Franz’s Stainless Steel Finish Ain’t No Off The Press Finish

[anionic1]

It was heavily debated many times how the CT would be finished at the factory. There were opinions all over the place. Some said it would be brushed. Some said it would be cleaned but raw. Some said it would be polished and many argued that they would do the bare minimum to keep the cost down. Well, IMO from the latest sighting it looks like they have mastered a really nice polish, which actually should be the easiest to maintain if we know the grit level and process they used.

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[WHIZZARD OF OZ]

It was heavily debated many times how the CT would be finished at the factory. There were opinions all over the place. Some said it would be brushed. Some said it would be cleaned but raw. Some said it would be polished and many argued that they would do the bare minimum to keep the cost down. Well, IMO from the latest sighting it looks like they have mastered a really nice polish, which actually should be the easiest to maintain if we know the grit level and process they used.

Great photo!
I'm keepin' the mirror!
( Goes well with 'that' finish )

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

Didn’t Franz say in the Petersen interview that they (Tesla) were going to have a special finish and that it would be easy to maintain? Or did I dream that?

 

[Kahpernicus]

HDR are liars.

 

[anionic1]

Didn’t Franz say in the Petersen interview that they (Tesla) were going to have a special finish and that it would be easy to maintain? Or did I dream that?

I didn’t see that interview. But I have done some metal polishing and I would think if we get a light scratch it wouldn’t be too hard to buff it out if there is a factory applied polish/grit level. With how hard stainless is, it would be tough to do that initial polish the whole vehicle at home. So it’s really great that they are doing it. Similar to how people polish their airstreams, but aluminum would be easier to polish in my opinion as the metal is softer.

 

[CyberGus]

It was heavily debated many times how the CT would be finished at the factory. There were opinions all over the place. Some said it would be brushed. Some said it would be cleaned but raw. Some said it would be polished and many argued that they would do the bare minimum to keep the cost down. Well, IMO from the latest sighting it looks like they have mastered a really nice polish, which actually should be the easiest to maintain if we know the grit level and process they used.

Rolled steel will take on the texture of the rollers; polished rollers will produce polished steel (albeit in matte).

Note also that photography can make reflective surfaces appear almost mirror-like, even though they are just sorta "shiny" in person.

I wouldn't put much stock into a prototype appearance, since I'm sure they're experimenting with different finishing techniques. I'm sure they'll go with whatever is fastest/cheapest.

 

[Flaskman]

I will have Windex and a soft towel on board at all times. Bye bye finger prints.

 

[damnitjim]

I didn’t see that interview. But I have done some metal polishing and I would think if we get a light scratch it wouldn’t be too hard to buff it out if there is a factory applied polish/grit level. With how hard stainless is, it would be tough to do that initial polish the whole vehicle at home. So it’s really great that they are doing it. Similar to how people polish their airstreams, but aluminum would be easier to polish in my opinion as the metal is softer.

Dude my fridge gets a drop of water on it and I have to re-polish the whole damn thing.

 

[Kahpernicus]

Dude my fridge gets a drop of water on it and I have to re-polish the whole damn thing.

I grabbed some ice and now there's a dent on it.

 

[firsttruck]

I grabbed some ice and now there's a dent on it.

Cybertruck exterior is supposed to be 3mm of cold-rolled (hardened) 30x stainless steel plates not like your fridge that is probably covered in .2mm soft stainless steel foil.

 

[anionic1]

I grabbed some ice and now there's a dent on it.

I kid you not. I bought a nice brand new black stainless frig and on my birthday a week after buying the frig I go to open it and see a basketball size array of scratches so I ask my kids and my youngest thought it would be fun to draw on it with my wife’s earring. Fortunately the CT will be tougher than that.

 

[anionic1]

Great photo!
I'm keepin' the mirror!
( Goes well with 'that' finish )

I think people trying to remove a side view mirror are asking for trouble. The resolution of a human eye is 576 megapixels. The resolution of a Tesla car camera is 1.2 megapixels. The eye is almost 500x better. If you ever study traffic engineering it’s all about reaction time. And better resolution equals better reaction time hands down without debate. My mirrors are staying even though I think the cute triangle shape actually takes away from the geometrical strength of the truck. I bet they were trying to reduce drag and be fancy and I get that.

 

[anionic1]

I will have Windex and a soft towel on board at all times. Bye bye finger prints.

That will probably do the trick. I work around my truck a lot. I think I may do a clear protective wrap early on just in case. I worry my belt buckle or a tool box or electric cord might hit it and scratch it. Since it’s polished and scratch will stand out

 

[cvalue13]

HDR are liars.

Pretty clearly an HDR photo

the video is probably a better indication of actual appearance

 

[PilotPete]

I think people trying to remove a side view mirror are asking for trouble. The resolution of a human eye is 576 megapixels. The resolution of a Tesla car camera is 1.2 megapixels. The eye is almost 500x better.

If I recall correctly, HW4 has 5.X megapixel cameras. Your point is still very valid.

It makes me laugh when I go to a concert or event. People watch the whole thing through their phone. C’mon people, real life is in UHD!

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