Discoloration

[Willwillx]

I haven't had my car yet. but i see sometimes these types of pictures. What makes the discoloration like this, and how to stop it

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[AlmostHuman]

Just wash it. Those pictures are from trucks that are not that clean. Also some of what looks like panels are different colors is just reflection of things around the truck.

 

[UberNoob]

Reflection mostly there. I run mine through auto wash, not touchless either. Gets all the prints and whatnot off, just need a shammy quickly after and all spots are gone.

 

[Willwillx]

Reflection mostly there. I run mine through auto wash, not touchless either. Gets all the prints and whatnot off, just need a shammy quickly after and all spots are gone.

Ive seen them on the road, they almost look like the have these drips down the panel and it's usually along the edge of the panel or sometimes in the middle, Id like to run the steel for awhile. but it might drive me crazy if it looks like it has oil slicks in spots heh

 

[AlmostHuman]

Ive seen them on the road, they almost look like the have these drips down the panel and it's usually along the edge of the panel or sometimes in the middle, Id like to run the steel for awhile. but it might drive me crazy if it looks like it has oil slicks in spots heh

In the right light you can see the buffing lines but I’ve noticed mine are getting harder to see over time. Have had it almost a year, lots of washes with microfiber drying. If you get some stains Sprayway ammonia free takes out a ton. If you get something more stubborn (like glue from a service visit) a little Bar Keepers Friend (non abrasive kind) works wonders with a microfiber.

 

[Crissa]

Ive seen them on the road, they almost look like the have these drips down the panel and it's usually along the edge of the panel or sometimes in the middle, Id like to run the steel for awhile. but it might drive me crazy if it looks like it has oil slicks in spots heh

Dust from the road will accumulate in the low pressure zones formed from edges. And then when you stop, condensation drips trails through it.

If you don't like it, wash and dry it. It's not damaging.

-Crissa

 

[Alto]

Ive seen them on the road, they almost look like the have these drips down the panel and it's usually along the edge of the panel or sometimes in the middle, Id like to run the steel for awhile. but it might drive me crazy if it looks like it has oil slicks in spots heh

After a little over a year, I looked at mine the other day and thought it kinda looked like a space capsule after re-entry. Then I put the cover back on to keep the bird droppings from staining it.

 

[ThatGuyBo]

The "fix" for this discoloration is passivation. Citrisurf 77 is what is recommended by Tesla.
Instead of repeating what's been said, here's a great, easy to understand, explanation by RickJ19Zeta8

Barkeepers friend (foam) is oxalic acid. Citrisurf 77 (recommended by Tesla btw) is citric acid. They both work similar, but not identical for the cleaning step before passivation. Passivation as stated by HaulingAss, is the oxidation layer that develops AFTER you clean it.

Oxalic acid will dissolve into solution the surface free iron AND chromium. (very thin layer). And then you will end up with oxidized iron (yellowish brown hue) and chromium oxide (green/blueish hue) during passivation from the remaining surface layer that was clean. BOTH protect the underlying stainless steel, but can over time show up as the more patina yellowing look. And if you let the dissolved iron oxalic acid solution dry on the surface, it will tend to deposit iron oxalates (yellow/brown) which are very difficult to remove later.

Citric acid biases dissolving of the surface free iron /iron oxides and NOT chromium. This effect leaves a very thin layer of chromium, that oxidizes to chromium oxide (green/bluish hue). Nitric acid has the same effect, but you don't want to work with that.

The stainless steel surface treated with citric or nitric acid will have a more uniform silver / blueish green hue that stays that hue longer without yellowing. This is why ASTM976 or other passivation specs call out citric or nitric acid and NOT oxalic acid. And its why you see people complain that the truck yellows / patinas after awhile after they clean it with BKF.

Personally, I did my truck with Citrisurf 77 once. I havent had to touch it again in 6 months other than an occasional wash. I will probably clean it again in spring with Citrisurf to clean off any brake dust / iron fallout if I see any.

https://www.cybertruckownersclub.co...ion-stains-from-road-salt.34349/post-30474942

 

[CyberGus]

Yep, stainless will vary in color slightly over time, and it's mostly unnoticeable unless it's uneven.

1. Wash. Still there?...
2. Passivate. Tesla recommends Citrisurf77, and BKF "More" is similar. Still there?...
3. Use the big guns: BKF liquid, with orbital applicator or ScotchBrite Blue pad.

 

[dalton108]

Yep, stainless will vary in color slightly over time, and it's mostly unnoticeable unless it's uneven.

1. Wash. Still there?...
2. Passivate. Tesla recommends Citrisurf77, and BKF "More" is similar. Still there?...
3. Use the big guns: BKF liquid, with orbital applicator or ScotchBrite Blue pad.

Still there? …

 

[CyberGus]

Still there? …

angle grinder

 

[furbyland]

There seems to be 2 versions, at least on Amazon: 1) CitriSurf 77 Stainless Steel Passivation Cleaner and 2) CitriSurf 77 Plus Stainless Steel Rust Remover and Passivation Cleaner. Does it matter, etc? Differences?

 

[ThatGuyBo]

There seems to be 2 versions, at least on Amazon: 1) CitriSurf 77 Stainless Steel Passivation Cleaner and 2) CitriSurf 77 Plus Stainless Steel Rust Remover and Passivation Cleaner. Does it matter, etc? Differences?

Citrisurf 77 Plus is designed to remove existing rust and passivate, Citrisurf 77 is just for passivation.

 

[M0unt41nm4n]

I haven't had my car yet. but i see sometimes these types of pictures. What makes the discoloration like this, and how to stop it

Dont worry about this. Thats how they patina. I have done all the BKF/Citrisurf stuff. Good for a spring cleaning. It looks bad ass like that.... like your grill. That is the weathered look folks die for on their leather goods. Enjoy it. Because if you fight it... you are gonna be doing a lot of polishing and I would rather be driving.

 

[Willwillx]

In the right light you can see the buffing lines but I’ve noticed mine are getting harder to see over time. Have had it almost a year, lots of washes with microfiber drying. If you get some stains Sprayway ammonia free takes out a ton. If you get something more stubborn (like glue from a service visit) a little Bar Keepers Friend (non abrasive kind) works wonders with a microfiber.

Will stop at lowes or home depot and get some. i have the squeeze bottle kind. I still have the no rinse wash from my model y will that work? I also have

Dont worry about this. Thats how they patina. I have done all the BKF/Citrisurf stuff. Good for a spring cleaning. It looks bad ass like that.... like your grill. That is the weathered look folks die for on their leather goods. Enjoy it. Because if you fight it... you are gonna be doing a lot of polishing and I would rather be driving.

Heh, i just got it this afternoon and I've been fighting it, no matter what i do ... it just comeback .. and i literally drove 12 miles to Costco and home.

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