How do you safely clean and apply a ceramic coating to a cybertruck? The Tesla Cybertruck stands out with its ultra-durable stainless steel exoskeleton, but keeping that iconic finish looking sharp requires the right care routine to combat fingerprints, smudges, water spots, and environmental contaminants. Start with regular rinses using pH-neutral car shampoo and soft microfiber tools to avoid scratches, promptly removing bird droppings, tree sap, or road salt to prevent surface issues—Tesla recommends avoiding abrasive cleaners or automatic car washes that could harm the bare metal. For deeper maintenance, specialized stainless steel polishes, protectants, or ceramic coatings help maintain its raw, futuristic gleam while repelling dirt and making future cleanings easier. Check out my YouTube channel for step-by-step video guides on Cybertruck care!
Products Used For The Cybertruck Detail
Always use high quality tools, products and chemicals on your Cybertruck. Its an expensive truck that is worth taking care of. These products are all tested safe on my personal Cybertruck when used as demonstrated. They are all top shelf quality, produce excellent results and very easy to use.
I always try my hardest to get discounts for my viewers. Its a perk for running this channel. The following codes will get you 10% off on most products below. Be sure to apply the code during checkout to get the discount. Hopefully that helps.
Car Supplies Warehouse: Hawaii10 10% off and free shipping over $150
DIY Detail: HAWAIIDETAILING 10% off
Armour: HAWAIIDETAILING 10% off
General Use Cleaners
***Use my Dilution Ratio Calculator to get the perfect mix when making your own detailing products***
Measuring Cup Get one of these. Its worth it. Very sturdy chemical resistant easy to read.
Rinse-Less Wash used as a General Cleaner
Rinseless Wash Tis is the all around best light duty cleaner out there. Have a mixed bottle ready to go. Lubricates the surface to reduce chances of scratching. I always have this near by as it great for fast clean ups.
APC used as a General Cleaner
All Purpose Cleaner Ultra high quality detail grade all purpose cleaner. Perfect for mixing your own detailing products. Great for the tougher clean ups that the rinse-less wash mix would struggle with. That little extra bite that you need. I always have a bottle of this mixed up and near by.
Detailing Chemical Resistant Spray Bottles
Spray Bottle (High Quality) Very high end dual action spray bottle with a great look also.
Spray Bottle (Mid Grade) Middle grade chemical resistant detailing spray bottle. Old reliable.
Wheels
Clean A high-quality wheel cleaning process for a Tesla Cybertruck uses a professional wheel cleaner with iron remover to safely break down brake dust, road grime, and embedded metallic particles. The iron-removing formula chemically reacts with iron deposits from brake dust, loosening them from the wheel surface so they can be rinsed away without aggressive scrubbing. When paired with soft wheel brushes and proper agitation techniques, this process thoroughly cleans the wheel face, barrels, and lug areas while minimizing the risk of scratches. The result is deeply cleaned wheels that look brighter, last longer, and are better protected from long-term contamination.
Wheel Cleaner & Iron Remover Medium to light duty wheel cleaner with iron remover. My favorite wheel cleaner. You only want to use the amount of strength needed to get the job done. More is not always better. If you are doing a maintenance wash, this is the perfect cleaner for you. If your wheels are thrashed you will want to step it up a bit. If thats the case check out my wheels page for products that will suit you.
Tire Brush The perfect semi course bristle tire brush. Comfortable to hols and clean tires well.
Wheel Face Brush Ultra soft bristle large wheel face brush. Makes cleaning wheel faces safe, fast and easy.
Boars Hair Brush Perfect brush for getting those hard to reach areas on the wheels. This is a must have brush to get the job done right. Medium soft bristles safely get the crud off the wheels.
Black Micro Fiber Wheel Towels The best wheel towels on the market. I use black for my wheels. This avoids any cross contamination between detailing processes. If dirty contaminated wheel towels end up on your car or trucks paint, you could have a real issue with marring and scratching. Separate wheel towels prevents this.
Wheel Blow Dryer Great for smaller jobs like wheels, motorcycles etc. This tool blows warm forceful air out the nozzle and does a nice job drying wheels and tires. This can really speed up the wait time before applying a tire dressing.
