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Tesla Cybertruck Becomes Extensively Corroded After Exposed to Magnet

Multiple Tesla Cybertruck owners share that their truck’s stainless steel has been rusted and corroded after exposure to a magnet. One owner specifically details the effects magnets have had on his Cybertruck’s stainless steel surface.

Nick is a Tesla Cybertruck owner from Seattle, Washington, and says he was surprised to find his Cybertruck’s stainless steel exoskeleton rusted and corroded after he attached a magnet to it.

Nick shared his experience on the Cybertruck Owners Club forum under the title “Don’t put magnets on your Cybertruck! Corrosion?”

 

Here is what Nick wrote…

“I feel like an idiot. I decided to put advertising magnets on my Cybertruck. I happened to take them off to wash the truck after a month, and my heart sunk…rust and corrosion.”

Below his post, Nick provided several pictures of his Cybertruck, showing the discolored and rusted stainless steel along the lower portion of the passenger side door.

If you head over to the Cybertruck Owner Club forum, you will see that Nick’s Cybertruck is extensively stained, with white central blemishes surrounded by brownish-rusted-looking outer defects.

This is an interesting case. Ever since Tesla revealed that the Cybertruck would have an exposed unpainted stainless steel surface, there have been questions regarding rust and corrosion.

Continuing his post, Nick writes…

“I was able to clean most of it off with liquid Bar Keepers Friend, followed by Windex, but there are a couple of small white spots left that have a slightly rough texture. I am planning on using a cordless polisher with my Bar Keepers Friend to see if it will just take a little more than elbow grease to polish it off.”

After the cleaning procedure, Nick shared more pictures showing that most of the superficial blemishes are gone; however, the deeper, white corrosion with a rough surface is still intact.

Finally, Nick writes…

“Does anyone have any recommendations for removing the rest of these small spots or know what exactly is going on? I like to assume the spots are just superficial corrosion with good stainless steel underneath still…”

This is the first time I’ve heard of the Cybertruck’s stainless steel rusting after being exposed to magnets; however, other Cybertruck owners have come out and shared similar stories in the comments.

Another Cybertruck owner from San Diago who goes by the username “wh1t3rbb1t” on the Cybertruck Owners Club says…

“I had the same issue with a magnet on my Cybertruck, which is disappointing because of all the possibilities. But oh well. I wonder if we could place something between the magnet and steel that would allow it to stick but not allow corrosion.”

Since Tesla used magnetic stainless steel alloy for the Cybertruck, many owners were excited about all the unique customizations they could do to their trucks simply using magnets. 

However, it appears from these reports that leaving a magnet attached to a Cybertruck might not be a good idea.

What’s going on here?

On the surface, since rusting is a chemical process, and magnetic fields are not supposed to affect this chemical process, the whole issue of the rusted Cybertruck is a bit of a head-scratcher.

However, a couple of factors could be at play here that are causing the premature rust on the Cybertruck’s stainless.

First, and the simplest explanation, is that road debris and moisture trapped between the magnet and the stainless steel caused accelerated corrosion.

This process can be further exacerbated if a strong magnet is used. This can cause surface scratches, expose the underlying metal, and make it more susceptible to rust.

The second possibility is that while magnets do not directly affect stainless steel corrosion, the type of stainless steel, whether magnetic or non-magnetic, correlates with its corrosion resistance. Austenitic stainless steel (non-magnetic) resists corrosion better than ferritic or martensitic stainless steel (magnetic), which Tesla uses with the Cybertruck.

Also, watch this interesting story of a new Cybertruck owner, who had to return to the dealership after 3 days of ownership on the Torque News Youtube channel.

 

Overall, it’s surprising to see the Cybertruck’s surface extensively rusted after being exposed to a magnet. Please let me know what you think is going on in the comments. Share your ideas by clicking the red “Add new comment” button below. Also, visit our site, torquenews.com/Tesla, regularly for the latest updates.

Image: Courtesy of Tesla, inc.

For more information, check out: Insurance Providers in Canada are Refusing to Cover Tesla Cybertrucks, Saying “We Don’t Cover Armored Vehicles”

Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and the evolution of the EV space daily for several years. He covers everything about Tesla, from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.

Comments

Jeremy (not verified)    November 20, 2024 - 10:04AM

Magnetic stainless is the cheapest stainless there is. It is thin and has ferris metal in the mix. I'm not positive that the magnet had anything other then alignment of the molecular make up. Of course if the stainless alloy is not properly taken care of ie a corrosion preventative coating. It will rust. Just like any exposed steel. Look at your cheap stainless appliances after time without proper maintenance it rust. Good non magnetic stainless will last two life times even if not properly maintained.

