My "adventure truck" was destroyed by suncreen...

[Thebandit]

What exact product did you use?

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[kelr316]

Tesla’s have the same issue. Seems like it is more of a problem with “vegan” leather not actual leather.

 

[GoBlueR1T]

fwiw, this happened to me last summer, and Rivian replaced it under warranty without any pushback. Maybe I got lucky. I wasn't sure what caused it, but I wondered if it was from sunscreen that had been on my leg. I try to be careful about chemicals on the interior, but it does seem like the finish should hold up better than it did from a bit of secondary transfer of sunscreen.

I've noticed the last few months that the coating on the driver door handle of my 2023 R1T was starting to look bad...like REALLY bad. Bubbling and peeling like old paint bad.

I submitted a ticket and brought it into the El Segundo service center where they told me that it was going to be $950 to fix and they expected me to pay it out of pocket because it was regular "wear and tear" from touching it with sunscreen. I contested it and they still closed my ticket after telling me they would "run it up the chain" and ghosting me.

On what planet is the interior of a 3-year-old $100k "adventure" truck peeling and bubbling from sunscreen "wear and tear"?! It seems like this is a known problem from other forum posts, except the other owners had nicer service centers who actually replaced it under warranty.

Is there anything else I can do?

The Rivian rep even had the nerve to suggest I just not wear sunscreen in my car even though we live in SoCal and I've had skin cancer

 

[Count Orlok]

That crap's gonna eat through the hull

 

[jeeden]

So the backcountry ultralight backpacking world is about as adventurous as you can get, and if you want to watch a lot of people get excited fast, go near some of that gear with DEET-based bug repellent or certain sunblocks, and they will freak out because it will melt a lot of the ultralight fabrics out there, which are $$$. (best to stick to picardin and permethrin repellents, which are more expensive, but work better anyway).

I think I remember the car detailing crowd having a similar paranoia about it. Sorry it happened to you. I definitely want sun protection for me and my family, but I have started pivoting to more UV clothing and away from sunblock because of longevity of protection, expense, impacts like this, I guess it destroys the reefs, not as water resistant, etc.

I guess now that the european mineral ones that work better have been approved in the US it might become less of an issue...

Here is an article on the car interiors... https://thehogring.com/2025/06/23/sunscreen-damage-car-interior/

 

[Robot Overlord]

So the backcountry ultralight backpacking world is about as adventurous as you can get, and if you want to watch a lot of people get excited fast, go near some of that gear with DEET-based bug repellent or certain sunblocks, and they will freak out because it will melt a lot of the ultralight fabrics out there, which are $$$. (best to stick to picardin and permethrin repellents, which are more expensive, but work better anyway).

I think I remember the car detailing crowd having a similar paranoia about it. Sorry it happened to you. I definitely want sun protection for me and my family, but I have started pivoting to more UV clothing and away from sunblock because of longevity of protection, expense, impacts like this, I guess it destroys the reefs, not as water resistant, etc.

I guess now that the european mineral ones that work better have been approved in the US it might become less of an issue...

Here is an article on the car interiors... https://thehogring.com/2025/06/23/sunscreen-damage-car-interior/

Thanks for sharing the article. I’ve been the victim of sunscreen and DEET damage to / melting of some of our backpack water resistant inner lining surfaces.

 

[Thebandit]

So the backcountry ultralight backpacking world is about as adventurous as you can get, and if you want to watch a lot of people get excited fast, go near some of that gear with DEET-based bug repellent or certain sunblocks, and they will freak out because it will melt a lot of the ultralight fabrics out there, which are $$$. (best to stick to picardin and permethrin repellents, which are more expensive, but work better anyway).

I think I remember the car detailing crowd having a similar paranoia about it. Sorry it happened to you. I definitely want sun protection for me and my family, but I have started pivoting to more UV clothing and away from sunblock because of longevity of protection, expense, impacts like this, I guess it destroys the reefs, not as water resistant, etc.

I guess now that the european mineral ones that work better have been approved in the US it might become less of an issue...

Here is an article on the car interiors... https://thehogring.com/2025/06/23/sunscreen-damage-car-interior/

Yeah that's why I asked what OP used. DEET-containing products will melt plastics. I suspect it was inspect repellant and not the sunscreen.

 

[Rizzian]

Sunscreen or bug spray will do that to any rubberized/textured finish on any vehicle. Mine did the same thing after one drive with deep woods Off on my legs.
That said, if a bumpy finish on the inside of your door handle is enough to "ruin" your vehicle, you may want to reconsider whether you're really the adventurous type.

 

[loqueid]

It looks rugged! Sounds like it's living up the adventure!

Honestly, I have no dog in the fight and my opinion, nor others, matters. Keep talking to Rivian.

However, thank you for the warning, everyone. I'll be sure to take care of my trucks interiors. My suggestion would to bring things into the shop but NEVER proactively give a reason why it may be happening. Some service persons will be honest with you and help you, others will find an excuse to put the blame on something else.

 

[thehorsegirl]

What exact product did you use?

Just regular drugstore sunscreens, mostly the ones from Trader Joe's. I have always used those and never had it eat into any of the other cars I've driven.

 

[mclark2112]

My watch band chipped the heck out of the "chrome" strip on the handle. I put a piece of clear tape over at after I noticed what was causing it. I will cover high touch areas in my R2 with some sort of clear tape on day 1.

 

[rdevillers]

Tesla’s have the same issue. Seems like it is more of a problem with “vegan” leather not actual leather.

My 2015 Model S did this on the steering wheel buttons within a few months. But our newer ones don’t have this problem.

I also had a couple BMW’s where this happened. It was rubberized paint that was supposed to give a soft touch finish. Unfortunately sunscreen took it right off.

 

[Judd]

PSA…don’t spray deet around them where the overspray can contact anything. A buddy ruined a dash in a bassboat that way.

Stuff is nasty.

 

[thehorsegirl]

Sunscreen or bug spray will do that to any rubberized/textured finish on any vehicle. Mine did the same thing after one drive with deep woods Off on my legs.
That said, if a bumpy finish on the inside of your door handle is enough to "ruin" your vehicle, you may want to reconsider whether you're really the adventurous type.

Seriously? Are you really trying to turn this into a dick measuring contest over who is more "adventurous?"

I work my truck hard, which is why I want something that will hold up long term. At the 3 year mark it shouldn't be showing this level of wear. I'm sorry your car peeled after one drive. That's really not okay either.

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