Musk: Tungsten Carbide Coating may be offered to scratch-proof Cybertruck. Overkill or oustanding?

[Gurule92]

I guess Elon said he might be able to offer it as an option to make the truck scratch proof to anything below diamond. Jerry rig everything scratch test anyone?

"We might be able to offer an optional tungsten carbide coating, which is basically scratch-proof to everything below diamond hardness"​

https://electrek.co/2023/09/14/tesla-cybertruck-coating-scratch-proof-diamonds/

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[Easyejl]

I think the cost would be prohibitive, but i'd try it that's for sure. It's one way we could get colors other than silver

 

[Mini2nut]

It‘s a brilliant idea. Simply prep and spray the preformed SS panels with a super hard tungsten carbide coating. It would make the tough as nails Cybertruck even more resistant to scratches, bird poop etching or vandalism.

Would you be willing to pay $3k, $5k, $7k or $10k for the Armor Shell coating option?

 

[Stuck4ger]

Would you be willing to pay $3k, $5k, $7k or $10k for the Armor Shell coating option?

It‘s a brilliant idea. Simply prep and spray the preformed SS panels with a super hard tungsten carbide coating. It would make the tough as nails Cybertruck even more resistant to scratches, bird poop etching or vandalism.

I’d hate to pay that much just to have it fail the haters’ diamond ring challenge.

 

[LoneWolfO6]

Why not just drop all the Stainless drama and go to aluminum option with the coating?!

 

[Wolfgram]

What? …so it can be as “tough” as a Ford??

 

[kev12345]

Just release the truck already…

 

[ricinro]

I had looked into tungsten carbide coatings for a 304 SS cam application. It was a plasma spray and expensive. Maybe a sputtered coating? Perhaps Elon is just joking.

 

[WormtownKris]

Wouldn't this make touch-ups much more difficult? I get that it may resist more scratches and scuffs, but when you inevitably scrape against something, doesn't this nullify the whole, "just buff it with a Brillo pad" detailing program?

 

[Mini2nut]

https://www.carbinite.com/what-is-c...cCDgJkC0XQI5Gq0c0xu4dnFVyjg92FXRoCqdIQAvD_BwE

 

[HaulingAss]

Why not just drop all the Stainless drama and go to aluminum option with the coating?!

Probably because a shopping cart going walking speed can make ugly dents in aluminum clad trucks.

Did you forget? The memo to those making Cybertruck design decisions said to make the Cybertruck the first truck that is actually tough, not simply one where the manufacturer claims it is tough.

Besides, the thick stainless panels contribute to the high cargo and tow ratings. If the skin was thin aluminum, the stamped portions of the chassis would need a lot more reinforcement to be able to handle 3500 lbs. of cargo and be able to tow 14,000 lbs. without turning into a steel spring. It would require a ground-up re-design if Tesla were to ditch the structural exoskeleton concept.

 

[Regenshire]

I had looked into tungsten carbide coatings for a 304 SS cam application. It was a plasma spray and expensive. Maybe a sputtered coating? Perhaps Elon is just joking.

I am 99% sure this is just Elon humor. I don't think this is something they will really offer.

 

[rjtumble]

https://www.carbinite.com/what-is-carbinite/?_vsrefdom=ppcgoogle&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=tungsten carbide coating&utm_campaign=Carbinite&gclid=CjwKCAjw3oqoBhAjEiwA_UaLth0WjL8_W2NMA5ijKs8T5ScCDgJkC0XQI5Gq0c0xu4dnFVyjg92FXRoCqdIQAvD_BwE

Based on a brief read of their process, I assume this one won’t work on a completed vehicle. Seems like you’re only able to send parts through this process.

I’d personally be interested in something I can apply myself (or have done) after the fact. Probably not as durable, but also way less expensive.

 

[HaulingAss]

Wouldn't this make touch-ups much more difficult? I get that it may resist more scratches and scuffs, but when you inevitably scrape against something, doesn't this nullify the whole, "just buff it with a Brillo pad" detailing program?

Yes, it would.

It would mean it wouldn't get scratched at all in normal, everyday use but, in the event it encountered something hard enough to scratch it, it would not be easily repairable. I think the bare stainless would have a nicer look in most use environments and have the advantage of the "look" being easily customized by the owner simply by chosing which grade of abrasive pad is used to clean and polish it (and also used to buff out any scratches that might happen).

It's hard enough to avoid most damage and soft enough to easily repair any minor damage that does happen and bring back to the original look.

 

[Coolbreeze704]

Why not just drop all the Stainless drama and go to aluminum option with the coating?!

NO THANKS!

SS is one of the big reason I am excited about CT along with many others.

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