Fixing a paint chip costs $1,700??!!!

[Wjli2020]

I got my new model y on Monday, long range. This morning( two days after delivery), when I tried to open the trunk, it went all the way up to hit the metal piece of the garage door, and a small piece of paint on the back chipped. And then I went to a Tesla certified body shop, they gave me an out of pocket quote :$1,700!!!
Anyone has a better suggestion to fix it?

 

[MorrisonHiker]

Paint Repair Kit

 

[Eugeinus]

ugh sorry to hear that - looks like it took a gouge out, so touch up paint isn't going to do much. You'd think that the trunk would automatically stop if it detected it was about to hit something...

 

[jayely1]

Hard to tell, but it looks like that paint is VERY thin doesn't it??

 

[Wjli2020]

Yes, it is thin. I don’t know if this new picture helps

 

[azentropy]

Hard to tell, but it looks like that paint is VERY thin doesn't it??

Yep, super thin/soft of mine. Had many issues when I picked it up, that were fixed, but already have a new one on my back bumper where I must have grazed it with my bike.

 

[puresurfr2]

I would go with touch up paint.....Direct Touchup has a great kit for pearl white paints.....the gouge looks deep but primer will build that up easily. Next will be a base coat (3-5 layers is ideal ) and then 1-2 coats of mid layer and finally a few coats of clear.....it will still be there but much less noticeable. Be sure to wetland it when applying the primer and pain so it is smooth instead of goopy. Also give it ample time to dry, this probably will need a few days due to the many coats required. Be patient, go slowly and if you dont want to use wet sand paper of 2500-4000 grit, then you can use a paint leveler product....goood luck and take pictures !

 

[Wjli2020]

Yep, super thin/soft of mine. Had many issues when I picked it up, that were fixed, but already have a new one on my back bumper where I must have grazed it with my bike.

Are you planing to fix it?

 

[puresurfr2]

Have not checked on pricing recently but it seems for a couple thousand more, you can have the entire car wrapped.

 

[Wjli2020]

I would go with touch up paint.....Direct Touchup has a great kit for pearl white paints.....the gouge looks deep but primer will build that up easily. Next will be a base coat (3-5 layers is ideal ) and then 1-2 coats of mid layer and finally a few coats of clear.....it will still be there but much less noticeable. Be sure to wetland it when applying the primer and pain so it is smooth instead of goopy. Also give it ample time to dry, this probably will need a few days due to the many coats required. Be patient, go slowly and if you dont want to use wet sand paper of 2500-4000 grit, then you can use a paint leveler product....goood luck and take pictures !

Thank you so much for the step by step instructions. I am gonna print it out and follow them. If I end up doing it correctly, for sure I will post pictures lol

 

[Wjli2020]

Paint Repair Kit

I may need to try it , $1,700 is just too much for that tiny area. Thanks!

 

[Wjli2020]

Have not checked on pricing recently but it seems for a couple thousand more, you can have the entire car wrapped.

I checked on the paint protection film already, the quotes they gave me are around $6000. ( in Texas). However, some of them do remind me. It will turn yellow, probably not good for white color.

 

[alphaq55]

I would buy a spoiler and cover it up maybe?

 

[puresurfr2]

Thank you so much for the step by step instructions. I am gonna print it out and follow them. If I end up doing it correctly, for sure I will post pictures lol

I have a Model S and it is pearl white metallic....it needs 2 different paints, the first is a base coat and the second contains the pearlescent stuff.......it doesn't hurt to find a piece of metal and scrape it and then practice your touch up skills. Im referring to a piece of painted scrap metal that you have laying around.

The second picture does show very thin paint, you might have to skip the primer and just go with base coat and mid coat and clear. My experience is the primer is really thick. Ideally you dont want a raised hump. This is why u wet sand or use paint leveler.

 

[puresurfr2]

I would buy a spoiler and cover it up maybe?

Thats a GREAT idea

 

[stevemc]

If you don't feel confident in repairing yourself there are many small shops that specialize in small repairs like this just check around in your area.

 

[Wjli2020]

If you don't feel confident in repairing yourself there are many small shops that specialize in small repairs like this just check around in your area.

Yeah, I will drive around and compare the prices and then make a decision

 

[Wjli2020]

Thats a GREAT idea

I may need both of the repair kit and a spoiler

I have a Model S and it is pearl white metallic....it needs 2 different paints, the first is a base coat and the second contains the pearlescent stuff.......it doesn't hurt to find a piece of metal and scrape it and then practice your touch up skills. Im referring to a piece of painted scrap metal that you have laying around.

The second picture does show very thin paint, you might have to skip the primer and just go with base coat and mid coat and clear. My experience is the primer is really thick. Ideally you dont want a raised hump. This is why u wet sand or use paint leveler.

testing on a metal piece is really a good idea!

 

[TacoHand]

Did you check with your insurance? I think that should be covered by comprehensive coverage, so if you have a low comp deductible it could be pretty cheap to have fixed.

 

[Wjli2020]

Yes, I will need to pay $500 deductible, and then the insurance will pay for the rest. It is just the insurance company will increase the premium.