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How does every clean their model 3? Is Automatic car wash a bad idea?

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So if it's dirty, then wash it with soap and water first?
You don't HAVE to. I like to. And by dirty I mean chunks. Most the time, particularly in dry weather, it's just a haze on the car. In that case no need to even rinse ahead. However if there's larger debris stuck on, I'd soap and wash first.

I am considering getting a foam cannon so I can pressure wash the dirt off and soap studs to help lift the larger particles off first.
 
I've been using the OPT Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine and finish it with Optimum Opti-Seal (both from Amazon). I can do the whole vehicle in easily under an hour, 30 minutes if I rush it. The results are amazing and really look like it's off a show-room floor. I've never had a vehicle look this clean before.

BUT I'm in the northeast and cold weather will be an issue (and my garage isn't appropriate for washing a car). So I'm looking for solutions to deal with the winters. Touchless was my first consideration but there's none in my area. I spoke with my local car wash (which I regularly see Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, BMW and other high-end cars spill out of) and he said that the overhaul they did about 6 years ago -- advanced car wash technology in his words -- is 100% safe for any car, with no impact to paint and such. I get that it's his business and he's gonna market it that way, but I'm more swayed by the cars that go in and out of there.

He did also offer me hand-wash/detail services if I was still worried, though I'm actually less secure about that option. What do those guys care about my car anyway, right? Decision, decisions. :)
 
Sadly, I tend to treat it more like a museum piece.... ugh! However, I will share info I received from a professional detailer. He told me the standard black on the Model 3 is an incredibly soft paint, one of the worst he has ever seen. This was disappointing because I actually called TESLA directly before deciding on the upgrade black and they assured me the upgraded black is equal to the the standard black on durability etc... They said it is purely an aesthetic decision. This is FALSE.
So having said that, I had ceramic coating applied and I only hand wash (two bucket approach). Basically, you never want to wipe the car if it has any level of dirt since it can cause swirls and scratches (especially the black). I’ve personally never noticed this on all my previous black cars. However, after the detailer’s paint correction and ceramic coating, there is clearly a difference in finish (no pun intended). Having said all that, it is just a freakin car (and not even that expensive as compared to standard vehicles in the neighborhood). All I would say is try to hose off dirt and salt before entering a car wash that sands your dirt across your paint. And just enjoy the vehicle!
 
I've been using the OPT Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine and finish it with Optimum Opti-Seal (both from Amazon). I can do the whole vehicle in easily under an hour, 30 minutes if I rush it. The results are amazing and really look like it's off a show-room floor. I've never had a vehicle look this clean before.
It is nice. I have Opti-Seal but I stopped using it and instead spray Optimum Instant Detailer on the car before I wipe down to dry it and I think it looks just as good and makes the process even faster by saving a wipe down step. Or do both for even better look!(I have not tried this)

Optimum Instant Detailer & Gloss Enhancer

Use it in conjunction with Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine or Optimum Car Wash, by spraying it on the panels as you dry the vehicle. This will create a super slick, incredibly glossy finish.

Optimum Instant Detailer & Gloss Enhancer is also an excellent companion product to Optimum Opti-Seal where Opti-Seal's main objective is protection, Optimum Instant Detailer pours on the gloss and slickness.​
 
Just went to the self service car wash today. Took about 30-40 minutes and $7 total :

  1. Rinse off dust/dirt with power washer on soap mode
  2. Use microfiber to and wash car
  3. Use other sponge/mitt on rims (avoid scratching painted rims by using mitts instead of the brush)
  4. Dry car + rims with shammy (compressed air really helps here if available)
  5. Clean exterior windows with 2 in 1 cleaner/rainx using a microfiber cloth
  6. Apply tire shine with sponge that touches nothing else
  7. Drive forward out of stall to vacuum area
  8. Reapply tire shine in area that was unreachable before
  9. Apply spray on wax, spot drying where needed. This step could be normal wax if necessary as well
  10. Remove sticky spots with spray on wax or bug remover wipes from armor-all
  11. Clean interior windows with normal window cleaner and micro fiber
  12. Wipe down the interior with baby wipes
  13. Vacuum the carpet, using a brush on areas with dirt stuck in the floor matts

Many of these steps can be skipped if not necessary, such as tire shine, wax, sticky spot removal, and interior windows. Wax is obviously the biggest hit on time and will reduce the overall effort by 10-15 minutes. On the flip side, there really isn't too much more you CAN do besides steam extract the carpet if there are spills and dirt, use a razor blade on the windows if there is sticky stuff on them, fix small paint issues, or mechanically polish but that should be left to professionals who do it often.
 
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Sadly, I tend to treat it more like a museum piece.... ugh! However, I will share info I received from a professional detailer. He told me the standard black on the Model 3 is an incredibly soft paint, one of the worst he has ever seen. This was disappointing because I actually called TESLA directly before deciding on the upgrade black and they assured me the upgraded black is equal to the the standard black on durability etc... They said it is purely an aesthetic decision. This is FALSE.
So having said that, I had ceramic coating applied and I only hand wash (two bucket approach). Basically, you never want to wipe the car if it has any level of dirt since it can cause swirls and scratches (especially the black). I’ve personally never noticed this on all my previous black cars. However, after the detailer’s paint correction and ceramic coating, there is clearly a difference in finish (no pun intended). Having said all that, it is just a freakin car (and not even that expensive as compared to standard vehicles in the neighborhood). All I would say is try to hose off dirt and salt before entering a car wash that sands your dirt across your paint. And just enjoy the vehicle!

