Washing/cleaning

[ldjessee]

BarKeepers friend is the bomb for many things. It is mildly abrasive, but very mild.

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[MEDICALJMP]

Steel wool and WD40

DMC-81, Tesla Cybertruck cleaning, DeLorean owner.

"Don't attempt to clean or buff your Cybertruck with steel wool.

Steel wool is made from mild steel that rusts readily. Using this on stainless steel embeds tiny particles of the mild steel into the stainless. It won't take long for the mild steel to rust causing your Cybertruck to look rusty. It also creates a chemical reaction that can cause pitting in the stainless. Many early DeLorean owners damaged their panels this way. The blending pads in the DeLorean kit linked to above are non-metallic scotch pads (gray color, 80 grit). They are for blending away minor scratches in the Delorean's brushed finish. Unless the CyberTruck has a similar brushed finish, I wouldn't use anything abrasive.

I posted about WD-40 in another thread, so I won't repeat my experience here.

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.

I have heard good things about Shiela Shine, which is similar to BKF, but I haven't used it."

 

[RonM]

Making it shiny and clean is fine, but what do you use on the stubborn bullet dings?

 

[MEDICALJMP]

Making it shiny and clean is fine, but what do you use on the stubborn bullet dings?

You use the Scotch-Brite grading pads. The ones for the DeLorean were gray colored, 80 grit. We will have to wait for recommendations from Tesla, but this should work.

 

[Sasmania]

I may never wash the outside. No guarantees, but if there was ever a vehicle to try it on it would be the CyberTruck.

But, if I do, it will be the same way I clean my Teslas now. A bottle of Waterless car wash, and some microfiber towels. Easy peasy, anytime, anywhere and about 25 cents in product per wash and about 15 minutes max. By the time you drive to a car wash, I'm already done.

The only exception would be for serious mud from off-roading which would require a pressure washer.

 

[Blue Steel]

Per Ryan McCaffery, Tesla Cybertruck cleaning from former DeLorean owner who broadcasts his Tesla-centric podcast "RIDE THE LIGHTNING":

"Don't attempt to clean or buff your Cybertruck with steel wool.

Steel wool is made from mild steel that rusts readily. Using this on stainless steel embeds tiny particles of the mild steel into the stainless. It won't take long for the mild steel to rust causing your Cybertruck to look rusty. It also creates a chemical reaction that can cause pitting in the stainless. Many early DeLorean owners damaged their panels this way. The blending pads in the DeLorean kit linked to above are non-metallic scotch pads (gray color, 80 grit). They are for blending away minor scratches in the Delorean's brushed finish. Unless the CyberTruck has a similar brushed finish, I wouldn't use anything abrasive.

I posted about WD-40 in another thread, so I won't repeat my experience here. (Note - Don't do it!)

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.

I have heard good things about Shiela Shine, which is similar to BKF, but I haven't used it."

It was a joke. Guess I should have said gasoline and an angle grinder.

 

[ricinro]

considering the design of the CT a simple, rolling machine could traverse front to back and then back to front to clean a CT. Without mirrors and other protuberances three rollers would be all that is needed. Rollers like flat surfaces.

 

[ricinro]

It was a joke. Guess I should have said gasoline and an angle grinder.

yeah, it is hard to find a car wash that does passivating.

 

[DMC-81]

Per Ryan McCaffery, Tesla Cybertruck cleaning from former DeLorean owner who broadcasts his Tesla-centric podcast "RIDE THE LIGHTNING":

"Don't attempt to clean or buff your Cybertruck with steel wool.

Steel wool is made from mild steel that rusts readily. Using this on stainless steel embeds tiny particles of the mild steel into the stainless. It won't take long for the mild steel to rust causing your Cybertruck to look rusty. It also creates a chemical reaction that can cause pitting in the stainless. Many early DeLorean owners damaged their panels this way. The blending pads in the DeLorean kit linked to above are non-metallic scotch pads (gray color, 80 grit). They are for blending away minor scratches in the Delorean's brushed finish. Unless the CyberTruck has a similar brushed finish, I wouldn't use anything abrasive.

I posted about WD-40 in another thread, so I won't repeat my experience here. (Note - Don't do it!)

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.

I have heard good things about Shiela Shine, which is similar to BKF, but I haven't used it."

So I guess Ryan McCaffery quoted me directly on his podcast ( from post 27 above). Which episode was that, the most recent?

 

[MEDICALJMP]

So I guess Ryan McCaffery quoted me directly on his podcast ( from post 27 above). Which episode was that, the most recent?

It was a while back, like after the CT was revealed.

 

[VI Tesla]

What is everyone thinking of how to clean your non-wrapped Cybertruck?

I was thinking something like Vim, with the lemon smell.

BBQ Grill Cleaner ?

 

[Doug McAllister]

I love to wax my cars but I guess that wouldn’t be prudent on s.

 

[Luke42]

I do not wash the outside of a car

If you live in a place where roads are salted in the winter, this is a costly mistake.

Washing is mandatory in the winter, optional in the summer, if you want your car to last.

If you live in a place with perpetual summer, my advice does not apply.

 

[T3slaDad]

I've got a pressure washer with a foam cannon. Spray it down, wipe it around with MF gloves, spray down once more for a rinse, dry. I also put a hybrid spray ceramic coating on my M3 once every 3 months to help make the job easier, would be curious to hear if that's good or bad for the CT since it has no clear coat ?

 

[Mini2nut]

Model 3 and car washes;

Page 135 of the owner's manual states, “If washing in an automatic car wash, use touchless car washes only. These car washes have no parts (brushes, etc.) that touch the surfaces of Model 3. Using any other type of car wash could cause damage that is not covered by the warranty.”