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ProtectaClear Cybertruck FAQ's Here

ProtectaClear

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I consolidated the questions from the first thread and answered all of them HERE. Check it out and let me know if you have more questions.


PROECTACLEAR & CYBERTRUCK FAQ's
What type of coating is ProtectaClear?
ProtectaClear is a blend of polymer resins in a solvent base with anti-oxidants and corrosion inhibitors to protect your Cybertruck long-term. ProtectaClear is UV stable so it will never yellow or discolor like lacquers. It is a thin, lightweight coating that flexes with stainless steel as it expands and contracts with heat so it will not crack or peel. The resins in ProtectaClear leave a flexible, yet durable layer of protection on your Cybertruck.

Will ProtectaClear change the finish of my Cybertruck?
ProtectaClear is a crystal-clear coating that is practically invisible. It allows the 30X stainless steel finish to shine through. That being said, you must prepare the truck diligently and apply when the finish meets your expectations as any imperfections will show through the coating. ProtectaClear offers long-lasting protection against fingerprints, tarnish, surface rust and corrosion caused by environmental conditions.

How do I maintain the finish?
Surfaces coated with ProtectaClear are easier to clean than non-protected surfaces. This means it will be easier to clean off dirt, road salts, bird droppings, etc. Simply clean with a mild soap and water. Suggested cleaners: Windex or a mild soap such as EZ Prep™ Cleaner & Neutralizer and water. Do NOT use solvent-based cleaners or abrasives to clean coated metal. Do not use cleaners with “petroleum distillates”. If you see areas that need a touchup, ProtectaClear® is self-annealing and will blend to itself and can be reapplied as needed without showing.

Can (should?) the coating be waxed over or just left as is?
NO! You will not need to wax over ProtectaClear. Wax will interfere with the self-annealing nature of ProtectaClear so it cannot be touched up without removing the wax. ProtectaClear will maintain the finish long-term and if you do see a spot that needs touch-up, ProtectaClear can easily be reapplied.

How often do I need to reapply ProtectaClear?
Usually every year or two, depending on the abuse you put your Cybertruck through. There is no need to strip the coating to reapply, ProtectaClear® will blend to itself and can be reapplied as needed, even with spot reapplication. The process is as simple as Wash-Dry-Reapply. Simply make sure the surface is clean and apply another layer of ProtectaClear. It is self-annealing, so it blends to itself even years later and maintains the strong layer of protection.

My Cybertruck already has surface rust, how do I clean this off?
Our ERW-XL Stainless Steel Rust Remover and Cleaner works incredibly well to remove surface rust from your Cybertruck. The application is simple, see the instructions HERE. A small bottle comes in our Cybertruck Kit and it is available for separate purchase as well.

Will ProtectaClear damage the non-metal parts of my Cybertruck?
ProtectaClear will not damage other hard surfaces such as glass, hard plastics, paint, etc. Any soft rubber or soft plastics will need to be protected from the coating while wet (during application). Once ProtectaClear has dried, it will not affect these surfaces. To remove from hard surfaces you can use a solvent like xylene or acetone, it will not damage glass or hard plastics. In fact, Everbrite™ Coating (one of our other coatings) would be a great way to protect the hard plastic wheels and fenders on your Cybertruck.

The stainless steel finish gets pretty hot in the sun, what temperature is safe for ProtectaClear?
ProtectaClear is stable up to about 550°F once it is dry. It will gas off (disappear) at approximately 660°F. Unless it is on fire, your Cybertruck will never get this hot.

For application of ProtectaClear, the temperature of the surface should be under 110°F. A good trick if you don’t have a surface thermometer is to hold the back of your hand to the metal. If you cannot hold it there without pain for 10 seconds, then it is too hot to coat. Coating when the surface is too hot will prevent ProtectaClear from self-leveling and can prevent adhesion.

Where do I buy ProtectaClear and what do I purchase specifically for my Cybertruck?
ProtectaClear is sold directly from Everbrite Coatings at Shop.EverbriteCoatings.com. And will ship the next business day directly to your home or business. We have developed a Cybertruck Specialty Kit designed specifically for the Cybertruck. It includes everything you need to clean, prepare and coat your Cybertruck, except for denatured alcohol or acetone which cannot be shipped but is available at most hardware or paint stores or you can purchase on Amazon here. Every kit comes with detailed instructions for preparation, application, maintenance and if necessary removal.

Can I apply ProtectaClear myself or do I have to have a professional apply it?
It is up to you how you want to apply but we sell to hundreds of thousands of homeowners and car enthusiasts who apply our coatings themselves. It is not difficult and we send full instructions with every order. We are simply the coating manufacturer, so we do not provide application services, even locally.

