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  1. joebruin77

    Anyone repair/repaint faded clearcoat on the carbon fiber rear spoiler?

    I am guessing since you are in the UK, then there must be local after market manufacturers that offer quality spoilers. I would post a request for a recommendation in the UK section of TMC. I definitely recommend the spoiler I bought from RPM Tesla: https://www.rpmtesla.com/ IMO, it is...
  2. joebruin77

    Adhesive License Plate on PPF

    FWIW, I have had my OEM license plate holder taped onto the PPF on my 2018 P3D since Dec of 2018. The car is parked outside 24/7. Despite the high summer temps where I live and weekly car washes, the license plate holder is still adhering to the PPF just fine. No signs at all of it being the...
  3. joebruin77

    Matte PPF (Paint Protection Film)

    I have had Xpel PPF for the past 5 1/2 years and it has held up really well. I think the key is to wash it every 1-2 weeks. If you get it ceramic coated, it should be very easy to maintain. Just follow the instructions on how to take care of the Matte PPF from the manufacturer. You can also...
  4. joebruin77

    Chrome window trim permanent stains

    Sorry you are dealing with this issue. I have seen several posts about the same or similar issue over the years on TMC. I think the stains and discoloration is due to the car previously being washed with a high pH soap. Because it is harder to clean a car without actually making contact with...
  5. joebruin77

    Bug removal, front bumper, how often

    It's hard to know for sure, but I suspect 3 possible things: 1) Iron fallout - the dark spots could be little pieces of iron that landed on your car's paint. An iron fallout remover, such as Carpro's IronX, should help remove these spots. First wash your car to get as much dirt off as you...
  6. joebruin77

    We don't all have budget for protective wraps & ceramic coating

    Jescar Ultra Lock Plus is a newer version of Jescar Power Lock sealant that is infused with ceramic. It is an excellent sealant and should provide at least 4- 6 months worth of protection. That said, just like any other ceramic-infused sealant, it will not protect your car's paint against...
  7. joebruin77

    Do you hand wash or car wash your Tesla?

    I am a huge fan of ONR and other rinseless washes. Glad you liked your first experience with it. Not sure if you are already doing this, but I find that a really important first step in doing a rinseless wash is to "pretreat" the panel you are going to wash with some of the ONR solution. I use...
  8. joebruin77

    Do you hand wash or car wash your Tesla?

    My top 3 favorite ceramic drying aids: 1) Xtreme Solutions Topper: https://www.amazon.com/Xtreme-Solutions-Topper-Lubricant-PROTECTANT/dp/B0CFHTT51Z 2) Armour Detail Supply Amplify Ceramic Detail Spray: https://armourdetailsupply.com/products/amplify 3) Technicians Choice Ceramic Detail...
  9. joebruin77

    Do you hand wash or car wash your Tesla?

    The gauntlet is a plush, soft towel designed for drying. If you are applying a spray wax or detail spray, I would suggest something with a shorter pile, such as The Rag Company Eagle Edgeless 350 or the Edgeless 300. You could order a couple of each and then see which one you like better. I...
  10. joebruin77

    Do you hand wash or car wash your Tesla?

    You can wash microfiber towels in the washing machine, but make sure you only dry on the lowest temperature / heat setting and never use fabric softener. High drying temps and fabric softener (despite the name) will both make the ends of your microfibers harder, not softer. So the next time you...
  11. joebruin77

    Removing wax prior to application of ceramic spray

    That Meguiars soap appears to be a new and unique type of product. It does indeed contain abrasives, similar to a light polish. I personally would not want any polishing abrasives in my car soap. If you are looking for a stronger car soap that will remove waxes or sealants, I would suggest one...
  12. joebruin77

    Bug removal, front bumper, how often

    Bug guts are highly acidic, just like bird poop, which is why both bug guts and bird poop should be removed from your car's paint asap to prevent etching in your car's clearcoat. Personally, when I get home, if I see either bug guts or bird poop, I spray down the guts or poop with waterless...
  13. joebruin77

    applied a bit too much ceramic coating

    Sounds you might have some high spots that were not wiped off completely. If the coating has cured for more than 12 hours, then most likely you will need to use a machine polisher to polish off the coating and reapply it. Here is a helpful article from IGL coatings about how to avoid...
  14. joebruin77

    Questions on battery percentage and mileage.

