Body Structure Materials and Allowed Operations

Describes the materials used in the vehicle body structure and provides guidelines on the operations allowed on each material.

Materials Used in the Body Structure

The body structure of a Cybertruck is composed of components made from varying grades of aluminum or steel. Metal components might be stamped, cast, or extruded. The materials of the components in the repair area determine the type of operations that can be performed.

Use the table and diagrams below to determine the component material and the allowed operations before beginning a repair. For each type of material, additional repair guidelines can be found in the appropriate section of this document.

Table 1. Allowed Operations on Body Structure Materials
Material Allowed Welding Methods Cold Repairs Allowed Heat Repairs Allowed Maximum Heat Heat Cycles Allowed
Spot Welding GMA Welding
Plug Butt Joint

6xxx Aluminum

212°F (100°C) Any

Extruded Aluminum

212°F (100°C) Any

Cast Aluminum

212°F (100°C) Any

Mild Steel

1200°F (650°C) 90 seconds (2 times)

High-Strength Steel

1200°F (650°C) 90 seconds (2 times)

Ultra High-Strength Steel

Stainless Steel

Approved

Approved only as specified below

Not Approved

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
Refer to “Approved Gas Metal Arc (GMA) Welders and Welding Wire,” for a list of approved GMA welders and GMA welding wires.
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
Refer to “Approved Squeeze-Type Resistance Spot (STRS) Welders,” for a list of approved squeeze-type resistance spot welders.

Body Structure Materials Diagrams

Use the color codes below in conjunction with the diagrams to determine the component material.

Table 2. Body Structure Materials Color Codes

6xxx Aluminum

Extruded Aluminum

Cast Aluminum

Mild Steel

High-Strength Steel

Ultra High-Strength Steel

Stainless Steel

Figure 1. Front Exploded View
Figure 2. Rear Exploded View
Figure 3. Top
Figure 4. Bottom

General Repair Limitations

Refer to Structural Repair Guidelines for information on allowed repair operations.
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
A damaged part that has an attached crash sensor cannot be repaired; replace the damaged part instead.

Safety Systems

Do not perform repairs on damage to body or structural components in the vicinity of safety related components such as airbags, seatbelts, impact sensors, intrusion beams etc. (replace the damaged body or structural component instead).

Adhesive Bonds and Factory Welds

If any factory adhesive bonds are compromised due to the original damage or during repairs, replace the panel.

Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
Do not heat the adhesive on a bonded panel above 100°C (212°F) unless that panel is being removed. Heating the adhesive above 100°C (212°F) can weaken the adhesive bond and compromise vehicle crash integrity.

If any factory welds are compromised from the original damage or during repairs they must be replaced with an approved replacement fastening method which can be found in the repair procedure for the panel in question.

Paintless Dent Repair

As long as holes are not drilled in any panel for tooling access, paintless dent repair techniques are an acceptable method for repairing cosmetic panel damage.

Repair Guidelines for 6xxx Series Aluminum

6xxx series aluminum has a yield strength range from 230-280 MPa. Follow the guidelines below when repairing or replacing components composed of 6xxx series aluminum.

  • Repairs can be performed to address panel deformation and restore the panel to its original dimensions unless the damage includes creases or kinks. If the damage includes creases or kinks, replace the component.
  • Sectioning or partial replacement is acceptable only at approved locations and as specified in the repair procedure.
  • GMA welding can be performed to repair tears no greater than 75 mm in length.
  • GMA welding can be performed to repair a hole on closure panels (doors, hoods, and liftgates) so long as the following conditons are met:
    • The hole is 12 mm or less in diameter.
    • There are no panels underlying any portion of the hole.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    If the hole is larger than 12 mm in diameter, or there are panels underlying any portion of the hole, contact Tesla Collision Repair for assistance.
  • GMA welding can be performed to repair a hole on the Body Side Outer so long as the following conditons are met:
    • The hole is 8 mm or less in diameter.
    • There are no panels underlying any portion of the hole.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    If the hole is larger than 8 mm in diameter, or there are panels underlying any portion of the hole, contact Tesla Collision Repair for assistance.
  • GMA plug welding and butt joint welding can only be performed as specified in the Tesla Collision Repair Manual using approved weld wire.
  • Weld repairs can only be performed on panels less than or equal to 1.2 mm in thickness, unless otherwise specified in the Tesla Collision Repair Manual.
  • After repairs are completed, check the repaired area for micro-cracking with dye penetrant.

