Matching Cybertruck Surface Finish When Sanding Out Scratch

[OldDirtyRobot]

people also pointed out here that the manual seems to suggest they don't just use a random orbit sander, but rather a forced orbit sander. That would be very helpful in keeping both light pressure and having a homogenous orbit.

You can see it calls it an orbital sander, which isn't the same thing as random orbital sander. and it also says consistent rotational speed, which is something that a forced orbit sander would provide.

I don't have any firsthand knowledge into the process at the factory, but this does seem to make the most sense.

I did this with a Bosch 6" random orbital sander (GET75-6N) and the exact (very fine) pads Tesla recommends. I tired both modes on the sander (direct-drive and random orbital mode). I followed the process described above. The results were not great. The finish was not uniform. I wrapped the truck so its not an issue for now, but I'm waiting for a good thread describing the process or a third party in Texas who can refinish the truck for me. I've watched the video everyone is posting as well.

The truck had a scratch on the rear bed panel when delivered. I was trying to correct it.

If anyone in the Austin area knows shop who can resurface the truck, I'm interested.

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[Red Beard Ops]

I did this with a Bosch 6" random orbital sander (GET75-6N) and the exact (very fine) pads Tesla recommends. I tired both modes on the sander (direct-drive and random orbital mode). I followed the process described above. The results were not great. The finish was not uniform. I wrapped the truck so its not an issue for now, but I'm waiting for a good thread describing the process or a third party in Texas who can refinish the truck for me. I've watched the video everyone is posting as well.

The truck had a scratch on the rear bed panel when delivered. I was trying to correct it.

If anyone in the Austin area knows shop who can resurface the truck, I'm interested.

Dang that's unfortunate to hear! I'll let you know how mine goes... maybe I'll get lucky with my aftermarket pad selection.

 

[CyberGus]

I got me a scratch/gouge on my rear panel… I was able to get the bulk of it out with some 320 grit sandpaper.

Wouldn't it have been easier to put a matching scratch on the other side? "They're racing stripes"

 

[REM]

It's not doing an entire panel that matters, it's doing all surfaces with the same orientation.

For example, I've refinished my entire truck except for the lower plane above the black plastic rocker panel, the hood and the tailgate. As long as the panels have a different orientation, it doesn't matter if they match exactly, you will never notice it. However, if you do the largest plane of the front door, you will also want to do the same plane on the adjacent door and the adjacent plane on the front and rear quarter panels.

Matching the factory pattern is mostly a matter of the machine and abrasives used. And I wouldn't fret about matching the factory pattern exactly, just work entire planes so there is not an obvious difference.

excellent clarification, thank you.

 

[HaulingAss]

This is such a terrific video - just need to source the right polishing pads

The Festool Vlies pads are very good, just pricey.

 

[Red Beard Ops]

Maybe I'm not as picky, but the 5'' Dewalt orbital and cheap amazon pads worked just fine!

I used some sandpaper and sanding stick by hand to bring the gouges and surrounding area up to about 600 grit.

Then hit it with the red "coarse" pad for a few min, sprayed with alcohol to clean, then hit it with the gray "fine" pad (800grit).

Being shinny and being outside, I'll admit that it's not super easy to see what's going on... so I may need to refine this in different lighting, but it's pretty easy to mess with.

The gouges were deep, so to some degree there isn't any fixing that.

I just wanted to clean up the area and make it less noticeable and this worked! It's really hard to tell in the pics, but these pads blended it pretty nice!

Also... sorry i don't have a proper before pic, but it wasn't pretty

Pads I used - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQPYWTQF?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[HaulingAss]

Maybe I'm not as picky, but the 5'' Dewalt orbital and cheap amazon pads worked just fine!

I used some sandpaper and sanding stick by hand to bring the gouges and surrounding area up to about 600 grit.

Then hit it with the red "coarse" pad for a few min, sprayed with alcohol to clean, then hit it with the gray "fine" pad (800grit).

Being shinny and being outside, I'll admit that it's not super easy to see what's going on... so I may need to refine this in different lighting, but it's pretty easy to mess with.

The gouges were deep, so to some degree there isn't any fixing that.

I just wanted to clean up the area and make it less noticeable and this worked! It's really hard to tell in the pics, but these pads blended it pretty nice!

Also... sorry i don't have a proper before pic, but it wasn't pretty

Pads I used - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQPYWTQF?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Those are deep gouges! I wish you weren't being so protective of the cause of them, so people could understand what it takes to get a gouge that deep in such a hard metal.

That said, those absolutely can be removed 100%. Given the location near the rear, making the panel 1/10th mm thinner will not matter at all. I would suggest a more powerful sanding tool and more aggressive abrasives will reduce the time required. Just feather the sanding around the repair area so you don't create a visible depression.

 

[HaulingAss]

What kind of impact generated the gouges?

 

[Red Beard Ops]

What kind of impact generated the gouges?

 

[HaulingAss]

I'm not sure what you are hiding, we don't already think you are perfect so what's the big deal? Did you back into another vehicle and do a hit and run?

 

[Red Beard Ops]

I'm not sure what you are hiding, we don't already think you are perfect so what's the big deal? Did you back into another vehicle and do a hit and run?

 

[HaulingAss]

OK, in that case I have to go with hit and run.

 

[Red Beard Ops]

OK, in that case I have to go with hit and run.

Sorry you feel like this information is owed to you. It's not. What it is, however... is none of your business.

Since you accused me of being a degenerate and breaking the law... I'll note that this was not the case. No laws were broken with the earning of these gouges, and no other vehicles or property were involved.

 

[StainlessVoyager]

I feel, this process should be simple for an experienced person with right tools. I had a deep scratch on the frunk at delivery and asked tesla to just refinish it. But they said they cant and instead ordered me a new panel.

 

[HaulingAss]

Sorry you feel like this information is owed to you. It's not. What it is, however... is none of your business.

Since you accused me of being a degenerate and breaking the law... I'll note that this was not the case. No laws were broken with the earning of these gouges, and no other vehicles or property were involved.

I was encouraging you to not be so secretive about the cause of the scratches, but at no time did I indicate you owed it to me, LOL!

You can take a chill pill and carry on with the knowledge that no one will be able to use the facts against you, or anyone you know.

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