Are there any problems with discoloration due to extended UV exposure?
No, ProtectaClear is UV stable and will remain crystal clear. If you have a painted surface, like a regularly painted car or plastic trim, Everbrite™ Coating is recommended because it has strong UV blockers to protect the color.

Can the vehicle be taken through car washes?
ProtectaClear will keep the stainless much easier to keep clean. It can easily be hand-washed using mild soap and water. You could take your coated Cybertruck through car washes however, harsh chemicals, strong pressure or abrasive pads could damage the coating. Some touchless car washes may be fine, however, avoid excessive water pressure.

How do I apply ProtectaClear on the vertical surfaces of my Cybertruck?
To apply ProtectaClear on vertical surfaces, you simply wipe on the coating with the applicator provided with each order. Follow the instructions provided and ensure that the applicator is soaked but not dripping with coating. If you use too much coating on the applicator, you could get a drip or sag, but they are easily wiped out while the coating is still wet, or with an additional coat. ProtectaClear has excellent adhesion on stainless steel and self-levels as it dries, so small bubbles, or wipe marks disappear. It is also self-annealing so if you miss an area, you can apply additional coating and it will blend to itself.

How long do I wait until after application until I drive my Cybertruck?
You can drive your Cybertruck once ProtectaClear is dry to the touch, however, the coating will be delicate until fully cured which can take up to 4-5 days. Letting the Cybertruck sit in the warm sun will help cure the ProtectaClear faster. Alternatively, enclosing it in a garage with a heater will also help speed the curing process. It is important to allow ProtectaClear to dry to the touch at an even temperature before trying to force cure it. This allows the coating to self-level which eliminates streaking, bubbles, etc.

What if I don’t like the outcome?
ProtectaClear can be removed from unpainted metals with solvents like xylene or a xylene substitute. Wear personal protection. Wet a cloth or soft paper towels with the solvent completely. Move the wet cloth over the coated metal with light pressure. Rubbing hard is not advised. When the coating begins to “melt”, wipe it up and off of the surface. Repeat until the coating is removed.
 

jasper7821

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Looking forward to a Cybertruck review on how well this works for fingerprints and smudges.
 

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Thank you for compiling these questions. I have a few more if you wouldn't mind answering them.

1)How hydrophobic is the product (equivalent to paint clear coat, wax, etc.)?

2a)Can the coating scratch and how visible is it when damaged? It sounds like it's easily repairable, but I'm wondering if the abrasiveness of an automatic brush carwash will micro scratch it or is it harder and more durable than normal clearcoat paints.

2b) Automotive paints can become embedded with bits of metal, causing rusting spots. Will ProtectaClear be susceptible to this same issue? If it will be, can a clay bar be used to remove these embedded contaminants?

3)Can we expect a visible difference between treated and untreated surfaces? If only half a panel was treated, would you be able to see a reflective or visible line?

4)When applied as per provided instructions, what is the typical mil thickness of the product on the surface of the stainless steel?
 
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ProtectaClear

ProtectaClear

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Thank you for compiling these questions. I have a few more if you wouldn't mind answering them.

1)How hydrophobic is the product (equivalent to paint clear coat, wax, etc.)?

2a)Can the coating scratch and how visible is it when damaged? It sounds like it's easily repairable, but I'm wondering if the abrasiveness of an automatic brush carwash will micro scratch it or is it harder and more durable than normal clearcoat paints.

2b) Automotive paints can become embedded with bits of metal, causing rusting spots. Will ProtectaClear be susceptible to this same issue? If it will be, can a clay bar be used to remove these embedded contaminants?

3)Can we expect a visible difference between treated and untreated surfaces? If only half a panel was treated, would you be able to see a reflective or visible line?

4)When applied as per provided instructions, what is the typical mil thickness of the product on the surface of the stainless steel?
1)How hydrophobic is the product (equivalent to paint clear coat, wax, etc.)?
ProtectaClear is not necessarily hydrophobic, it will not bead up and repel water. However it is equivalent to other automotive paints and clear coats in water resistance.

2a)Can the coating scratch and how visible is it when damaged? It sounds like it's easily repairable, but I'm wondering if the abrasiveness of an automatic brush carwash will micro scratch it or is it harder and more durable than normal clearcoat paints.
ProtectaClear is one of the hardest, most durable clear coats on the market. Once cured, it has a pencil hardness of H8 and is difficult to scratch. That being said, all car washes are different and harsh chemicals, strong pressure or abrasive pads could damage the coating. As you mentioned, repairing it is easy with another application of the coating once the vehicle is clean and dry.

2b) Automotive paints can become embedded with bits of metal, causing rusting spots. Will ProtectaClear be susceptible to this same issue? If it will be, can a clay bar be used to remove these embedded contaminants?
No, ProtectaClear will not become embedded with debris, it is too hard for that. It also has strong anti-oxidants and corrosion inhibitors, so it protects against any rusting or corrosion. As to using a clay bar, I do not think it would be necessary and cannot speak to the changes it would cause to the finish.