Coating Applying a long-term tire dressing like Ghost Tire Shine from Armour Detail Supply helps protect and enhance the appearance of the tires on a Tesla Cybertruck. This high-durability formula bonds to the rubber to create a deep, clean finish while protecting against UV rays that can cause fading, browning, and cracking over time. Unlike short-term dressings, it is designed to last through multiple washes and harsh weather while resisting sling onto the paint. The result is a rich, even tire finish that keeps the vehicle looking freshly detailed while extending the life and condition of the rubber.
Tar & Sap Remover Great for removing hard to remove adhesives or any other contamination from the tire prior to applying the coating.
Black Micro Fiber Wheel Towel The best wheel towels on the market. I use black for my wheels. This avoids any cross contamination between detailing processes.
GHOST Ceramic Tire Coating Clear ultra long duration tire sealant. Little on the shiney side but will last a long time. Makes cleaning easy. Only requires light touch ups during routine maintenance washes. I use this on all my personal vehicles.
Dressing Applicator Large 6 Pack Reusable high quality large hex tire dressing applicator. They are off brand but well built. Large size is perfect for large truck tires.
Dressing Applicator Small 6 Pack Reusable high quality small hex tire dressing applicator. They are off brand but well built. Small size is perfect for low profile tires.
OG Detail Brush Soft bristle tire dressing brush to get into the crevices and tough spots to reach on a tire. Be sure to rinse well after use.
Exterior
Decontamination / Wash Process A high-quality wash process for a Tesla Cybertruck safely removes dirt and contaminants while protecting the vehicle’s finish. Using proper techniques such as a pre-rinse, foam pre-soak, and a gentle hand wash with premium wash products helps lift dirt away from the surface to prevent scratches and swirl marks. High-quality soaps break down grime without damaging protective coatings or the stainless-steel exterior. The process is finished with careful drying using clean microfiber towels or filtered air, leaving the truck spotless while preserving its appearance and protective layers.
Iron Remover Armour or DIY Detail How To Use Iron Remover Video Both are great iron removers.
Bucket Wash & Foam Cannon Soap Best foaming soap on the market. Smells like grape and cleans well too. Great lubrication. I have tested them all. This is the winner.
APC (All Purpose Cleaner) Ultra high quality detail grade all purpose cleaner. Perfect for mixing with your soap to increase the cleaning power. Proceed with caution on this. Do not let it dry on the surface. educate yourself before jumping in here. MORE INFO
Measuring Cup Get one of these. Its worth it. Very sturdy chemical resistant easy to read.
Foam Cannon Set the industry standard to what a foam cannon should do. Tough, stable, makes great foam and lasts forever. You can not go wrong with this cannon.
Ultra Plush Wash Mitt This actually will be touching your vehicle. It better be soft and high quality and this mitt checks all the boxes. Get a few so that you are always ready with a clean one.
Drying Towel Large Ultra high quality drying towel. You can dry an entire SUV with this towel. Double sided and super soft.
Drying Towel Small Ultra high quality drying towel. Dry the smaller hard to reach areas with this towel. Double sided and super soft.
Ceramic Coating A high-quality ceramic coating on a Tesla Cybertruck creates a durable, hydrophobic protective layer that bonds to the truck’s stainless-steel exterior. This coating helps repel water, dirt, and road grime so the vehicle stays cleaner and is much easier to wash. It also protects against contaminants like bird droppings, tree sap, and road salt while reducing fingerprints and water spots that are common on bare stainless steel. In addition, ceramic coatings provide resistance to minor scratches, UV exposure, and oxidation, helping the Cybertruck maintain its appearance and finish for years with less maintenance.
Bar Keepers Friend The secret sauce for cleaning the raw unprotected stainless steel on a Tesla Cybertruck. Bar keepers friend takes the stainless back to like new with very little effort. Due to the strong cleaning power of this product be careful to protect surrounding plastics, rubbers and trims. Apply in small sections in a circular pattern. The goal is to clean the metal not polish. Make enough passes being certain that you have achieved an even finish. Clean, inspect with a detailing light and repeat as needed to achieve an even beautiful finish. The Cybertruck comes from the factory with a circular sanded brushed style finish. These sanding marks will remain after the job is done. This finish technique was designed to even out the appearance of the stainless from panel to panel. Do not attempt to polish this away unless you are going for the mirror polished look. That is a whole different strategy that requires sanding and polishing. I went for stock new look with this detail.