    I am not sure if this applies to you, but this is from the Model 3 Owner's Manual in the section about the airbags and front passenger detection senor: "To make sure the sensing system can correctly detect occupancy status, eliminate the following: Aftermarket items attached to, or sitting on...
  15. joebruin77

    Questions on battery percentage and mileage.

    Not sure if you already saw this post by someone with a similar question, but you might find some suggestions/ideas that apply to your situation. One interesting suggestion was that excessive vehicle standby power consumption may be due to a faulty sensor that detects if someone is seated in...
  16. joebruin77

    Any recommendations to help make an automated car wash a less stressful experience?

    Thanks for sharing your opinion and for the link to the blog post. I am certainly open minded to learning something new and/or learning I was incorrect. I searched the blog post and I did not see anything specifically about curing time. I understand older paints may have been more durable...
  17. joebruin77

    Any recommendations to help make an automated car wash a less stressful experience?

    I am pretty sure that is outdated advice. That used to be the case for cars manufactured 20 or 30 years ago. But with today's more advanced paints, the paint is fully cured shortly after it leaves the factory. IMO, there are reasons to avoid car washes and to choose to do a hand wash yourself...
  18. joebruin77

    Do Tesla SC's apply window tint?

    I would suggest contacting your local Tesla retail store or Service Center and ask them for a referral to a local tint vendor. That is what I did and they referred me to a shop with a ton of experience tinting Teslas. There are two benefits. First, you will likely be referred to a competent...
  19. joebruin77

    First Time EV Buyer (Help...)

    My wife and I both drive EV’s and will never drive an ICE car again. In addition to having a home EVSE, I also recommend making sure there is a Tesla Service Center relatively close to you. I personally would not buy a Tesla if I lived more than 30-45 minutes from the nearest Service Center.
  20. joebruin77

    Questions on battery percentage and mileage.

    Do you need Sentry mode engaged while parked at home? If possible, shut off Sentry mode and you will cut your energy loss nearly in half.
  21. joebruin77

    Where and where not to apply wax

    I've heard really good things about Bill Hamber products. Are you using the Bill Hamber Double Speed Wax? I bet it is a great wax. In case you are curious, I found the Safety Data Sheet for this wax. If I am reading it correctly, this wax is 30-50% hydrocarbons. I think it is similar in that...
  22. joebruin77

    Where and where not to apply wax

    I am familiar with that Youtube detailing expert Jimbo. He has done some very helpful and informative videos. Many of his videos focus on doing a "torture test" of applying various chemicals to the paint. These tests do a good job of evaluating the chemical resistance properties of waxes...
  23. joebruin77

    Where and where not to apply wax

    The only paint protection product on the market that offers any meaningful protection from rock chips is PPF. It's not 100% effective, but it definitely helps and the self-healing properties of PPF are pretty amazing. That said, ceramic coatings do offer more protection compared to waxes and...
  24. joebruin77

    Where and where not to apply wax

    IMO, you can use wax on glass. Just make sure to buff it off completely so that no residue is left behind. As for putting wax on black trim, it really depends on the specific wax you are using. I suggest you check with the manufacturer and see if they approve applying your particular wax on...
  25. joebruin77

    Skipping/Chattering wipers.. Tried and true remedy?

