How to clean your Cybertruck exterior according to Tesla: An ultimate guide
- Chuck Truck
- Aug 24, 2024
- 13 min read
Introduction
The futuristic Cybertruck looks amazing in a deserted wasteland and is at home in the mud and dirt, but for those looking to keep the stainless steel panels shining and the tires looking fresh, we have some tips & tricks for keeping your Cybertruck looking new. These aren't just any tips and tricks though. This entire guide was built using Tesla's own Cybertruck owner's manual as a guideline.
This guide will cover the entire Cybertruck from front to back, top to bottom; and will share some of the best-rated cleaning products and accessories available to help get the job done.
This comprehensive Cybertruck cleaning guide will cover (click to jump to a specific section):
Note: The tips found in this article are only personal recommendations and our interpretation of the Tesla guidelines for care. While they are based on Tesla's user guide, before diving in to any car-care regimen, make sure to always read the official Tesla Cybertruck User Manual and follow their instructions as well to avoid any damage to your vehicle.
Exterior Care
When the Tesla Cybertruck was unveiled in November 2019 one of the most distinguishing features was the unpainted stainless steel body panels. Described as "bulletproof" and the toughest pickup truck ever made, Tesla went all-in on creating a material that will turn heads and provide a ton of practical benefits.
Some of the benefits of the stainless steel exterior are:
Toughness: This stainless steel is dent and scratch resistant, and will stand up to serious abuse. As you'll see, it can also stand up to some pressure washing!
Lack of paint: While the shiny exterior isn't everyone's cup of tea, the lack of paint means there is no fancy finish to worry about. It also makes manufacturing incredibly simple, allowing Tesla to completely skip the paint shop, a time consuming and expensive task.
Easy Care: With such a damage resistant surface, there's less of a need for a complicated wash routine that can only be done safely by professional detailers. This truck is a simple wash in your driveway or a quick trip through a carwash.
General Washing Tips
Stainless Steel Panels
While washing a Cybertruck is similar to any other car on the road, the stainless steel panels might make people think twice. Overall, they're tough, but there's just a few things Tesla calls out to be aware of.
Caring for Cybertruck stainless steel
Stainless steel is incredibly durable but it's not invincible, especially to corrosive substances over a long period of time. Because of this, Tesla recommends immediately removing anything corrosive.
To remove dirt and grime, Tesla recommends grease, tar, or other stuck-on spots be removed with a denatured alcohol at first. Then, go over it with a mild non-detergent soap. If you get a little dirt or material on the stainless that isn't too hard to get off, the mild soap alone should be plenty!
What is corrosive to the stainless steel of the Cybertruck?
The Cybertruck manual shares a long list of things that are considered corrosive when left to sit. This list is similar to what you see from other vehicle manufacturers.
Included items are grease, oil, bird droppings, tree sap/resin, dead insects, tar spots, road salt, and industrial fallout. While it's common to come across some of these things fairly often, a quick spot clean for an area accidentally hit by some road tar or a big bird dropping is a quick fix.
Cybertruck Dents & Scratches
One unique consideration for the Cybertruck's stainless steel body panels is that they do not have a clear coat. All other cars with traditional paint put a clear, protective coat as a final layer during the painting process. This protects the paint color itself from minor everyday scrapes and dings to keep the color looking great for a longer period of time.
The Tesla Cybertruck however has no coatings like this. Instead, the Cybertruck's panels are uncoated and exposed to the elements. This is ok because of the strength and durability of stainless steel, however you need to be aware that any scratches or dents that might be severe enough to show up are actually dug in to the panels themselves and not a protective clear-coat.
This shouldn't cause a problem though and is a cosmetic issue only. It shouldn't cause any problems with the truck at all. That said, if you do need a deep scratch or dent repaired because you want to keep your truck perfect, visit an official body shop who can follow Tesla's Exterior Stainless Steel Panel refinishing process.
Mud & dirt
While the majority of pickup trucks end up just hauling groceries, there seems to be an ever-growing number of people who are in to getting out in to nature, adventuring, and getting a little dirty. The Cybertruck is no slouch offroad, and if you are going to take it through the mud and dirt, there's a couple care tips to be aware of.
To keep everything operational, Tesla recommends rinsing built-up mud and dirt off of the Cybertruck regularly, especially from a few key areas. Keep in mind, the truck is built tough, but it's also high-tech, and some of the key features might not work if caked in mud!
General Cybertruck mud & dirt cleaning
Tesla themselves recommend rinsing the entire truck with water after offroading to prevent major dirt & debris build-up.
The Cybertruck can be cleaned with a power washer and Tesla actually recommends use of a power washer on:
The vehicle underside
Wheel wells
Panel seams
Radiator
The rest of the truck and exterior details can be cleaned using the basic steps at the beginning of this article.
Which pressure washer and soap to use on the Tesla Cybertruck?
For those of you interested in pressure washing off the dirt and grime, here are three of the top-rated pressure washers from Amazon. All of these choices are good quality and are electric for ease of use! Make sure you review them for proper vehicle cleaning settings before use to avoid damaging your Cybertruck!
