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Exterior Paint Flaws

psyberpete

New Member
Apr 15, 2019
2
0
Providence RI
Anyone else have problems with the Model Y paint job? I have a red AWD and it has several circular/oval spots that seem fainter than the rest as if they missed those spots when applying a second coat.

Anyone have experience trying to get Tesla to fix it? I plan to address it once the stay in place is relaxed.
 

Lukez

Member
Mar 21, 2016
629
533
Ontario
Anyone else have problems with the Model Y paint job? I have a red AWD and it has several circular/oval spots that seem fainter than the rest as if they missed those spots when applying a second coat.

Anyone have experience trying to get Tesla to fix it? I plan to address it once the stay in place is relaxed.

Schedule appointment with pictures right away don't wait
 

Cevap Babo

Member
Apr 7, 2020
21
76
Foster City, CA
Let me post my pic and let me know if you have the same issue.
I made an appointment at Tesla Service in Burlingame CA for a myriad of issues including a cracked windshield and paint and was told that the service can't focus on anything but the windshield due to social distancing measures (???). A neighbor in Berkeley had no issues servicing his car there and it took them 11 days but they got the job done (this from another thread).
At least my issues were acknowledged and I was told to get back to them for paint fix once this pandemic is over. I still call BS.
Oh, and just to mention another beaut: they did not put windshield wiper fluid in my vehicle on delivery so I drove in a filthy car. Then they informed me via text that they can't do a courtesy car wash due to "inability to do it in an eco responsible way - can't reclaim water from the wash".
Good luck!
 

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tcoombes

Supporting Member
Jan 22, 2018
1,046
3,060
Northern California
Orange County also had to quit courtesy washes as county requires an very expensive recirculation water system be installed in commercial car washes.

I don’t mind not having courtesy washes. I always asked for them not to was my S when they still offered it because I am particular about how it’s done. I do the two bucket method and clean the car before service so I can easily inspect for damage before and after. It works well and have never had a problem at the Rocklin SC.
 

Chris88

Member
Feb 24, 2020
55
11
Regina
Anyone else have problems with the Model Y paint job? I have a red AWD and it has several circular/oval spots that seem fainter than the rest as if they missed those spots when applying a second coat.

Anyone have experience trying to get Tesla to fix it? I plan to address it once the stay in place is relaxed.

Do you have any photos? From what your describing it almost sounds like polishing spots where they denibbed but have hazed back. I've seen that on Teslas before.

Let me post my pic and let me know if you have the same issue.
I made an appointment at Tesla Service in Burlingame CA for a myriad of issues including a cracked windshield and paint and was told that the service can't focus on anything but the windshield due to social distancing measures (???). A neighbor in Berkeley had no issues servicing his car there and it took them 11 days but they got the job done (this from another thread).
At least my issues were acknowledged and I was told to get back to them for paint fix once this pandemic is over. I still call BS.
Oh, and just to mention another beaut: they did not put windshield wiper fluid in my vehicle on delivery so I drove in a filthy car. Then they informed me via text that they can't do a courtesy car wash due to "inability to do it in an eco responsible way - can't reclaim water from the wash".
Good luck!

It's hard to tell from photos, but that almost looks like overspray from refinish. If that's what it is it would be an indicator that part of your car was repainted after the assembly line. Does it kind of feel drier than the rest of the panel? Sometimes feels smoother too, hard to describe. Not saying it being refinished is necessarily a bad thing, could just have been fixing up a minor defect. But it's one of those things that would he nice to know
 

psyberpete

New Member
Apr 15, 2019
2
0
Providence RI
Here's a photo of two spots where the paint problems are -- almost like a big smudge and more visible in bright sunlight.
 

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Chris88

Member
Feb 24, 2020
55
11
Regina
From what I can tell it looks like those spots were denibbed and polished but hazed back. Seen it lots with early model 3s. Not a big deal, just needs some additional polishing to fix up
 

NY_Rob

Member
Feb 13, 2020
735
768
Long Island
I made an appointment at Tesla Service in Burlingame CA for a myriad of issues including a cracked windshield and paint a...
You accepted a new $55K automobile with a cracked windshield, paint issues and other problems (including a misaligned door in your photo)?
It boggles the imagination that people let Tesla get away with this stuff.

Imagine walking in to a BMW dealership, telling them you want to look at a new 3 or 5 Series, you have a $55K budget and they bring one around from the back with a cracked windshield, bad paint, misaligned doors, and other issues?
 

moswissa

Member
Mar 20, 2020
304
127
Los angeles
You accepted a new $55K automobile with a cracked windshield, paint issues and other problems (including a misaligned door in your photo)?
It boggles the imagination that people let Tesla get away with this stuff.

Imagine walking in to a BMW dealership, telling them you want to look at a new 3 or 5 Series, you have a $55K budget and they bring one around from the back with a cracked windshield, bad paint, misaligned doors, and other issues?


Because it’s a Tesla, so a few misaligned panels and a cracked windshield isn’t a big deal once they service it in 1-2 days while you drive a model s rental.

it still sucks. I got a list of issues, most of them resolved but still annoying however it’s all worth it to me. I’ve owned several high end luxury cars and I’m blown away by the Tesla.
 
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NY_Rob

Member
Feb 13, 2020
735
768
Long Island
It would be interesting to take a Model 3 built at the Chinese plant after it's been producing Model 3's for a year and one made from the Freemont plant when it had been producing Model 3's for a year and compare them.

Which would have less (or even zero) flaws?


Anyone think the Chinese Model 3's are delivered to customers with badly flawed paint, dirty interiors, interior seat backs detaching, scratched rims, severely misaligned doors, hatches, etc.. ?
 
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Bikeman

Member
Jan 30, 2020
205
147
Chicago Area
It would be interesting to take a Model 3 built at the Chinese plant after it's been producing Model 3's for a year and one made from the Freemont plant when it had been producing Model 3's for a year and compare them.
...
Anyone think the Chinese Model 3's are delivered to customers with badly flawed paint, dirty interiors, interior seat backs detaching, scratched rims, severely misaligned doors, hatches, etc.. ?

It would also be interesting to find a forum like this that the Chinese Tesla fans have created and posted their personal reviews on.
 

BMax_V.2

Member
Apr 14, 2020
282
235
Bay Area
Washed for the first time with paint prep shampoo (wax stripper) and this revealed itself.

Looks like the performance underline emblem was once there....

20200502_131236.jpg
20200502_131158.jpg
 

lloyds

Active Member
Apr 3, 2013
1,100
205
Bay Area
*sigh - I just wish the quality was better. Owner since '13 and on my M3 I had a series of problems. I am thinking about pushing out my delivery because of these.
 
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airbrett

Member
Feb 12, 2020
118
68
San Francisco, CA
*sigh - I just wish the quality was better. Owner since '13 and on my M3 I had a series of problems. I am thinking about pushing out my delivery because of these.

Unfortunately, I as well. I wasn't hesitant to get a first year model because so much was shared in common with the 3, I thought the fit and finish issues would be under control. These issues will be solved and it's going to be a great car. When they consistently start being delivered without them, I will pull the trigger.
 
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smcginnis

Travel in the time of Covid
Feb 24, 2020
110
89
San Francisco Bay Area
After seeing a You Tube by a Tesla fan who learned that the paint on a Tesla is half as deep as any other car, even the cheapest Honda, I cancelled my order and decided to wait until they figure out how to paint cars. Great engineers, but quality control is not where it should be.
 

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