How do you wash your Cybertruck?

[SamJoe]

I'm 2 weeks in with our new AWD CT. Absolutely love it and just assumed I can take this durable stainless steel body through the car wash, but when I search it, I see allot about NOT using a car wash. What do you do, what products do you use, any noteworthy experiences washing this machine?

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[Mal]

Picked up mine July 2024. Been through brushless high-pressure washes multiple times. The only problem is (was) the leaky tonneau issue, which is sort of a rite of passage for new CT owners.... (except for those holy chosen few).

Since I put a rack on it, I usually go to the self-service washes and use the foaming brush. I don't worry about cleaning it often, but I like to get the layer of bug guts off the frunk when it's about half an inch thick....

I have heard stories about the CT's stainless panel edges catching and eating those spinning brushes in conventional car washes.

 

[Dahongfei]

Pressure wash with foam cannon with Adams soap, it’s ph neutral. When soaked, just wipe with a mitt and marks and water stains just float away… love it

 

[Fugue]

Once a year after the snow clears, I take it to a car wash to get the salt off.

 

[hemiarch]

Mine is wrapped in ppf and ceramic but it goes through the automatic touchy car wash where we have a membership about twice a week.
In general; if something is not dishwasher safe it doesn’t survive our kitchen and the same applies for our cars.
FWIW it regularly looks awesome and gets complimented on how “well cared for” it is.

 

[ABILISK]

I have a membership to a drive thru car wash. I take it there weekly (sometimes skipping a week when I get lazy). No problems.

 

[Trekboy]

One of my sons lives in Omaha where they have Rocket car washes with memberships. Not a fan. Here at home, I just pressure wash all the bugs off, then quickly go over everything with Sprayway and a microfiber. Then, if I'm feeling ambitious I"ll hit the glass with a 50/50 isopropyl/distilled water mix to completely clarify the glass.

 

[DesignerEight32]

I'm 2 weeks in with our new AWD CT. Absolutely love it and just assumed I can take this durable stainless steel body through the car wash, but when I search it, I see allot about NOT using a car wash. What do you do, what products do you use, any noteworthy experiences washing this machine?

I will say, I go “overboard” in cleaning/detailing my vehicles. Live in Phoenix and the sun can do a number. That being said, I have used the sprayaway glass cleaner with a micro fiber cloth. It does a pretty good job for a quick wipe down. Then I watched a video, link below, that was intriguing. Thought it was a bit much, but decided to give the whole thing a try. It does take a while, is a bit spendy to get all the stuff, takes a while to do, but in my opinion is worth it. Did the whole thing once and have been using the rinse less wash since. For those who don’t want to watch the whole 40+ min video: company that sells the stuff is DIY detail. Use the rinse less wash and dry as your going with microfiber towel. Next use the iron remover with a fine grade clay towel. Follow that with the panel prep, and lastly the metal ceramic coating. Since I gave it a go, everything wipes off much easier and fingerprints are less noticeable on a daily basis. Still show up, but you can get them off with the sprayaway and a quick wipe, or use a spray bottle with the rinse less wash and they wipe right off. I will be doing it again once it cools down a bit just because I have the stuff and it really seemed to make it easier to clean.

 

[SlegMD]

Started with Dawn and spray away, however that just seems to spread material on the SS and was struggling with streaking and metal deposits.

DIY rinsless wash 2x a week. Abandoned usage of spray away on SS as it spreads road grime etc rather than lifts/emulsifies. Did the whole iron remover process as previous poster, works wonders as panels are spot free.

I have ceramic sitting on shelf but have not felt the need to use it, though it might lower the need for the biweekly wipe down to single… it’s quick though and I don’t seem to mind it as 2x keeps grime and metals of SS.

use rinsless wash on windshield as well, followed by squeegee/glass clean for perfect windshield. This has become my hobby is getting this huge glorious windshield to be spot free. It’s a fools errand really, but has gotten to the point that it’s easy and consistency is achieved.

