News that Tesla’s $100,000 Cybertrucks are rusting has been peppering the internet and X, the former Twitter, over the past few days. Yes, stainless steel can rust. There are some things drivers can do to prevent corrosion.
The Cybertruck is made from what
Tesla
calls a 30X cold-rolled stainless steel. Breaking that down a little, cold rolling is a steel processing term that imparts strength. It’s a reason the Cybertruck is bulletproof.
The 30X stainless term is a shorthand, most likely, for a 300 series stainless steel. That’s a variety of stainless with set ranges of chromium and nickel that often include elements such as manganese.
All steels have a base of iron and carbon. Tesla didn’t respond to a request for comment about the grade, processing, or rust issues.
The chromium makes stainless steel stainless by forming a layer of chromium oxide on the surface. That’s the same reason that aluminum doesn’t really rust—there is a layer of aluminum oxide on top of the metal.
Still, corrosion is always possible. Dust and dirt, in particular, can retain moisture and break down the protective film, leading to, yes, rust.
So the solution, in part, is to keep the Cybertruck, or any metal, clean. Other options include a ceramic coating that some high-end car owners use to protect paint and finishes. Vinyl wraps have become popular, too. Ever seen a matte black or iridescent Tesla? That’s likely a wrap. Then there is the old-fashioned option that has worked for generations—paint.
That might not be what Cybertruck owners want to hear, but they all work.
Owners of stainless steel knives and appliances know they can use lemon juice, raw potatoes, or acidic pastes to remove rust. Google and YouTube help with these processes. It’s important to avoid scratching the knives and appliances because that can lead to sites for more rust down the road. Barron’s is unsure if any of that would work for Cybertruck.
Coming into this week’s trading, Tesla stock is down 19.5% this year, almost 25 percentage points worse than the
Nasdaq Composite.
Slowing growth and falling prices, resulting in lower earnings estimates, are responsible for the bulk of the declines. Wall Street expects Tesla to earn about $3.08 a share in 2024, according to FactSet. That was closer to $3.80 to start the year.
Write to Al Root at [email protected]
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