The Tesla Cybertruck is one of the hottest new EVs on the market, but many are wondering how to protect the stainless steel exterior of this metallic beast. After all, the stainless steel on Tesla Cybertrucks do not have a protective clear coat like most painted cars do. This leaves the metal exposed to environmental hazards like rust.
So how do you protect a Tesla Cybertruck? There might be a few options you’re already thinking of — wax, ceramic coating, PPF — but will they work on exposed stainless steel? We’ll answer all that and more below.
Why Does the Tesla Cybertruck Need Protection?
The Tesla Cybertruck needs protection because its body panels are made from exposed stainless steel with no clear coat. The clear coat helps protect your vehicle’s metal from environmental hazards like rust, which can corrode a vehicle’s body from the inside out. Without this protection, the Cybertruck is extremely susceptible to rusting. Thankfully there are some aftermarket options for protecting the Cybertruck’s exposed stainless steel.
Options for Protecting the Tesla Cybertruck
There are a few different options for protecting a Tesla Cybertruck. Some are more effective than others. Let’s take a look.
Not Recommended: Wax
Yes, you can wax the stainless steel on a Tesla Cybertruck. It will add shine to the stainless steel as well as a hydrophobic effect that will make cleaning easier. It will also inhibit rust to a small extent.
The problem with wax is that it’s organic in nature, so it decays quickly and will only protect the metal for a couple months at the very most. Unless you want to re-apply wax often and you’re okay with only a small amount of rust protection, we don’t recommend using wax as your primary protection.
Pros:
- Adds hydrophobicity
- Some rust inhibition
- DIY application
Cons:
- Doesn’t last long
- Weak protection
Best DIY Option: Ceramic Coating
Can you apply a ceramic coating to the stainless steel on a Tesla Cybertruck? Yes — but we recommend you use a ceramic coating designed specifically for exposed metal. Here’s why.
Ceramic coatings work by forming a bond with the surface they’re applied to, and most ceramic coatings are designed to bond with clear coat. When you apply a ceramic coating for clear coat to a surface like stainless steel, it forms a weaker bond with the surface that can fail prematurely, leaving the surface without protection.
That’s why you want to use a ceramic coating designed specifically for protecting exposed metal. These ceramic coatings are engineered to bond with exposed metal surfaces, resulting in a durable bond that can last years on end.
Pros:
- Adds hydrophobicity
- Resists UV
- Resists contamination
- Inhibits rust
- Can be applied DIY
- Long lasting
Cons:
- Doesn’t protect against rock chips & scratches
Best Pro Option: Paint Protection Film
The best possible protection for a Tesla Cybertruck is paint protection film. Paint protection film, AKA PPF, is a urethane-based film material that is applied to the vehicle’s body panels. Once installed, PPF will protect against rock chips, scratches, UV damage and most importantly for the Cybertruck, rust.
Tesla actually offers paint protection film as an upgrade for the Cybertruck, with options for a satin finish clear film ($5,000) as well as satin finish color film in Rose Gold, Abyss Blue, Slip Grey, Satin Stealth Black and Satin Ceramic White.
The only real drawback for PPF (besides the price) is how difficult it can be to install. It’s definitely not something you can do at home, unlike a ceramic coating. It’s even difficult for professional installers — so make sure you’re going to a reputable shop if you don’t go with Tesla’s in-house offerings.
You’ll also want to consider applying a ceramic coating after the PPF is installed. While PPF is great for resisting rock chips and scratches, film is typically not hydrophobic or particularly contaminant resistant. Adding a ceramic coating designed to bond with film will make cleaning much easier.
Pros:
- Resists rock chips & scratches
- Inhibits rust
- Extremely durable
- Self-heals (some types)
- Maintains factory satin appearance (some types)
Cons:
- Can’t be installed DIY
- Requires ceramic coating for easy cleaning
How to Protect the Tesla Cybertruck with a Ceramic Coating
Now that we’ve broken down the different options for protecting the Tesla Cybertruck, let’s explain how to apply the best DIY option — ceramic coatings.
- Wash the exterior of the Tesla Cybertruck with a high quality wash soap, soft wash pads using a foam gun or two-bucket method.
- Dry the exterior of the Tesla Cybertruck.
- Using a bug cleaning spray, identify and remove any bonded contaminants remaining on the body panels.
- Apply a ceramic coating designed for metal (in this case, Metal Coat) to an applicator pad.
- Starting with a small area, apply the ceramic coating in a circular motion using overlapping passes.
- After covering the small area, wipe away immediately with a clean microfiber towel.
- Move to the next small area and repeat steps 4-6 until all stainless steel panels are coated.
Maintaining the Ceramic Coating on your Tesla Cybertruck
After applying the ceramic coating, you’ll want to wash the vehicle twice a month or as needed based on how often the vehicle is being driven and in what conditions. You can apply a spray ceramic coating every few months to reinforce the coating and reinvigorate the hydrophobic effect. Depending on how durable the ceramic coating is, re-apply every 2-3 years or as needed.
And there you have it! While the fact that the Tesla Cybertruck’s stainless steel comes out of the factory totally unprotected may worry some, there are plenty of options for protecting this unique exterior. Just make sure you’re using a ceramic coating designed for stainless steel, or if you’ve gone the PPF route, that your installer is skilled.
Have tips or questions on caring for the Tesla Cybertruck? Drop them below!
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