Tesla Cybertruck Owner Reports Rust Spots Post Pressure Washing, Clarifies Use of pH-Balanced Car Shampoo
Tesla Cybertruck Owners Report Rust Spots: A Closer Look
There has been a growing concern among Tesla Cybertruck owners regarding the appearance of rust spots on their vehicles. A recent investigation reveals that these rust spots are not a result of the stainless steel body corroding, but rather an external contamination.
Brock, a Cybertruck owner from British Columbia, shares his suspicion that calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, commonly used for dust control or deicing, are causing the rust spots on his vehicle. He noticed the spots after driving on a dirt road treated with these chlorides. Brock's Cybertruck has small, evenly sized rust spots, mostly at the top of the grime.
Similarly, Kristoph, a Cybertruck owner from California, found rust spots all over his truck after pressure-washing. He ordered Citrisurf 77 stainless steel rust remover to tackle the issue. However, he expressed surprise at the high cost of this industrial-grade cleaner.
Rem, a second Cybertruck owner from North Carolina, agrees with this sentiment. He too has experienced rust spots on his vehicle.
In some areas, the rust spots are grouped together, forming patches of brown discoloration. Most of the rust spots are medium-sized brownish blemishes scattered across the Cybertruck's stainless steel.
Tesla stainless steel panels require special care and occasional maintenance in areas with road salt or high humidity. Typical soaps and pressure washing alone may leave iron contaminants on the surface, which then oxidize visually like rust. Some owners use Citrisurf 77, a strong acidic cleaner designed to dissolve iron oxide and re-passivate stainless steel, to remove these spots. However, improper use can damage the metal and personal safety.
It's important to note that these rust spots are likely due to external iron oxide contamination from environmental sources such as brake dust and rail dust rather than corrosion of the steel itself.
A Cybertruck owner from Boston suggested that the rust spots are due to iron deposits from brake dust on the roads. Another Cybertruck owner from Sacramento, California, recommended an alternative cleaning method. A third Cybertruck owner from Pennsylvania recommended using Citrisurf 77 stainless steel rust remover to clean the rust spots.
Tesla has not officially addressed these rust concerns publicly, but mentions of a future scratch-resistant tungsten carbide coating have been made to improve durability and corrosion resistance.
Fellow Cybertruck owners on the forum downplayed Kristoph's concerns, stating the rust spots are likely iron-containing debris picked up from the environment. Kristoph shared his concerns about the rust spots on the Cybertruck Owners Club forum.
Citrisurf 77 is an industrial-grade, highly acidic cleaner with a pH of 1.8. The rust spots appeared after using a pH-balanced car shampoo during the pressure-washing process. While this cleaner is effective in removing rust spots, it's crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid any potential damage to the vehicle or personal safety.
In conclusion, proper cleaning agents and maintenance are recommended to remove these rust-like spots safely. Owners should be mindful of their surroundings, especially when driving on roads treated with chloride-based chemicals, to prevent the appearance of these unwanted spots on their Cybertrucks.
- despite the concern, Tesla's Cybertruck owners find that the rust spots on their vehicles are not caused by corrosion of the stainless steel body, but rather an external contamination from environmental sources such as brake dust.
- Brock, a Cybertruck owner from British Columbia, speculates that the rust spots on his vehicle are caused by calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, which are commonly used for dust control or deicing.
- Rem, another Cybertruck owner from North Carolina, and Kristoph from California, have found rust spots on their vehicles and have resorted to using Citrisurf 77, an industrial-grade, highly acidic cleaner designed to remove rust spots.