    Has anyone had their wiper blades simply replaced by Tesla Mobile Service? How much was the total cost? Thank you, Joe
  26. joebruin77

    front camera fog frustration

    I don't remember if the seal is around all the edges or only some of them. Also, I don't know if you can see and inspect the seal without taking the cover off. I am pretty sure the mobile tech had to remove the cover around the camera to be able to view and inspect the seal. I recommend having...
  27. joebruin77

    front camera fog frustration

    I had a similar issue and, at least for my situation, the Tesla mobile tech was able to correctly identify and fix the problem. Over the front camera, there is a cover or "hood". There is a rubber seal that runs around the edges of this hood that is designed to keep out condensation. After...
  28. joebruin77

    In my case, is having a pro do a ceramic coating worth it?

    The OP said that the front of his car had PPF, which I am assuming means his car has a partial PPF. So depending on the condition of the non-PPF covered paint, some prep work might still be needed. Although there are some PPF's on the market that have a hydrophobic layer built in, most regular...
  29. joebruin77

    In my case, is having a pro do a ceramic coating worth it?

    Armour Detail Supply also makes a ceramic detail spray too called Amplify and would probably be a more equivalent "apples to apples" comparison to TEC 582. I have tried Amplify and, like TEC 582, it increases gloss and feels super slick under the towel as you wipe it off. I would be curious for...
  30. joebruin77

    In my case, is having a pro do a ceramic coating worth it?

    I had one other suggestion. Although TEC 582 is a great product, it is marketed as a ceramic detail spray. Although it can be used as a ceramic sealant (and some people claim it is mislabeled and should be considered more of a ceramic sealant), it is not as durable as other ceramic spray...
  31. joebruin77

    Paint-less Dent repair on quarter panel?

    A good place to get a good PDR referral is from a local reputable PPF installer. Before getting PPF installed, most people want to get their car's paint as near perfect as possible. So a reputable PPF shop will frequently use PDR to fix a car's paint before they install PPF. I needed a PDR...
  32. joebruin77

    In my case, is having a pro do a ceramic coating worth it?

    Personally, I think the answer depends on how important is maximum paint appearance and protection to you and whether or not you have the time or interest in doing a ceramic coating yourself. Applying a ceramic coating is relatively easy. The "hard work" is the prep work. If the professional...
  33. joebruin77

    Rocker panels gone beige on my M3 AWD white new may 23.

    I have seen several threads over the years about this PPF-like film over the rocker panels. I don't know if it is an actual self-healing PPF or some cheaper clear plastic film. I think checking with Tesla is the right thing to do. If Tesla doesn't give you helpful info, I personally would try...
  34. joebruin77

    Dead 12V Battery with a bunch of codes.

    Thanks for letting me know. Not sure if you have already seen it or if you would find it informative, but here is an interesting post I started quite a while ago discussing whether or not it is a good idea to proactively replace the 12v battery. Personally, I think it is "cheap insurance" to...
  35. joebruin77

    Dead 12V Battery with a bunch of codes.

    I'm sorry you had to deal with this. I see you have a 2018 M3P like me. Just curious, have you previously replaced the 12v battery or is this the original 12v battery? If you have previously replaced it, how long ago was that?
  36. joebruin77

    Anyone repair/repaint faded clearcoat on the carbon fiber rear spoiler?

    As Adam3 said, the spoiler is covered under warranty but my Tesla is 5 years old and out of warranty. Plus, my spoiler was installed on top of PPF. Back in 2018, when I took delivery, the spoilers were in short supply and I had to wait several months for mine. So I had to install it on top of my...
  37. joebruin77

    Anyone repair/repaint faded clearcoat on the carbon fiber rear spoiler?

    Quick update. I successfully removed my old, delaminated spoiler using GreenHokie's suggestion of 20 lbs fishing line, and installed a new replacement spoiler (see before and after pics below). Removing the spoiler was relatively easy. The hardest part was removing the old adhesive (see first...
  38. joebruin77

    Model 3 Performance Range Recovery... Simple Fix!!!

    Thank you to the OP for this informative post. I may give this a try. According to the Stats for Tesla app, my 5 year old P3D with 44K miles shows a maximum range of 282 miles, which is about 9 percent degradation. That said, I have an even simpler "fix". Just change your battery status...
  39. joebruin77

    Should I keep or trade in my 2018 Tesla P3D for either a Model S (or when available a Highland Model 3)?

