3 weeks into ownership - rust spots or gunk?

[TFrank94]

Hey everyone. Just picked up my CT about 3 weeks ago and love it. Doing my second wash today (water only, then blow dry, then hand dry with microfiber towel, all in the car port out of the sun. Then use glass cleaner for finger prints.) I noticed a few tiny brown spots that look like gunk but won’t come off with microfiber or with my fingernail. Is this rust? I included a video of an example

 

[REM]

This has been covered a multitude of times on the forum. Give that search function a try and join the discussions

 

[Black306]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bar-Kee...-and-Foam-All-Purpose-Cleaner-11727/300005907

 

[cybercricket]

I keep mine parked in the open, in the PNW... It's covered with water droplets like 24x7, and has been for the last 4 months. Not signs of rust anywhere.

 

[Cyber Man]

Yes, as @REM said, this topic has been rinsed and repeated a million times. They are NOT rust spots. It’s rail dust that oxidizes on the SS surface. Get one of those ironX or BKF or @CT Clean. I’m going to try CT Clean. They have a discount code running. BKF is a bit harsh and could make the panel too clean and polished. Please don’t get too OCD about the Stainless Steel. The metal is extremely durable.

 

[REM]

Yes, as @REM said, this topic has been rinsed and repeated a million times. They are NOT rust spots. It’s rail dust that oxidizes on the SS surface. Get one of those ironX or BKF or @CT Clean. I’m going to try CT Clean. They have a discount code running. BKF is a bit harsh and could make the panel too clean and polished. Please don’t get too OCD about the Stainless Steel. The metal is extremely durable.

Agreed. Easiest vehicle to wash (ever) and I have ended up washing it less and less because the natural patina is beautiful in its own right.

 

[Indexck]

$5 bottle of BKF and some windex is your best cleaner. You can spot clean or do your whole car, the whole car job takes awhile and lots of mf cloths. I recommend getting an orbital buffer. It looks awesome after you do it!

 

[Cyber Man]

Agreed. Easiest vehicle to wash (ever) and I have ended up washing it less and less because the natural patina is beautiful in its own right.

Exactly! It’s been three months, and I have only washed three times in touch free car wash. I’m going to do a deep wash after getting the tint and one of the door scratch fixed by SC. I did light off-roading and took it to a friend’s place. It was a bit dusty. They all said it looks so nice and clean. lol ?. CT looks kick ass even with some dirt on it. I love every bit of the truck.

 

[cybercricket]

Exactly! It’s been three months, and I have only washed three times in touch free car wash. I’m going to do a deep wash after getting the tint and one of the door scratch fixed by SC. I’m loving every bit of the truck. I did light off-roading and took it to a friend’s place. They all said it looks so nice and clean. lol ?

Hold on, we're supposed to wash this thing ? That's the final straw, taking it back...

 

[Black306]

Exactly! It’s been three months, and I have only washed three times in touch free car wash. I’m going to do a deep wash after getting the tint and one of the door scratch fixed by SC. I did light off-roading and took it to a friend’s place. It was a bit dusty. They all said it looks so nice and clean. lol ?. CT looks kick ass even with some dirt on it. I love every bit of the truck.

You washed yours 3X!?! What are you going to tell us next, that you vacuumed the interior!?! [faints] **thud**




I've only washed mine once in 3 months. ?

 

[cybercricket]

You washed yours 3X!?! What are you going to tell us next, that you vacuumed the interior!?! [faints] **thud**




I've only washed mine once in 3 months. ?

I wash mine daily. Passively

 

[Black306]

I wash mine daily. Passively

Parked outside in the rain doesn’t count. ? ?

 

[RobWashington]

Hey everyone. Just picked up my CT about 3 weeks ago and love it. Doing my second wash today (water only, then blow dry, then hand dry with microfiber towel, all in the car port out of the sun. Then use glass cleaner for finger prints.) I noticed a few tiny brown spots that look like gunk but won’t come off with microfiber or with my fingernail. Is this rust? I included a video of an example

Why are CT owners OK with this? It snowed and was freezing for two weeks so I “couldn’t “ wash my CT and now it is covered with these stains and pits in the metal. I made a service appointment to see what Tesla says. I want to see it in writing. Has a class action been started yet?

 

[seussiii]

Why are CT owners OK with this?

Anyone that's ok with this understands what's going on here. Read the replies above or the many other threads that have covered this.

For your enjoyment, heres an older ICE vehicle thread on the same topic https://www.adamsforums.com/topic/37884-rail-dust-on-white-vehicle/

 

[RobWashington]

Sorry, not rail dust. The issue is that it reacts to the “stainless “ steel body and doesn’t come off easily. I have had over 40 vehicles without this problem. This is a complete failure from Tesla.