3)Can we expect a visible difference between treated and untreated surfaces? If only half a panel was treated, would you be able to see a reflective or visible line?
You would be able to see a line where the coating ends if you did half a panel. Also the non-coated section would start to change as it would not be protected from oxygen like the side coated with the ProtectaClear, so over a short time you would see a color differential between the coated and non-coated sections.

4)When applied as per provided instructions, what is the typical mil thickness of the product on the surface of the stainless steel?
PrortectaClear is a very thin coating, so the DFT of one coat would be under half a mil. We are recommending one good coat of ProtectaClear.
 

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What if I don’t like the outcome?
ProtectaClear can be removed from unpainted metals with solvents like xylene or a xylene substitute. Wear personal protection. Wet a cloth or soft paper towels with the solvent completely. Move the wet cloth over the coated metal with light pressure. Rubbing hard is not advised. When the coating begins to “melt”, wipe it up and off of the surface. Repeat until the coating is removed.
Only remaining concern is it not lasting long enough, or maybe there is some reason I don't like it.

Any chance you can add to your video series.
1. Touching up damaged or faded/worn ProtectaClear
2. Removing ProtectaClear

Just so we have an idea long term what we are looking at.

THANKS
 

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Just tried it on the frunk and it dried with streaks. Should I apply another coat?
Can you post a picture? Both so you can get some help from the mfg, and also for those of us who plan on using it. Also did you let it dry the 4 days? It may take a while for the streaks to go away.
 
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ProtectaClear

ProtectaClear

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Just tried it on the frunk and it dried with streaks. Should I apply another coat?
Yep, if it goes on too thin you might see streaks or rainbowing, another coat should even it out. ProtectaClear is self-annealing so it will blend to itself seamlessly.
 
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ProtectaClear

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Only remaining concern is it not lasting long enough, or maybe there is some reason I don't like it.

Any chance you can add to your video series.
1. Touching up damaged or faded/worn ProtectaClear
2. Removing ProtectaClear

Just so we have an idea long term what we are looking at.

THANKS
Absolutely, we have gotten feedback from a few users and will be adding videos with application tips, so we will also add the two topics you suggested as well.
 

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Can you post a picture? Both so you can get some help from the mfg, and also for those of us who plan on using it. Also did you let it dry the 4 days? It may take a while for the streaks to go away.
Tesla Model 2 ProtectaClear Cybertruck FAQ's Here IMG_9156

It dries quickly the result after applying stays the same after 3 days. I will try another coat but pretty sure it will be the same since the first coat has streaks it’s just a coat over it.
My suggestion is to try it on your stainless sink or fridge first.
 

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Practice makes perfect! Lots of good information and feedback!
 
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ProtectaClear

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IMG_9156.jpeg

It dries quickly the result after applying stays the same after 3 days. I will try another coat but pretty sure it will be the same since the first coat has streaks it’s just a coat over it.
My suggestion is to try it on your stainless sink or fridge first.
There is white in the coating, which means it looks like the metal below is not clean enough and that is the streaks showing. The coating will not have white streaks as it is completely clear. Also, from your other pictures in the other thread, you applied it very thick, which could be why there is streaking as well. The coating is thin and should be applied without excess. To be honest, a few people have applied it thick to start and have learned to apply thinner, this is something we will address in our upcoming Application Tips video.

If you would like to call our office I can help further troubleshooting.
 
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IMG_9156.jpeg

It dries quickly the result after applying stays the same after 3 days. I will try another coat but pretty sure it will be the same since the first coat has streaks it’s just a coat over it.
My suggestion is to try it on your stainless sink or fridge first.
Interesting, keep us in the loop both with a 2nd coat and how your call to PC goes and results you get. This coating is my current #1 option for my truck as a $10k PPF wrap just is not in the budget and I like the stainless look.
 

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Interesting, keep us in the loop both with a 2nd coat and how your call to PC goes and results you get. This coating is my current #1 option for my truck as a $10k PPF wrap just is not in the budget and I like the stainless look.
spoke with Jackie from PC support. She mentioned I did a couple of steps incorrectly, including using the wrong Barkeepers Friend. I will re-do the coating following her method.
 

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spoke with Jackie from PC support. She mentioned I did a couple of steps incorrectly, including using the wrong Barkeepers Friend. I will re-do the coating following her method.
Ah glad you got it sorted out, please keep us posted when you re-do the coating and let us know how it went. Some before/after pics would be MUCH appreciated, and bonus points if you do one panel and take a pic before doing the one next to it :)
Good luck!
 
 
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