Maintaining Exterior Stainless Finish

[Notla]

What will we have to do to maintain the stainless finish? Will washing be enough or will we need to use iron removers, degreasers , and ceramic coatings to make it look great all the time?

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[Baldey]

@CyberGus owns a DeLorean, hopefully he can help Last i heard from him, windex works!

 

[CyberGus]

Look at the stainless in your home: flatware, cookware, kitchen sink, etc. Knowing all the abuse they take without ever using special polishes or ceramic coatings, are you really worried about your truck?

That said, there are some challenges. Fingerprints are quite pronounced when the exterior is clean. No coatings will stick, except maybe oil-based; it will look shiny, collect dust and dirt, and streak wildly when wetted.

Basically: use harsh soap and a scrub brush, and try not to sweat the little stuff.

 

[TheLastStarfighter]

I plan to allow it to get beat to hell. Scars are sexy.

 

[C T Rick]

As a plumber for the last 47 years, the trick that the cleaning crews use when doing their final cleanup and prep before the units go on the market. Lemon oil, Pledge. Makes the stainless shine and also prevents water spots. It does tend to make the stainless a bit darker/ richer look. Works great on SS sinks and drinking fountains.

Rick

 

[davelloydbrown]

Over the last 50 years of car and truck ownership, I have settled into the routine of rust proofing all my vehilces once per year (I live in Canada where they use tons of salt on the road in the winter). To protect the paint, I usually use paste wax on all my vehicles at least twice a year- spring and fall. I am hoping the CT will finally give me a rest from this routine.

 

[Nidavellir]

This kit should be all you need
https://store.delorean.com/a4000100-car-care-kit-w-box.html

 

[MonkeyDeLuffy]

If you have a daughter, use leftovers from her sticker stash, exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think...burglar proof even in SF.

 

[HaulingAss]

@CyberGus owns a DeLorean, hopefully he can help Last i heard from him, windex works!

The Stainless steel used in the Cybertruck has had it's grain structure, density, hardness, tensile strength and ductability (amongst other things) altered by the cold-rolling process so it will not behave like the body panels on a DeLorean (or like the stainless steel on any of your kitchen appliances) because none of those products have been hardened by cold-rolling multiple passes under rollers with many tons of pressure. Cold-rolling can even make some grades of stainless that are non-magnetic, become somewhat magnetic.

 

[DMC-81]

Here's my response to this question from this thread:
https://www.cybertruckownersclub.com/forum/threads/washing-cleaning.287/


I just use a mild detergent and water with a soft microfiber cloth when I need to wash my DeLorean. I dry the panels right away to avoid water spots....this is very important.

Beware of the stainless polishes as they look great... for about 10 minutes. After that the polish attracts dust and then your maintenance efforts are useless.

Once a year or as necessary, I use BarKeepers Friend to remove stains and restore the brightness to the Stainless Steel panels. It's like a laser scrub for the panels. Stainless will develop a thin layer of oxidation. That's normal, and the layer protects the panel. BKF removes that oxidation and therefore leaves virgin stainless behind. Over time, that natural layer of oxidation returns. After many years or exposure to the weather, the stainless develops a dull appearance.

 

[cvalue13]

I dry the panels right away to avoid water spots....this is very important.

this is the one that kind of keeps me awake.

Especially for those of us who plan to park outdoors.

between water spots and fingerprints, I get the feeling I’ll quickly start to want the whole truck covered equally in water spots and fingerprints to at least have a consistent appearance

 

[Notla]

If you have a daughter, use leftovers from her sticker stash, exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think...burglar proof even in SF.

Best answer yet. 🥸

 

[DMC-81]

this is the one that kind of keeps me awake.

Especially for those of us who plan to park outdoors.

between water spots and fingerprints, I get the feeling I’ll quickly start to want the whole truck covered equally in water spots and fingerprints to at least have a consistent appearance

Don't worry. Stainless steel is hardy. Rain water doesn't typically leave spots. If you wash the truck with tap water that leaves spots, this is where you want to dry as quickly as possible, especially in the direct sun.
I'm sure Tesla will provide a guide to maintaining the exterior stainless steel finish.

 

[cvalue13]

If you wash the truck with tap water that leaves spots, this is where you want to dry as quickly as possible, especially in the direct sun.

speaking of, for you and especially @CyberGus (because he lives down the st

Is a SS car’s exterior notably hotter than a painted car, particularly in direct central Texas sun?

Understanding that painted cars get plenty hot themselves, I *believe* auto paint has certain cooling/reflective qualities that minimize heat collection - or at least minimize heat transference when touched.

Anecdotally, at least, my shovel left in the sun seems to get a might hotter to the touch than the hood of my truck.

All that said, any notable difference in body panel temps to the touch?

Curious mostly due to having three little ones that would lick a hot stove if thry could reach it

 

[John K]

Nothing cleans stainless better than urine. Urine works for jelly fish stings, it will work equally well for SS.

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