This pressure washer has a very high-quality and extra long hose, several included nozzles, and even a foam cannon for helping with a complete vehicle wash.
They recommend the 40 degree nozzle for vehicle washing.
This next pressure washer is a little unique because instead of individual nozzle attachments, it has an adjustable nozzle. With a simple twist, you can easily transition from a focused jet mode for pavement and other hard to clean areas, all the way to a fan spray mode suitable for cleaning vehicles.
Like the previous washer, this one has a soap bottle for adding a foaming wash to your cleaning routine!
The final high-rated selection stands out with a unique, tough looking design, but still compact and easy to put away when not in use. It's also the most powerful washer on this list of recommendations at 4500PSI.
It comes with 4 quick-connect nozzles and a foaming soap tank. At the time of writing, it has a perfect 5 star rating too!
If you want to use the soap/chemical sprayer function on these pressure washers, make sure to get something recommended for use in a foam cannon or pressure washer. Here are a few items from reputable brands that you can use. They're great for hand-washing too if you don't have a pressure washer.
Recommended vehicle soaps:
Cybertruck Mud & Dirt Focus Areas
In addition to those general cleaning tips, here are some important specific areas to be aware of when it comes to mud & dirt on the Tesla Cybertruck.
Headlights:
Like any vehicle, a set of functioning headlights is important. The Cybertruck's unique design can tend to cause a fair bit of mud to get caught above the front bumper. Many people think the signature light bar is the headlight but in fact, the Cybertruck's main headlights are down low, just above the bumper. That recessed area can tend to hang on to mud and dirt, so after you get in from off-roading, it's worth clearing that area by hand if you need to before getting to the car wash.
Tail lights:
Fortunately the tail lights don't have the same problem as the headlights on the Cybertruck. Not only are they located up high on the back of the truck, but they're basically completely flat and flush with the tailgate of the truck. This means mud & dirt should fall off on their own. That said, turn signals and break lights are pretty important, so take a peek at them before you get back on to normal roads.
Cameras:
The other two areas we discussed are something to be aware of for any truck, but the Cybertruck has some unique features that require the use of cameras. not only do these cameras all-around the truck give you improved visibility, they also will be used for autopilot and full self driving, as security cameras, and any number of other uses Tesla comes up with. For cameras, take care of any stuck-on mud and then follow the camera cleaning instructions for best results.
There is one camera at the front bumper (with a built-in sprayer to keep things clean), one in the rear tailgate, one above each front wheel well, and then one on each side of the B-pillar behind the driver and front passenger.
Wheels and Wheel Wells:
An area that people tend to forget about since it's not as visible as others, is inside the wheels and wheel wells of the Cybertruck. While off-roading, these areas experience the most dirt and mud and all of that material can gather in the wheel well or even inside wheels.
Making sure to check this area out after getting back to paved roads is important. The goal is to avoid rocks and mud drying in place and building up over time. The abrasive nature of dirt and rocks can wear-through key components and cause problems over time. Tesla doesn't cover any damages as a result of debris and mud build-up, so it's important to maintain your Cybertruck!
Cybertruck window cleaning and care
Cleaning the Cybertruck's windows is just as straightforward as it sounds. Simply clean the windows and mirrors using your favorite automotive glass cleaner. My recommendation is to keep it simple. Find a good, basic automotive glass cleaner without any frills or special coatings for best results.
Hydrophobic rain-resistant coatings can be applied separately or only specifically to certain locations on the car. Tesla has some recommendations on hydrophobic coatings for the Cybertruck which I cover below. It's recommended to use basic window cleaner at first for all windows.
Make sure to follow the cleaning product's recommended directions, but often it's as simple as spraying the cleaner directly on the surface of the window, then wiping with a clean microfiber cloth.
Recommended Cybertruck window cleaning products
Finding the right cleaning product is key for a streak and spot-free clear glass shine! Here are some of the top rated glass cleaners on Amazon that should provide you with great results. (Note: I selected these specific products because they are simple cleaners and do not provide a hydrophobic coating. More tips on hydrophobic cleaners and coatings are in the next section)
Hydrophobic coatings on the Tesla Cybertruck
Hydrophobic coatings for the Cybertruck work just as on any other vehicle. Tesla states that coatings like this should only be applied to the side and rear windows, not the front windshield. Applying a coating to the windshield may cause interreference with the front cameras, which are critical for performance of autopilot, full self driving, and other features.
If you do decide to add a hydrophobic coating in the areas Tesla states, there's plenty of products on the market. Here's a short list of the best rated hydrophobic coatings that are compatible with the Cybertruck on Amazon.
Cybertruck cameras cleaning and care
A unique feature of all Tesla vehicles is the suite of cameras providing a 360 view of the exterior of the car. While these are primarily meant as tools to allow the car to operate in full-self driving mode, a secondary benefit is that you get some incredible views anywhere around the truck via your main control screen on the dashboard.
With the general visibility of the Cybertruck being not so great, it's important to make sure your cameras maintain good visibility so you can keep awareness of what's around you. Here's how Tesla recommends you clean your Cybertruck cameras.
