Regardless of when it finally arrives, the Cybertruck is closer to production today than it’s ever been. That’s not saying much for the often-delayed pickup but with that day looming large in the future, we’re learning more about little details surrounding its unique body.
The polarizing pickup truck splits opinions on a number of factors. Two of the most dividing are its general shape and the stainless steel body panels used for the exterior. Speaking to ‘Ride the Lighting podcast’, Tesla’s head of design Frank von Holhausen let us in on a few interesting details we hadn’t learned before.
According to von Holhausen, the stainless panels can be buffed out should they get scratched. “We spent a lot of time developing a finish that can be — the stainless is incredibly hard — so if in the event that there is a scratch, we do have a process that you could yourself basically buff it and remove the scratch as well and return to the basic finish that’s on the stainless,” he said.
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Von Holzhausen also addressed the idea that it might be a similar situation as re-graining, a technique used on some stainless steel including the panels found on a DeLorean. “It’s a different process. It’s not the same as the brush finish on a refrigerator or a DeLorean or something. There is an intentional finish that we apply to it. And it is able to be cured or fixed, or in the event that you know it’s going to be something pretty intense that does actually scratch the surface.”
All of the time dedicated to the stainless finish is part of the reason that there’s no plan (at least not a public one) to offer the Cybertruck in any color other than silver. After again noting that the stainless is incredibly hard he says that putting a softer layer on top of it would only diminish the end goal. “Wrapping is always an option” of course he says.
It’s plausible too that Tesla could unveil other colors or finishes at a later date too. One thing is for certain, there is no shortage of accessories to go with it the moment that it finally gets into the hands of customers. So at least they won’t all look identical.