    When I took the Model S for a test drive, the signal buttons on the steering wheel were my only concern. I did not mind the gear shift being on the screen at all. That was very easy and intuitive. As for the signal buttons, I could see getting used to them fairly quickly. To me it would make...
  40. joebruin77

    2018 Model 3 Heating Issues

    Unless they installed a bad heater, the problem could be due to a faulty interior temperature sensor. The car may not be sensing the cold temperature and prematurely shutting off the heater. When the car is super cold, have you tried taking out your app and seeing if the interior temperature...
  41. joebruin77

    Should I keep or trade in my 2018 Tesla P3D for either a Model S (or when available a Highland Model 3)?

    Yes, I am definitely going to test drive a Model 3 Highland. It isn't available here in the US yet. I specifically want to drive the performance trim. I read somewhere that when the car is released in the US, they will offer both the LR and the Performance. The Performance is rumored to be...
  42. joebruin77

    Anyone repair/repaint faded clearcoat on the carbon fiber rear spoiler?

    Thank you so much for the helpful post. I remember you posted about replacing the spoiler several months ago. You brought up some really good points about why replacement is better than repair. I’ll definitely pm you if I have any other questions. Thanks again and happy new year! Joe
  43. joebruin77

    Anyone repair/repaint faded clearcoat on the carbon fiber rear spoiler?

    It is OEM. The car is parked outside 24/7. I think the extreme heat and sun of 5 SoCal summers has taken its toll.
  44. joebruin77

    Anyone repair/repaint faded clearcoat on the carbon fiber rear spoiler?

    The clearcoat on my 2018 P3D's carbon fiber spoiler is failing and looks really bad. My first thought was to replace it with a new spoiler, but the original spoiler was placed on top of PPF. If I remove the spoiler, there is a chance I might pull up the PPF along with it. Below are a couple...
  45. joebruin77

    Removing tiny spots from a pearl white M3

    BTW, shortly after reading your original post, I visited my favorite car detailing website Autogeekonline.net . Coincidentally, there was a post on there that talks about a professional detailer who had to clean "Whiskey fungus" off of a white truck. The fungus comes from the wood used to make...
  46. joebruin77

    Removing tiny spots from a pearl white M3

    If you try google searching "how to remove tree fungus from car paint", you will find helpful suggestions. For example, this is from an article published by "Miami Mold Specialists": How to Remove Tree Mold from Car Paint? Tree Mold causes the same patches on car paint as it causes on the...
  47. joebruin77

    Should I keep or trade in my 2018 Tesla P3D for either a Model S (or when available a Highland Model 3)?

    Actually, I just saw a video on Youtube filmed at the recent Polestar Day event. They revealed the Polestar 5, which is scheduled to come out in 2025. I don't know if I can afford it, but man that is a very cool and unique car.
  48. joebruin77

    Should I keep or trade in my 2018 Tesla P3D for either a Model S (or when available a Highland Model 3)?

    Thanks again to everyone who replied. I wanted to share this quick important update. Today I took a new Model S long range for a test drive. It was black with the white interior (and had a steering wheel, not the yoke). Overall, I was very impressed with the car. It definitely has a more...
  49. joebruin77

    If you have reoccurring condensation on the INSIDE of your front camera, read this

    Just in case anyone else runs into this problem with condensation forming inside the front camera, Tesla service came out today. Yes, my quad cover has a small crack in it and needs to be replaced. But the technician discovered another contributing problem. There is a rubber seal that is a...
  50. joebruin77

    Should I keep or trade in my 2018 Tesla P3D for either a Model S (or when available a Highland Model 3)?

    I just want to thank everyone for your input. All the information you have provided to me has been very helpful. Although I am still scheduled to take a Model S for a test drive this coming weekend, I am 95% sure I will keep my 2018 P3D. The reality is the car has relatively low mileage for a 5...