Repair Guidelines for Extruded Aluminum

Repairs on extruded or cast aluminum components can only be performed as specified per component in the Tesla Collision Repair Manual.

Repair Guidelines for Cast Aluminum

Repairs on extruded or cast aluminum components can only be performed as specified per component in the Tesla Collision Repair Manual.

Repair Guidelines for Mild Steel

Mild Steel has a tensile strength less than 270 MPa. Follow the guidelines below when repairing or replacing Mild Steel components.

  • Cold repairs can be performed to repair cosmetic damage, unless the damage includes kinks. If the damage includes kinks, the component might need to be replaced.
  • Controlled use of heat can be used to repair cosmetic damage. Do not exceed 1200°F (650°C). Apply the heat a maximum of 2 times, for up to 90 seconds.
  • Sectioning or partial replacement is allowed only at approved locations.
  • Mild steel can be used as a sleeve or backing plate when instructed to do so in a specific sectioning procedure in the Tesla Collision Repair Manual.
  • Resistance spot welding can be used to replace factory spot welds, where applicable.
  • GMA plug welding and GMA butt joint welding can be performed.
  • GMA welding can be performed to repair a hole on closure panels (doors and liftgates) or the Body Side Outer so long as the following conditons are met:
    • The hole is 12 mm or less in diameter.
    • There are no panels underlying any portion of the hole.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    If the hole is larger than 12 mm in diameter, or there are panels underlying any portion of the hole, contact Tesla Collision Repair for assistance.

Repair Guidelines for High-strength Steel

High-Strength Steel has a tensile strength range from 300–700 MPa. Follow the guidelines listed below when repairing or replacing High-Strength Steel components.

  • Cold repairs can be performed to repair cosmetic damage, unless the damage includes creases or kinks. If the damage includes creases or kinks, replace the component.
  • Controlled use of heat can be used to repair cosmetic damage. Do not allow the component temperature to exceed 1200°F (650°C). Apply heat a maximum of 2 times or for a combined total of less than 90 seconds. If the repair cannot be performed within these guidelines, replace the component.
  • Sectioning or partial replacement is acceptable only at approved locations and as specified in the repair procedure.
  • Resistance spot welding can be used to replace factory spot welds, where applicable and as specified in the Tesla Collision Repair Manual.
  • GMA welding can only be performed as specified in the Tesla Collision Repair Manual.

Repair Guidelines for Ultra High-strength Steel

Ultra High-Strength Steel (also known as UHSS) has a tensile strength greater than 800 MPa. Follow the guidelines below when replacing Ultra High-Strength Steel components.

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
For best results, use high quality tungsten carbide or Boron drill bits in combination with a drill equipped with a C-frame when drilling through components made of Ultra High-Strength Steel.
  • Do not attempt to repair Ultra High-Strength Steel components, unless explicitly allowed by the Part Repairability Guidelines.
  • Sectioning or partial replacement is allowed only at approved locations and as specified in the repair procedure.
  • Do not use Ultra High-Strength Steel for a backing plate, unless specified in the Tesla Collision Repair Manual.
  • Resistance spot welding can be used to replace factory spot welds, where applicable and as specified in the Tesla Collision Repair Manual.
  • GMA welding can only be performed as specified in the Tesla Collision Repair Manual.

Repair Guidelines for Stainless Steel

Repairs involving welding cannot be performed on stainless steel components.

When removing scratches from the exterior body panels of the Cybertruck:

  • Light scratches can be removed by a professional with an understanding of how to refinish the surrounding metal surfaces following the procedures outlined in Removing Light Scratches: Method 2.
  • Deep scratches can be removed by a professional with an understanding of how to refinish the surrounding metal surfaces following the procedures outlined in Removing Deep Scratches: Method 2.