Did someone KEY my CT? No footage on sentry found..

[netcatz99]

After you run the sander over the whole plane, do you just rinse the car with water and that’s the end of it?

any special technique or tips on amount of pressure to apply?

I’ll try and do it this weekend!

I used Sprayway glass cleaner to wipe down the surface after each panel to see how it looks (or use ispropyl alcohol). Light pressure and ensuring overlap on each pass. Let the scouring pad do the work and that should be fine. I'm no expert, but refinishing the stainless steel surface is easier than polishing clear coat.

I used 5” pads as I already have a 5” random orbital polisher for drywall sanding anyway.

The Youtube video shows the process, though they only did 1 panel... but shows the overall process and results.

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[HaulingAss]

i coated mine with Everbrite Protectaclear self leveling metal coating, if it get keyed or scratched i just applied a thin coat on it and scratches be gone.

Coating the Cybertruck takes away one of the biggest advantages of the Cybertruck being made from metal with no coatings. The material is homogenous all the way through, which is a major reason why it's so resistant to permanent damage.

The bodywork of a Cybertruck 20 years old will look brand new (or better) with nothing more than a simple polish. Name one other truck that can honestly say that! Only if it were a garage queen!

 

[HaulingAss]

After you run the sander over the whole plane, do you just rinse the car with water and that’s the end of it?

any special technique or tips on amount of pressure to apply?

I’ll try and do it this weekend!

Polishing it requires skill, just like painting a car requires skill. But you don't need a paint booth, compressor, spray painting gun and a bunch of toxic chemicals. You can do it in your driveway or in your garage.

I recommend reading the guidance Tesla provides in the Service Manual first. Then read helpful tips that owners have posted on this site. There are a few threads detailing this. Everyone will develop their own techniques and materials to get the kind of result they are after. I do recommend a dust extractor (AKA shop vac) attached to your random orbit sander. There is not a lot of dust, but you want to control it, both for health reasons and also to get optimum results with the least amount of consumables.

 

[HaulingAss]

I used Sprayway glass cleaner to wipe down the surface after each panel to see how it looks (or use ispropyl alcohol). Light pressure and ensuring overlap on each pass. Let the scouring pad do the work and that should be fine. I'm no expert, but refinishing the stainless steel surface is easier than polishing clear coat.

I used 5” pads as I already have a 5” random orbital polisher for drywall sanding anyway.

The Youtube video shows the process, though they only did 1 panel... but shows the overall process and results.

Yes, the service manual instructs 1" of overlap. At first I thought that meant each pass in your sanding pattern had 1" of overlap but I quickly figured out it meant each pass moves by one inch (so with a 6" sander the actual overlap will be 5").

 

[jbtfd]

Yes, the service manual instructs 1" of overlap. At first I thought that meant each pass in your sanding pattern had 1" of overlap but I quickly figured out it meant each pass moves by one inch (so with a 6" sander the actual overlap will be 5").

Thanks for that insight, so I will move lower 1” each time I get to the edge of a panel before going back the opposite direction, and continue that movement until the panel has been sanded

Do you guys switch pads for each panel? Or do the whole plane on one pad?

 

[HaulingAss]

Thanks for that insight, so I will move lower 1” each time I get to the edge of a panel before going back the opposite direction, and continue that movement until the panel has been sanded

Do you guys switch pads for each panel? Or do the whole plane on one pad?

Switch pads when the abrasives lose effectiveness. The metal is really hard so you will go through some pads if doing the entire truck. Keeping a light touch helps them last longer. Start with a clean truck and wipe down the metal after each pattern is completed to remove residue from the pads. Alternate horizontal and vertical sanding patterns.

 

[jbtfd]

Gonna buy some hardware today

Going to follow your lead and get a 6” orbital sander, makita brand cordless since I have the batteries and other equipment from this brand

 

[netcatz99]

Thanks for that insight, so I will move lower 1” each time I get to the edge of a panel before going back the opposite direction, and continue that movement until the panel has been sanded

Do you guys switch pads for each panel? Or do the whole plane on one pad?

I used the same pad for the entire side of the vehicle. My pads didn't have those dust holes to allow the bag/vac attachment to work. Be sure to wear a decent face mask to not breathe in the stainless steel dust.

 

[jbtfd]

Thanks I’ll go dig out my old n95s I never wore from 2020 lol

I’ve seen videos of guys polishing their CT until it looks like a mirror, I want to AVOID that at all costs

Using the orbital sander with the pads and techniques described here won’t lead to that finish at all, right ?

?

 

[netcatz99]

Thanks I’ll go dig out my old n95s I never wore from 2020 lol

I’ve seen videos of guys polishing their CT until it looks like a mirror, I want to AVOID that at all costs

Using the orbital sander with the pads and techniques described here won’t lead to that finish at all, right ?

?

You'd really have to work that panel w/ higher grit pads and polish to do that. The 7448 is about 800 grit. The only thing you'll notice is the panel will be a bit brighter, but will eventually dull out.

You can see from the previous response picture, I used 7448 on a section near the driver door window trim, it has the same factory burnished look after a few passes.

 

[Kenneth K.]

Coating the Cybertruck takes away one of the biggest advantages of the Cybertruck being made from metal with no coatings. The material is homogenous all the way through, which is a major reason why it's so resistant to permanent damage.

The bodywork of a Cybertruck 20 years old will look brand new (or better) with nothing more than a simple polish. Name one other truck that can honestly say that! Only if it were a garage queen!

 

[Kenneth K.]

I just got tire of fingerprints, bugs, rust spots and streaks after washing it. Protectaclear is a clear coating that protect the surface without hiding its natural beauty, check it out on youtube with Bearded Tesla Guy.

 

[JCERRN]

It's not hard to do, just have to have the right tools and scouring discs.

3m 7447 Very Fine 5"
3m 7448 Ultra Fine 5"
Dewalt 5" random orbital sander (corded or cordless) or whatever is available to you
Blue Masking Tape (mask off the plastic fenders to prevent scuffing)

Start with the 7448 on the scratched areas to see if it removes the scratches and then follow the recommended pattern from the Tesla Service Manual on refinishing the Cybertruck. If 7448 doesn't remove the scratches, then go to 7447 and then back to 7448 to add appropriate levels of burnish to the stainless steel surface.

The area will be lighter, but will eventually darken. I removed some superficial scratches on the driver side door panels w/ success. Also, made some custom 1.5" 3m scouring discs to refinish the smaller areas near the window trim.

Check out the YouTube video on how the panels are refinished.

If you're not comfortable, you may check w/ your Service Center to see if they can do it for you instead.

Once one completes this process, does one need to passivate the steel?

 

[netcatz99]

Once one completes this process, does one need to passivate the steel?

You can, but I opted to use some ceramic spray wax instead.

 

[netcatz99]

How’d it go? Here’s what mine looked like after.

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