Microfiber Polishing Pads Used to apply the barkeepers friend. Get at least this pack of 6. You will need them.
Mechanical DA Polisher Best polisher in the business. I have never met anyone that does not like this machine. Extremely low fatigue, low vibration, low noise polisher. Excellent results every time. This is the best of the best.
Medium Polisher Waffle Pad Medium cut waffle pad for a DA polisher. Gold Standard Polishing Pads unique design helps to distribute the right amount of product throughout the pad and also provides complete coverage on flat, rounded, and angled car surfaces
Window Cleaner Ammonia based window cleaner is the ultimate solution for removing the bar keepers friend. First pass to remove the bulk of the product. Continue flipping towel and re-applying windex until the panel is streak free. Don’t over work the area with a soiled towel. Flip to a new side and reapply until you get the results you want.
Yellow Microfiber Ultra Quality Buffing Towels Great quality towels for buffing off the bar keepers friend. I went through about 25 towels on this detail. Don’t get caught with out enough. They can be washed and reused if you ever do this again. I do not recommend using them for anything else after this process.
Panel Prep DIY Detail or Armour 2 equally good panel preps. This will strip off any remaining residue from the cleaning process prepping the panel for a ceramic coating. It is critical to have a perfectly clean surface for the coating to have the best chance at adhering properly. Armour wins with the mint smell.
DIY 5 Year Ceramic Coating A good solid 5 year ceramic coating. Do not apply coating in direct sunlight. The surface should be cool to the touch. Choose a good weather day and a well shaded area, preferably in a garage. This ceramic coating is very easy to apply but you have to have reasonable working conditions. True longevity is still unknown as this is a new process on the stainless steel surface. Only time will tell how long it truly lasts. I am confidant with proper care and maintenance this should give us a good lond service life. Ivan from DIY Detail says this 5 year coating was formulated to both work well and last a long time on the Cybertruck. I believe him.
After Coating Spray Protection After a reasonble cure time I like to apply a light duty spray sealant over the new ceramic coating. This is best used when you are unable to keep the truck indoors overnight while the coating cures. The sealant acts as a sacrificial layer helping to repel any water or contamination that may get on the truck during the curing process. Keep in mind that ANY contamination that makes its way onto an uncured ceramic coating could possibly have a negative effect on it. Pick a good day and start early.
Interior
Properly caring for the interior of a Tesla Cybertruck with a high-quality interior ceramic coating and a professional-grade cleaner helps preserve the materials and keep the cabin looking new. Interior ceramic coatings bond to surfaces like leather, vinyl and plastic to create a protective barrier that resists stains, spills, UV damage, and everyday wear. This protection also helps repel dirt and oils from hands, making surfaces easier to clean and reducing fading or cracking over time. When paired with a high-quality interior cleaner, it safely removes dust, body oils, and grime without damaging delicate materials, ensuring the interior stays fresh, clean, and well-protected for years.
Clean
APC (All Purpose Cleaner) Ultra high quality detail grade all purpose cleaner. Perfect for mixing your own detailing products. Great for pedals and floor matts.
Detail Brush Ultra soft bristle detailing brush designed to easliy spread product onto an uneven surface. Chemical resistance adds to the durability of this brush.
Spray Bottle (High Quality) Very high end dual action spray bottle with a great look also.
Spray Bottle (Mid Grade) Middle grade chemical resistant detailing spray bottle. Old reliable.
Wall Mounted Vacuum & Pressure Washer My favorite kit. I have seen a lot of setups but this is by far my favorite. Excellent performance and looks awesome too.
Interior Cleaner with UV Protection High quality ready to use interior cleaner. Smells great, cleans great and prides UV protection as well. Very easy and safe to use.
Blue Micro Fiber Interior Towels Blue are my interior towels. Don’t mix up your towels and cross contaminate. Have a color system to avoid this.
