DIY Chrome Delete with Plasti Dip

[KFORE]

Cool. Thanks for the update. I plan on doing my red Model 3 when it arrives (9/28). Would you mind posting a few pics of the mirrors folded, so we can see the area that's not covered yet? A close up or two would be appreciated. Thanks again!

Sure, here you go!

 

[BLKMDL3]

Sure, here you go!

View attachment 333618

you can spray another coat once the others dry with the mirrors folded. That is what I did

 

[CrazyCoconut]

you can spray another coat once the others dry with the mirrors folded. That is what I did

Wouldn't that just rub off from the constant folding/unfolding actions?

 

[BLKMDL3]

Wouldn't that just rub off from the constant folding/unfolding actions?

if it is a thin enough coat.

 

[CrazyCoconut]

if it is a thin enough coat.

You are saying that it would NOT rub off if you only put on a thin coat?

 

[BLKMDL3]

You are saying that it would NOT rub off if you only put on a thin coat?

Affirmative

 

[BLKMDL3]

This is a quick pic of my model x’s mirror folded. Sorry for bad quality.

 

[CrazyCoconut]

This is a quick pic of my model x’s mirror folded. Sorry for bad quality. View attachment 333712

Zack, how long have you had your mirror trim dipped? Has any of it rubbed off from the mirrors folding and unfolding?

 

[plasmo]

@KFORE Do the handles (or all the surfaces sprayed with plastidip) stay sticky after a few months? I like the look, but not really fond of sticky surfaces. Thanks

You can use Dip Coat spray over your Plasti dipped areas to make it much more smoother, less sticky and protects it from scratches. It really works well!
Dip Coat™ Protective Spray 32 oz

 

[BLKMDL3]

Zack, how long have you had your mirror trim dipped? Has any of it rubbed off from the mirrors folding and unfolding?

Still flawless, 1 year in

 

[davidalai]

Its pretty much the same way as plastidip, just that they recommend to paint in a well contained environment, so I had it done by a authorized Autoflex dealer here in socal.

Where in SoCal did you (or are you) going to get your Model 3 Autoflex'ed? And if you don't mind what's the price they quoted you? I also reside in SoCal and am very interested.

 

[davidalai]

I had mine with 15 coats of autoflex paint including glossier and believe me there is only dealer in entire greater Los Angeles area that could do the job.

Where in Los Angeles area did you get your Autoflex done? Is the 15 coats plus glossier coat standard at the place you got yours done? Also, mind sharing ball park estimate of cost?

 

[hdAge]

Where in Los Angeles area did you get your Autoflex done? Is the 15 coats plus glossier coat standard at the place you got yours done? Also, mind sharing ball park estimate of cost?

The 15 coats is not standard, but I made them do that so the result was looking better than OEM paint and holding up well for 1 year now. I will PM you the details.

 

[cmarshack]

The 15 coats is not standard, but I made them do that so the result was looking better than OEM paint and holding up well for 1 year now. I will PM you the details.

Can you PM me who in LA can shoot Autoflex? It's not legal in CA...

 

[nixforme]

Can someone advise as to the taking technique for the inner frame trim(below top trim and above bottom trim in the window section ).

I've taken a couple passes and I'm having a hard time obtaining straight lines because of the rubber between the window and the trim.

 

[CrazyCoconut]

Can someone advise as to the taking technique for the inner frame trim(below top trim and above bottom trim in the window section ).

I've taken a couple passes and I'm having a hard time obtaining straight lines because of the rubber between the window and the trim.

Having trouble visualizing which part you meant...

 

[nixforme]

Referring to the window trim inner frame / where the glass tucks under the door when closed. I've done it twice now - first time I tried to tape on to the window rubber and the 2nd I left a 1 inch gap same as above the window trim. However, both times I'm having a hard time with the dip separating nicely from the window trim and the window rubber. See attached (zoom in)

 

[CrazyCoconut]

Referring to the window trim inner frame / where the glass tucks under the door when closed. I've done it twice now - first time I tried to tape on to the window rubber and the 2nd I left a 1 inch gap same as above the window trim. However, both times I'm having a hard time with the dip separating nicely from the window trim and the window rubber. See attached (zoom in)

I used this video as a guide:

I did have to do multiple rounds of touch-up though. The window rubber part is tricky, you have to be very exact with your taping.

 

[nixforme]

Yeh, I watched that video a bunch of times as well. I think the window rubber on the S is a little different than the 3 due to the window lowering when open. What was your procedure for touch up ?

 

[CrazyCoconut]

What was your procedure for touch up ?

I actually messed up and made things worse a few times before I refined my technique. You can't use masking tape directly on an area with existing dip, because when you spray new dip, it partially melts the existing dip, which gets embedded with the tape edge. So when you go to pull it off later, it tends to pull chunks of dip off with it. So what I do is to use heavy stock paper/cardboard to mask areas I need to touch up, and only tape them to areas of the car with no existing dip. And if it's a small enough area, I just cut an appropriate sized hole in a large piece of stock paper/cardboard, then hold it over the area with one hand and spray through the hole with the other (careful not to touch the surface being sprayed). Some overspray will be inevitable with this method, but can be easily rubbed off with a microfiber towel afterwards.