HaulingAss

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I wish Tesla would manufacture the Cybertruck in the #4 finish instead of the 2B. It would give the SS a much better appearance. If you placed two Cybertruck side my side, one in #4 and the other in 2B, I feel the vast majority of buyers would choose the #4 stainless finish.
You could probably achieve a very similar look by just giving the surface a quick sand with 400 grit wet/dry. Then, if it got messed up, just hit it again with the sandpaper. You could even lightly polish selective edges and corners to give it that timeless 'hand-rubbed' look, like an old genie lamp that had been handed down through the generations.

The customization options are endless. You could do the entire truck in round swirls using a drill motor and a soft pad with abrasives. Or go geometric by using scotchbrite or fine wet/dry sandpaper in straight lines on different portions of the truck. By masking with regular painters tape you could keep the transitions sharp and linear.
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HaulingAss

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If you get keyed, just run the truck down some really tight forest roads, a good run through thick brush will buff those marks right off. If it doesn't work the first time, just repeat a few times at increasingly higher speeds.
And make sure you get it good and muddy first so you can get the fine abrasives in the mud working for you.
 

Ogre

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You could probably achieve a very similar look by just giving the surface a quick sand with 400 grit wet/dry. Then, if it got messed up, just hit it again with the sandpaper. You could even lightly polish selective edges and corners to give it that timeless 'hand-rubbed' look, like an old genie lamp that had been handed down through the generations.

The customization options are endless. You could do the entire truck in round swirls using a drill motor and a soft pad with abrasives. Or go geometric by using scotchbrite or fine wet/dry sandpaper in straight lines on different portions of the truck. By masking with regular painters tape you could keep the transitions sharp and linear.
You are far more patient than I am.

I will say I was considering doing designs on the hood and or doors by masking portions and sanding it. My thought was using a sand blaster, but I think using sandpaper might work better and less risk of incidental damage.
 
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OneLapper

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I am skeptical that manually brushing will look right. I work for a big general contractor and I have come across a couple situations where we need to brush stainless to get a certain finish and our steel subs always say it has to be done by specialized machinery to get it to look right. And they won’t attempt it in the field. I think if you want a good DIY option you should aim for sanding it or a really rough polish.
I've been working with a company that makes SS brushing equipment that is used on stainless steel sheets. I hate to say but it's not looking good.
 

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I've been working with a company that makes SS brushing equipment that is used on stainless steel sheets. I hate to say but it's not looking good.
Might just have to embrace the grunge look?
Honestly, I'm not sure brushed finish would look right even if the sheets were done right. It would be difficult to get those lines to match up nicely in the creation of the truck. And brushing it after being assembled would be a nightmare.
 


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The DeLorean panels were all brushed by hand at the factory (using a flap-sander).

You could certainly do this to the whole CyberTruck. You would want to remove or mask parts that should not be treated. It requires specialized tools, but you can probably just make friends with a DeLorean owner lol. I'd say it's about 1 beer per panel, so you could do it in a weekend.

Again, I invite you to examine your kitchen sink. The drying-rack side still has the original 2B finish, and the heavily-used side will have a random-brushed finish after a few years.

If the CT is delivered as matte 2B, then the brushed finish will develop over time to give your truck a unique appearance, like a fingerprint. How else are you going find yours in the parking lot when they become commonplace?
 

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I work in the defense industry making hardware for the military customer. Any finish of stainless steel typically gets a passivation treatment to remove any stray iron particles (via acid or something else). This is true for naval vessel exposed surfaces as well.

ASTM A380 is the standard practice for passivation treatments using chemistry. Assuming one can copy that at home, then attack the surface at will. Until then I wouldn't mess with it.....
 

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I'm guessing Tesla will get the steel roll from SpaceX, quick automated visual check before cutting out the pieces, shape it, weld it up, do a chem dip (or not) and that's it. #bestprocessisnoprocess
Probably some language in purchase agreement regarding no warranty about surface finish.

Anyone have a guess how difficult it will be to scratch a dick-pic into hardened stainless? How easy to remove said scratches with scotch Brite?