To deal with condensation on the lenses, Tesla recommends simply pre-conditioning your car via the Tesla App before going for a drive. Not only does this get your cabin set to a comfy temperature, but it also ensures that the camera lenses have a clean, dry view even in wet or cold conditions. If preheating the cabin alone isn't getting the job done, make sure to turn on the windshield defroster for extra effect!
Next up is the exterior cameras located on the front fenders, front bumper, and rear tailgate of the Cybertruck. For this set of cameras, it's best to spray with clean water and then dry with a microfiber cloth. This keeps things clean and prevents scratching of the lenses.
The Tesla Cybertruck also has a unique feature for the front camera to keep things clean. A front-mounted spray nozzle can be activated by pressing the spray button on the dashboard. This can help you keep good front visibility when on dirty or muddy trails without having to get out of the truck!
For exterior Cybertruck cameras, Tesla recommends giving them a spray and wipe-down at least once a month in dry weather, and once a week in wet/snowy weather to maintain good visibility. For extreme conditions and off-roading, scroll back up to the section about mud and dirt for tips!
Wheel and tire care for Cybertruck
Cleaning the wheels and tires of the Tesla Cybertruck is much like any other vehicle. That said, there are some areas that people tend to forget about from time to time but are important to pay attention to.
Cybertruck Wheel Well Cleaning
The wheel wells are often an overlooked spot in the car-care routine. Out of sight, out of mind right? Well if you are doing any level of off-roading or mudding, spending some time to blast all the caked on mud & dirt inside the wheel well is important.
It's an easy step and doesn't require anything fancy. A high-powered hose or pressure washer will get the job done just fine.
If you don't keep the wheel well clean, you are putting yourself at risk for damaging suspension and to possibly have chunks of hardened dirt and rocks to fall off while driving. It's not safe for you or other drivers. Not to mention the mud and rocks is extremely abrasive, which can break down even metal over time.
In addition to the abrasion wear and risk to other drivers, mud and dirt can also cause additional road noise and vibration, leading to a less than ideal ride.
Cybertruck Wheel Cover Cleaning
For those Cybertruck owners lucky enough to get a wheel cover set, they need to be aware of a unique new area to clean!
As shown in the above image from the user manual, the wheel cover simply snaps on to the exterior of the wheel, adding to the range efficiency of the truck while also further adding to the futuristic look.
While it looks great, it basically creates a bowl for dirt, rocks, and mud to get trapped. Since the wheel cover is only on the outside, the back side of the wheel is still wide open to collect debris and the wheel cover now traps it inside the wheel.
No problem though! The wheel cover easily snaps on and off. It's recommended to remove the wheel cover, blast out any debris inside the wheel and give it a wash. While you've got the wheel cover off, give it a nice cleaning as well before snapping it back in to place.
Cybertruck Tire Cleaning
The Cybertruck's huge tires make it look like a futuristic monster truck, but the good news is that at the end of the day, they're just regular tires. That means you can follow your favorite tire care regimen.
If you are new to the world of tire care though, it's pretty straightforward and we can get you up to speed in no time! I recommend waiting until the end of the wash to do this part since they'll be picking up the most dirt and debris that you don't want rubbing on the rest of your car with your cleaning mitt.
To start, I usually use a cleaning mitt. They're inexpensive but create a great, scratch-free way to clean. Here are some good options available on Amazon:
Use the mitt with some soapy water to scrub the tire and wheels to get dirt and grime off, taking care to get in to all the little ridges of the tire. Don't worry about the part of the tire that contacts the road since that will always of course be dirty, just focus on the sidewall and area facing out from the sides of the truck.
Once washed, I use a tire shine to brighten up the tires and keep them looking fresh and like-new! This is a step many people miss and they get disappointed after scrubbing your tires doesn't make them shiny again. To get that look, you have to wipe the tires down with some additional tire shine product. Taking the extra time to do this small step makes a huge difference and is sure to lead to compliments and others asking how you keep your Cybertruck so new looking!
Here's some combination tire clean/shine products from reputable brands that are worth checking out (make sure to follow instructions and not get it on other non-tire surfaces!):
Can the Tesla Cybertruck go through a carwash?
Despite what you may have seen on the internet, the Tesla Cybertruck can of course go through a car wash without issue. In fact, there are some built-in features to make sure the truck can go through all types of car washes.
How to take Tesla Cybertruck through a carwash
Now that we know it's completely safe to use a car wash in a Cybertruck, now it's time to actually go do it! Tesla's are high-tech, and to make sure you don't break something in the car wash there is one small thing you have to do, activate the vehicle's Car Wash Mode.
Activate Car Wash Mode
All Tesla vehicles come with some version of "car wash mode". This helps set your car up for washing and prevents damage from occurring. In the Cybertruck, the Car Wash Mode does the following:
Closes all windows:
Locks the charge port:
Disables windshield wipers:
Disables sentry mode:
Disables walk-away door locks:
Deactivate Car Wash mode
This is really simple. While in Car Wash Mode, there is an "exit" button on the main screen. Simply press that button and it returns to normal operation.
Or, if you want the REALLY easy way, Car Wash Mode automatically disables once you drive over 9 miles an hour. So simply exit the car wash and drive as normal, and your car's features will be fully functional once again!
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