Jock (not verified)    December 10, 2024 - 2:18PM

In reply to by Jeremy (not verified)

Not true. For example some Duplex steels are extremely corrosion resitant, but still ferromagnetic, high alloyed ferritic steels are comparable to 316,but magnetic. Austentic steels become ferromagnetic when cold worked to higher strength, as is the case in Cybertruck panels. These cars will corrode bcs. crevice corrosion ie. moisture and lack of oxygen between sticker and the panel. Brake dust and road dust has iron particles and when those get into steel surface it will rust and initiate corrosion on SS.

George Szucs (not verified)    November 20, 2024 - 2:25PM

Of course it is going to rust, magnet or not. The bodies on these trucks are 302 stainless steel. Not a true stainless steel because it has carbon mixed in it when casted. They had to use 302 because it was easier to stamp the body panels. If they had used 304 instead, other problems would be present in the stamping process. 304 is alot stiffer and harder.

Don bryson (not verified)    November 20, 2024 - 2:37PM

Stainless steel must be pickled(acid/chemical treated) if you do anything to remove the original acid or chemical treatment.

Nick Rowney (not verified)    November 20, 2024 - 2:58PM

Okay so let's get this straight, magnets don't attach to stainless steel.
So the trucks skin is obviously not stainless, it wouldn't stain if it was duh.
Another lie from the prince of lying.. Good luck to all of you who forked out for this piece of garbage, you'll be lucky to get 10K for it in a couple of years

Mkub (not verified)    November 22, 2024 - 9:57PM

In reply to by Nick Rowney (not verified)

Yes, certain types of stainless are magnetic.A lot of the 400 grades and the duplex grades are magnetic.it could also be thin enough for the magnet to stick to the support or parts underneath that are magnetic.

Greg (not verified)    November 25, 2024 - 2:47PM

In reply to by Nick Rowney (not verified)

Actually... you don't know what you're talking about even though you'd like to present that you do.

"So the trucks skin is obviously not stainless, it wouldn't stain if it was duh."

I is is stainless steel. Bro, it's LITERALLY in the name - Stain-LESS steel. Let me repeat... Stain LESS. It's not called stainproof steel. There are varying degrees of StainLESS steel with different abilities to... you guessed it- stainless.

Gofak (not verified)    November 26, 2024 - 10:44PM

In reply to by Nick Rowney (not verified)

Less than a minute of reading about stainless steel would reveal that being magnetic has nothing to do with whether or not a material is considered stainless steel. Even non magnetic stainless steels can become mildly magnetic under certain conditions.

Tom Dye (not verified)    November 20, 2024 - 3:26PM

If it was even mid-grade stainless steel, first of all magnets would not stick to it, and it certainly would not rust.

Bad Kitty No M… (not verified)    November 21, 2024 - 12:00AM

Cybertruck owners are learning quickly why DeLorean started painting their cars in the second year of production. Smart owners are wrapping theirs. SS is a huge PITA to care for.

HighFlyer (not verified)    November 21, 2024 - 12:41AM

So much bad information in these comments. It doesn't look like actual corrosion to me. People have no idea how basic metallurgy, chemistry, and magnets work.

Anyways, it looks like a wrap.

Rod (not verified)    November 22, 2024 - 3:50PM

In reply to by HighFlyer (not verified)

I also believe what we are seeing in this picture is a specific wrap job. I've seen similar pictures where an owner had his Cybertruck wrapped like this. If you have the money, you might as well have fun punking folks!

Passing Through (not verified)    November 22, 2024 - 5:19PM

In reply to by HighFlyer (not verified)

Funny you should conclude it's a wrap because I'm inclined to think the same thing. Otherwise, he must have had magnets on every square Mm of that body, including the points and creases. Maybe it's a "magnetic wrap"? LOL

Carl Heinze (not verified)    November 24, 2024 - 9:16PM

In reply to by HighFlyer (not verified)

It is a wrap. The picture they are showing is not the one from the businessowner. To see the actual corrosion you have to click a link and it shows a small line and two dime size corrosion spots. And those look like some kind of clear coat damage. The picture the article is using is totally deceptive.

Out Spokan (not verified)    November 22, 2024 - 2:26PM

Interesting, I woukd have expected Tesla to use a 3 series stainless for an automotive body application, as road salt is corrosive. 3 series are non-magnetic, wouldn't hold a magnet. They must have used a 4 series,such as 409 they use for exhausts. 409 is more corrosion resistant than carbon steel, but no where near as resistant as a 3 series. Probably trying to cut costs, maximize profits.

Joseph v potro (not verified)    November 22, 2024 - 3:21PM

Unfortunately, I am not surprised at all.

Stainless steel can be corroded, about time to break the myth.

It can be corroded and often times very easily. Corrosion is an electrochemical process, and whether or not a metal corrodes depends on the environment to which is exposed and the composition and manufacturing process of the metal.

Low pH acidic compounds can be more aggressive to many steels than concentrated acidic solutions...

Anyway, the power of marketing.