Surprising as it sounds, Tesla’s choice to make the Cybertruck’s body out of stainless steel might not have been the best idea for an electric SUV. It turns out, the auto industry has mostly avoided stainless steel for decades and for good reasons.
Back in 2019, Elon Musk hyped the Cybertruck’s "ultra-hard stainless steel" body as "literally bulletproof." But now, it seems this tough exterior might not stand up to something as harmless as rain. Reports from owners suggest the futuristic truck could be developing rust spots.
On the Cybertruck Owners Club forum, an owner shared that when they picked up their Cybertruck, a Tesla advisor warned them about orange rust marks showing up in the rain. Another owner reported seeing corrosion after just 11 rainy days.
Unlike most vehicles, the Cybertruck doesn’t come with a clear coat, a protective layer that shields a car's paint. Instead, Tesla offers an option to wrap the truck in a premium satin clear film. Without this, the stainless steel is directly exposed to the elements.
Tesla likely uses a proprietary type of stainless steel. Even so, all stainless steels can corrode, especially if cheaper materials underneath react with the stainless surface. Stainless steel forms a protective layer of chromium oxide that resists rust. But once that barrier is damaged, through scratches, exposure to salty air, or high heat, corrosion can take hold.
Tesla’s owner’s manual emphasises keeping the Cybertruck’s exterior clean to avoid damage. It advises:
- Quickly removing corrosive substances like bird droppings, tree sap, road salt, and even bug splatter.
- Using denatured alcohol to clean stubborn stains, followed by water and mild soap.
Given the reports of rust and the Cybertruck’s unique design, maybe Tesla should include the protective wrap by default. After all, a futuristic truck that struggles with rain might need a little extra help to live up to its rugged image.
The Cybertruck might be experiencing some ssues but Stainless Steel is still an easy finish to look after. Take our stainless steel worktops or units for example. Usually a simple wash down with warm soapy water, and drying with a clean cloth is sufficient for a steel worktop or other stainless steel product to maintain its hygienic properties and attractive sheen. Finally we'd love to tell a Cybertruck joke to finish off with... but unfortunately our joke telling is a bit rusty.