- cross-posted to:
- technology@beehaw.org
- cross-posted to:
- technology@beehaw.org
This Is Why Tesla’s Stainless Steel Cybertrucks May Be Rusting::Who knew stainless steel might not be such a good idea for the exterior of an electric SUV? The entire automotive industry, that’s who.
The Cybertruck manual includes some startling care instructions for those who have bought the SUV, including when washing it is advised not to use hot water or clean the electric truck in direct sunlight.
It’s a Gremlin and a vampire!
I imagine rusty cybertrucks are going to look very sci-fi post apocalyptic, and if they really rust this fast this will not even require an apocalypse
That’d be a great Halloween vibe. Bit pricy for my Halloween budget though.
DeLorean is 304 Stainless. Cyber truck is 30? stainless. As in Tesla doesn’t want to say, which is why they write it “30X”.
given how hard the steel is purported to be, it’s likely a variant of 304N, instead of 304 or 304L. (basic stainless like in commercial kitchen equipment and 18/10 stainless, like in high end cooking pans). 304N is harder to work with cold due to it’s hardness and gets harder when worked, both properties Tesla has reported as belonging to the cybertruck’s steel. 304N is considered a marine grade stainless steel.
There have been a lot of developments in stainless steel production in the 40ish years since the DeLorean came out, so I highly doubt it’s the same steel.
There have been a lot of developments in stainless steel production in the 40ish years since the DeLorean came out, so I highly doubt it’s the same steel.
Which makes the fact that DeLorean managed to get it right but Tesla couldn’t all the more embarrassing.
That’s what I’m trying to get across, it’s very unlikely Tesla got it wrong. Bare stainless will eventually rust, but not in a few days of freshwater rain, sheesh.
304N is not marine grade. It is 304 with a little extra nitrogen for hardness.
Marine grade steels have molybdenum for chloride resistance like 316L.
I was going to say that. 304 is the cheap “marine grade” sold at the hardware store that will rust. 316 is sold at the Chandelry and won’t rust.
To put it another way, 304 is freshwater stainless, 316 is ocean grade.
Does marine grade stainless rust in the rain?
Eventually, yes. Especially around salt. Not in 2 days though. Maybe take the trash click bait article with some of that salt.
I’d love to see someone sacrifice a body panel and do a 3.5% salt solution test like knifenerd does.
“The Cybertruck does not ship with clear coat, that outermost layer of transparent paint that comes as standard on almost every new motor vehicle on the planet. Instead, each Cybertruck owner has the option to purchase a $5,000 urethane-based film to “wrap your Cybertruck in our premium satin clear paint films. Only available through Tesla.””
That’s bullshit from Tesla, because they definitely don’t have special PPF that isn’t available aftermarket. They certainly have not invented a vinyl film. That’s not an unreasonable price for a PPF job of an entire vehicle, but PPF isn’t suitable for every part of a car. The fact that the paint has no clearcoat at all should not be addressed by charging the customer extra. 
How much would it cost to just get it clear coated? Seems it would be minimal prep required.
“Do not wash in direct sunlight,” “Some cleaners and car shampoos contain chemicals that can cause damage or discoloration,” and even “Do not use hot water.”
So it’s a very expensive happy-fun ball.
Do NOT taunt super happy-fun ball. It has cameras and will hold a grudge.
How do you know a commenter is over 40? This one right here.
The important part is that I had an onion on my belt.
Was that the style at the time?