Protect
Interior Ceramic Coating Long lasting easy to apply sealant that repells water and reduces the possibility of stains. Reapply as needed to keep the protection active.
Blue Micro Fiber Interior Towels Blue are my interior towels. Don’t mix up your towels and cross contaminate. Have a color system to avoid this.
Garage Tools
Wall Mounted Pressure Washer & Vacuum My favorite kit. I have seen a lot of setups but this is by far my favorite. Excellent performance and looks awesome too.
Wash Buckets, Dollies & Labels Having nice bucket system makes the job easier and more enjoyable. You can have 1 home depot bucket with a bunch of mitts in it and still get the job done. I want more than that. I like the cool labels also. I stop and look at them occasionally and like what I see. Thats what really matters.
Detailing Lights
Scangrip MultiMatch 3 Connect The powerful MULTIMATCH 3 CONNECT work light provides up to 3000 lumen and made for inspecting large surfaces during polishing, painting, cleaning operations, and colour matching. The work light has a unique CCT SCAN function that helps you find the ideal colour temperature for your task. This function allows the light to sweep through the entire colour temperature spectrum (2500K to 6500K) and it can be locked when the optimal temperature is found. This guarantees accurate colour matching and paint defect detection. The 5-step dimmer also lets you adjust the light to five different levels.
With the BLUETOOTH lighting control app, you can control and adjust both the light output and the color temperatures, providing convenience and flexibility in managing your lighting setup.Medium Magnetic
Scangrip Lighting Tripod A very stable robust tripod specifically designed to mount the detailing lights. This will extend easily to above the roof of a large SUV. A must have if you plan to get the Multimatch 3.
Scangrip Lighting Tripod A very stable robust tripod specifically designed to mount the detailing lights. This will extend easily to above the roof of a large SUV. A must have if you plan to get the Multimatch 3.
Scangrip MulitMatch R Smaller version hand held shop light can be mounted to a tripod or magnetically mounted to any metal surface. Great light output and very useful during a paint correction. Internal rechargeable battery can be used to charge mobile devices also.
Scangrip SunMatch 4 SUNMATCH 4 is a rechargeable and handy LED work light. SUNMATCH 4 features a unique, stepless CCT SCAN function. By activating the CCT SCAN function, the handlamp will automatically scan the surface of the object with the entire color temperature spectrum ranging from 2500K to 6500K. At any point, the CCT SCAN function can be locked, and in this way, you will be able to customize the light to the specific task. This provides optimum conditions for the most accurate colour match and highlighting and discovering paint defects. SUNMATCH 4 also features stepless dimmer function in the range of 10 % to 100 %. A spotlight for inspection is also included at the top. Up to 10 hours operating time per charge. This is my favorite hand held color match light. I tend to pick this up the most.
Interior Light This is a must have if you are serious about detailing interiors. No matter how much light is in your garage there is always going to be dark shaded areas around the interior. This solves that problem. If you don’t plan to clean your interior often I would pass on this. If you clean you interior often in your garage I would pick this up.
My Favorite Cybertruck Accessories
Interior
Floor Matts High quality custom Cybertruck floor matts are a must. Keep that truck carpet looking new. Removes the worry of hopping in with dirty feet on those 4X4 sessions.
Screen Protectors
Roof Shade Keeps the sun from beating down on your head. Makes the cabin a lot more comfortable on those sunny days.
Windshield Shade
Cup Holder Turns a small cup holder into a big one. Holds large water bottles and flasks. Must have.
Truck Bed
Storage Bins Custom made to fit perfectly in the bed of the cybertruck. I did noy know that I needed these until I got them. They make your truck bed highly organized.
Cargo Divider Keep things from flying around when accelerating or braking. Locks cargo in place. Another great organizational tool. Awesome product.
Mountain Bike Tailgate Protector The nicest mountain bike tailgate protector I have ever seen. It can’t get nicer than this. Its not possible. Custom made for the cybertruck.
Frunk
Cyber Cooler Fits in the frunk proving a custom fit yeti style cooler. Holds plenty of stuff. Looks awesome too.
Frunk Padded Seat Turn your frunk into a shaded seat with these comfortable seat cushions. when the frunk opens proving shade.
Exterior