--- title: "Add ‘Magnets’ to the List of Things That Damage the Tesla Cybertruck" description: "The owner of a Tesla Cybertruck learned a chemistry lesson the hard way when they removed magnets they'd left on their vehicle for a month." date: "2024-11-21" modified: "2024-11-21" authors: - name: "Byron Hurd" job_title: "Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/byron-hurd" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/add-magnets-to-list-of-things-that-damage-the-tesla-cybertruck" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Tesla News" tags: - "Cybertruck" - "Electric Vehicle" - "pickup" - "Tesla" --- # Add ‘Magnets’ to the List of Things That Damage the Tesla Cybertruck ![Getty stock image of the front of a Tesla Cybertruck with alphabetic magnets photoshopped onto the front, spelling "BAD IDEA."]() *\John M. Chase/Getty Images, The Drive\* A [Tesla Cybertruck]() owner who used a sheet magnet to promote their personal business found out the hard way that stainless steel may not *stay* so stainless when you cover it in certain materials. Upon removing the magnet after a month on the vehicle, the owner discovered not only superficial scratches from debris, but signs of full-blown galvanic corrosion. In this case, the corrosion progressed to the point where the Cybertruck's stainless-steel body actually appears to have pitted. How? The likely answer is that road debris containing metallic particles accumulated between the magnet and body, based on the [Cybertruck Owners Club forum thread]() first surfaced by *[Torque News]()*. Contact between dissimilar metals can result in corrosion once an electrolyte (such as water) is introduced, But I'm neither a chemist nor a surface detailing expert, so for the longer explanation, I'm going to defer to somebody who knows a thing or two about rusty car bodies: [Canada](). Making matters worse, that process can be *accelerated* in some cases by the presence of a magnetic field. How do magnets work again, exactly? Oh, right. Other Cybertruck owners chimed in with their own successes and failures, and many noted no problems whatsoever using sheet magnets with full vinyl backing. One member reported similar damage on their truck's tailgate; fortunately for them, it was caused by a much smaller magnet. ![A Tesla Cybertruck electric pickup truck is being charged in Mackinaw City, Michigan, USA on an overcast day.]() **benedek/Getty Images** The short version is this: You shouldn't stick metallic magnets on your [Tesla]() Cybertruck. In fact, according to one participant in the discussion associated with a company that is developing outer panel covers for the stainless-steel pickup, it's not wise to leave *anything* on the Cybertruck permanently, especially if the surface wasn't thoroughly cleaned and prepped first. This is even more important with magnets than with vinyl, for instance, which clings more tightly to the surface and won't move with incidental contact. A magnet that slides from its original position will be dragged through surface debris, introducing new opportunities for blemishes. But hey, at least we can add one more item to the [list of things]() you [shouldn't do]() to your Tesla Cybertruck. *Got tips? Send ’em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories. He brings a light, punchy style to all of his content, believing that there's plenty out there to be laughed at—himself included. Born and raised in Maryland but now based just a stone's throw from Detroit, Byron is an auto enthusiast and generalist who enjoys building and tinkering with things of all kinds, from cars, computers and digital cityscapes, to the new garage that will soon house his fleet (a CT4-V Blackwing, a JK Wrangler and an NA Miata). Inspired by an early love of rollercoasters, Byron quickly caught the high-performance driving itch. He's been tracking and auto-crossing his cars since 2007. In his downtime, Byron enjoys reading, playing city builders, and studying the history of the Motor City. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()