Need a once a month comprehensive wash with foam cannon to get bed cleaned, plastics treated etc.

Drive through may be easier though my times are approximately 15 minutes for 2x maintenance cleans that I do in my garage. I’ve tried the car wash and it takes 20 mins +, really a “wash”in terms of time.

non wrap btw, getting a wrap may allow for decreased cleaning, I feel SS is reactive to leaving metals and deposits on for long durations(1xwk) and I feel compelled to remove them. This I most apparent on front SS panel where bugs hit. Washing 1x wk there would be variance in SS due to bugs etc, frequent removal allows for much improved homogeneity of stainless. Again, this is probably reduced with ceramic or ppf but as of right now is not a huge time sink.

Rinse less severely lowers water consumption to approximately half a 32oz spray bottle per wk, which I’ve come to appreciate as I do care for conservation etc as I live in AZ.

edit also the DIY rinse less is concentrate, when following dilution protocol it really goes a long way, almost 2 months to use 2 ounces…

 

[hemiarch]

I will say, I go “overboard” in cleaning/detailing my vehicles. Live in Phoenix and the sun can do a number. That being said, I have used the sprayaway glass cleaner with a micro fiber cloth. It does a pretty good job for a quick wipe down. Then I watched a video, link below, that was intriguing. Thought it was a bit much, but decided to give the whole thing a try. It does take a while, is a bit spendy to get all the stuff, takes a while to do, but in my opinion is worth it. Did the whole thing once and have been using the rinse less wash since. For those who don’t want to watch the whole 40+ min video: company that sells the stuff is DIY detail. Use the rinse less wash and dry as your going with microfiber towel. Next use the iron remover with a fine grade clay towel. Follow that with the panel prep, and lastly the metal ceramic coating. Since I gave it a go, everything wipes off much easier and fingerprints are less noticeable on a daily basis. Still show up, but you can get them off with the sprayaway and a quick wipe, or use a spray bottle with the rinse less wash and they wipe right off. I will be doing it again once it cools down a bit just because I have the stuff and it really seemed to make it easier to clean.

Fair number of us Phoenicians on here huh?

 

[Leifmb]

I'm 2 weeks in with our new AWD CT. Absolutely love it and just assumed I can take this durable stainless steel body through the car wash, but when I search it, I see allot about NOT using a car wash. What do you do, what products do you use, any noteworthy experiences washing this machine?

I drive mine through a touch car wash 1-2x/week-NO ISSUES

 

[JURZYDVL]

I'm keeping it "raw" steel. Cybersudz car wash and shine as needed, dry with Chemical Guys MIC529 Ultimate Super Plush Drying Towel.

Citrusurf 77 monthly or as needed...do be careful to rinse thoroughly especially at mirror mount points and tail light bar.

Cerakote Rapid Ceramic Tire Coat on tires...no sling residue.

 

[CapheDa]

Despite all the warnings I go through a touch-full automatic car wash 2-3 times per week because of the dust we get every day in Southern California. I have black gloss vinyl which has been ceramic treated. The vinyl came off a little bit on the cantrail but those cantrails have been replaced with shiny metal ones due to the recall. I’m waiting for my black gloss magnet cantrail covers to see how they do in the car wash.

 

[BabOne]

Have a membership to auto car wash and go once a week or more if needed. I was tentative at first, but I have not had any problems. Go through the wash then do a quick wipe down and all done. Looks great!

 

[Cyberhugo1]

I'm 2 weeks in with our new AWD CT. Absolutely love it and just assumed I can take this durable stainless steel body through the car wash, but when I search it, I see allot about NOT using a car wash. What do you do, what products do you use, any noteworthy experiences washing this machine?

Congrats,
I take my truck to the car wash and have a monthly plan. I've washed it at least once a week for 5 months and the truck is perfect, no issues or scratches.
Just make sure the car wash that you go to Uses good quality brushes.

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