After reading this thread again, I am now a little concerned about the inevitable scratched-in *insert offensive pic here* in our future. #scotchbriteinthesailpillar
 

anionic1

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So I just thought of something that would be pretty cool. I haven't seen anyone post it yet. What if Tesla offered some of the CTs in a sealed Corten finish. I suppose someone probably makes a wrap that looks like Corten. Its a pretty popular finish still and I see building cladding in Corten still being installed here in LA. Literally they could just swap out the stainless rolls in the manufacturing with Corten steel rolls. Seems like it wouldn't be too tough to change up the assembly line. I have read that the accelerated patina process and sealing is straight forward. Talk about scratch resistant. Scratches would add to the patina. and forget about washing it. just hose it off and you would never see the water spots. The savings in steel cost may actually offset the cost to seal it. Anyway, its obviously a very distinct look that's not for everyone, but so is the CT. Many probably don't know of this steel, but somehow it is actually resistant to corrosion and the rust layer acts as a protective layer. I included a link below.

here is a link

Tesla Cybertruck This may be Cybertruck's 2B stainless steel. Updated Scratch and Sniff* test. 1629160040797
 

Throwcomputer

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So I just thought of something that would be pretty cool. I haven't seen anyone post it yet. What if Tesla offered some of the CTs in a sealed Corten finish. I suppose someone probably makes a wrap that looks like Corten. Its a pretty popular finish still and I see building cladding in Corten still being installed here in LA. Literally they could just swap out the stainless rolls in the manufacturing with Corten steel rolls. Seems like it wouldn't be too tough to change up the assembly line. I have read that the accelerated patina process and sealing is straight forward. Talk about scratch resistant. Scratches would add to the patina. and forget about washing it. just hose it off and you would never see the water spots. The savings in steel cost may actually offset the cost to seal it. Anyway, its obviously a very distinct look that's not for everyone, but so is the CT. Many probably don't know of this steel, but somehow it is actually resistant to corrosion and the rust layer acts as a protective layer. I included a link below.

here is a link

1629160040797.png
Given the whole point of the ct steel exoskeleton is to use the same exact steel used on space x rockets specifically to bring costs down per sheet by having twice the demand for that material.. seems unlikely they will use anything but the space x steel.
 


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... sealed ... the cost to seal it.
You keep using this word. That sounds an awful lot like some sort of painting.

Given the whole point of the ct steel exoskeleton is to use the same exact steel used on space x rockets specifically to bring costs down per sheet by having twice the demand for that material.. seems unlikely they will use anything but the space x steel.
Was that part of the argument? I just figured while they were researching materials for Starship Musk fell in love with the material. It certainly makes sense, but if it didn't make sense for the truck I doubt he'd have used it.
 

Throwcomputer

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You keep using this word. That sounds an awful lot like some sort of painting.


Was that part of the argument? I just figured while they were researching materials for Starship Musk fell in love with the material. It certainly makes sense, but if it didn't make sense for the truck I doubt he'd have used it.
Tesla/Elon Musk have made many statements about taking advantage of economies of scale and per item cost reductions through optimizing factory processes. He has also mentioned they are using the same alloy as the SpaceX rockets. One can bridge the connection between the two and it is not out of left field to understand this decision as another example of optimizing to take advantage of economies of scale.

Now he did say “If there was something better, we’d use it. Help eliminate dents, damage and long-term corrosion with a smooth monochrome exoskeleton that puts the shell on the outside of the car and provides you and your passengers maximum protection.” I would put money down that if he came across a better steel to use for the CT, you would also start hearing about SpaceX switching to the same steel.

He's reducing operating costs of two separate businesses with one stroke.
 

Ogre

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SpaceX has different needs.

Just as an example, Tesla could make the Cybertruck out of composite/ carbon fiber which is completely unsuitable for high heat & harsh environment conditions the Starship must sustain.

My pet theory. After the shenanigans with the Model 3, Musk fell in love with the idea of a production process that didn't involve paint. When SpaceX found a use for stainless, he latched onto it like chickens to cockroaches.
 

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SpaceX has different needs.

Just as an example, Tesla could make the Cybertruck out of composite/ carbon fiber which is completely unsuitable for high heat & harsh environment conditions the Starship must sustain.

My pet theory. After the shenanigans with the Model 3, Musk fell in love with the idea of a production process that didn't involve paint. When SpaceX found a use for stainless, he latched onto it like chickens to cockroaches.
Yes, materials need to suit the usage, and the stainless steel works for both uses. If it's strong enough for space/rockets it's also very protective for earth based vehicles. Crank some sheets out and depending on demands from your two businesses, divvy it up as needed. No longer need two factories producing two raw materials.

Sure maybe the paint issues led to the out of box thinking which brought them to this conclusion! But the lack of painting has little to no affect on cost. They still have to fold the panels which comes with it's own overhead to design, manufacture the machinery and devote space and time to the step of exoskeleton origami.

Edit: i guess what I'm saying is neither of our opinions on this decision preclude each other. They all probably factored into it and were all seen as reasons to use the same material for both.
 
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