting in the rain.

 

[Bartman]

They sell brand name stuff that you can use, but you can make your own.

https://www.theruststore.com/CitriSurf-2210-Spray-Gel-P331.aspx?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Rust - Shopping1&utm_term=4580428016516728&utm_content=Ad group #1


https://www.theruststore.com/CitriSurf-77-Plus-22-oz-Bottle-P137.aspx?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Rust - Shopping1&utm_term=4580428016516727&utm_content=Ad group #1

Nice !!! thanks.

A 5-10% lukewarm citric solution can be effective and you may want to add a wetting agent (soap) to make it have better contact. ASTM A967 can provide guidance.

 

[Glenn]

A 5-10% lukewarm citric solution can be effective and you may want to add a wetting agent (soap) to make it have better contact. ASTM A967 can provide guidance.

Sounds like someone else has chemistry, plating and or quality control in their life

 

[Bartman]

Sounds like someone else has chemistry, plating and or quality control in their life

I own a company that does industrial chemical cleaning and we do sometimes passivate stainless parts with citric acid. We also sometimes have to "Pickle" CRES piping for the Navy, where we have to use a hot nitric/hydrofluoric acid solution, because that's their requirement.

 

[Glenn]

I own a company that does industrial chemical cleaning and we do sometimes passivate stainless parts with citric acid. We also sometimes have to "Pickle" CRES piping for the Navy, where we have to use a hot nitric/hydrofluoric acid solution, because that's their requirement.

Nice, hope you are doing well. My company, we electroplate diamond on different products, like burrs, we also make our own diamond pads we cut to into disc for grinding. Most people do not know the things we speak of I never like hydrofluoric, you must respect it.

 

[nmeabrian]

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...

THAT LOOKS LIKE OLD WELDING SPATTER, ARE YOU SURE NO ONE HAS BEEN WELDING NEAR YOUR CT

 

[Crissa]

According to the MSDS data sheet, IronX contains:

• ammonium mercaptoacetate
• Alcohols, C10-16, ethoxylated, sulfates, sodium salts
• piperonal

Seems OK for the non-metallic surfaces, but "ammonium" sounds bad for stainless steel.

I'd have thought it was soap but... This says it's an acid?
https://www.chemos.de/import/data/msds/GB_en/5421-46-5-A0246032-GB-en.pdf

-Crissa

 

[ideaXfactory]

I'd have thought it was soap but... This says it's an acid?
https://www.chemos.de/import/data/msds/GB_en/5421-46-5-A0246032-GB-en.pdf

-Crissa

I must of missed something, why would this be used? Doesn't look good.

And about Nitric Acid, yes it works to passivate stainless. Not sure that the Cybertruck needs to be passivated though...

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