As far as causing microscratches on the clear coat goes, the color of your car has nothing to do with it, except how easily you can spot the microscratches. Tesla uses clear coat over the paint, and that clear coat is as durable as any other manufacturer's clear coat, which is to say that they are all very susceptible to abrasion from rubbing grime on it.

Soft paint is just less paint on the body. Tesla's paint is indeed thinner than other cars. This makes it more susceptible for scratches to reach the metal. It's also going to be more prone to rock chips. Ceramic coating is not going to help prevent this type of damage at all.
 
As far as causing microscratches on the clear coat goes, the color of your car has nothing to do with it, except how easily you can spot the microscratches. Tesla uses clear coat over the paint, and that clear coat is as durable as any other manufacturer's clear coat, which is to say that they are all very susceptible to abrasion from rubbing grime on it.

Soft paint is just less paint on the body. Tesla's paint is indeed thinner than other cars. This makes it more susceptible for scratches to reach the metal. It's also going to be more prone to rock chips. Ceramic coating is not going to help prevent this type of damage at all.


I’m certainly not an expert in paint matters. I’m simply relaying what a certified CQuartz detailer shared with me. Moving forward, he will charge extra for standard black from TESLA. He has not seen issues with other TESLA colors but will adjust pricing accordingly should they surface. My recommmendation, based on the experience from a guy who only works with CQuartz for a living, I would seriously upgrade your paint selection to the premium black with metallic or choose another color.
 
I’m certainly not an expert in paint matters. I’m simply relaying what a certified CQuartz detailer shared with me. Moving forward, he will charge extra for standard black from TESLA. He has not seen issues with other TESLA colors but will adjust pricing accordingly should they surface. My recommmendation, based on the experience from a guy who only works with CQuartz for a living, I would seriously upgrade your paint selection to the premium black with metallic or choose another color.

Please stop quoting inaccurate information. Your detailer is wrong and you're spreading bad information, and just because the detailer only works with CQuartz does not make him somehow more qualified. Here are the facts:
  1. All Teslas start with an anti-corrosion layer over the steel/aluminum, then primer, then color coat(s), then clear coat.
  2. When you talk about "soft paint", you're referring to the clear coat, not the color coat.
  3. The color coat is what is different between the different colors. The clear is the same and that's where swirls and halos will be introduced. Scratches can penetrate through all the layers.
  4. Tesla doesn't chemically design their own paint. They buy paint from specialist manufacturers who supply the same product to other auto manufacturers.
  5. Because the clear coat is the same across the different colors, it will swirl and scratch the same. The difference is that a non-metallic black optically shows those kinds of defects the most. Those same defects would exist in other colors, but silver, white, and other colors just hide it better. I personally like the non-metallic black because I take care of my paint and the black really shows off that work.
  6. Tesla paint is not unique in having soft paint. Try Honda, Toyota, Subaru, and many others. My Audi has the hardest paint I've come across. But guess what? It swirls, too, and it's a pain to polish out those defects. The Tesla is very easy to work with for paint correction.
 
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I’m certainly not an expert in paint matters. I’m simply relaying what a certified CQuartz detailer shared with me. Moving forward, he will charge extra for standard black from TESLA. He has not seen issues with other TESLA colors but will adjust pricing accordingly should they surface. My recommmendation, based on the experience from a guy who only works with CQuartz for a living, I would seriously upgrade your paint selection to the premium black with metallic or choose another color.

Please stop quoting inaccurate information. Your detailer is wrong and you're spreading bad information, and just because the detailer only works with CQuartz does not make him somehow more qualified. Here are the facts:
  1. All Teslas start with an anti-corrosion layer over the steel/aluminum, then primer, then color coat(s), then clear coat.
  2. When you talk about "soft paint", you're referring to the clear coat, not the color coat.
  3. The color coat is what is different between the different colors. The clear is the same and that's where swirls and halos will be introduced. Scratches can penetrate through all the layers.
  4. Tesla doesn't chemically design their own paint. They buy paint from specialist manufacturers who supply the same product to other auto manufacturers.
  5. Because the clear coat is the same across the different colors, it will swirl and scratch the same. The difference is that a non-metallic black optically shows those kinds of defects the most. Those same defects would exist in other colors, but silver, white, and other colors just hide it better. I personally like the non-metallic black because I take care of my paint and the black really shows off that work.
  6. Tesla paint is not unique in having soft paint. Try Honda, Toyota, Subaru, and many others. My Audi has the hardest paint I've come across. But guess what? It swirls, too, and it's a pain to polish out those defects. The Tesla is very easy to work with for paint correction.

and this is why reasoning from first principles is so important. "because someone said so" is hardly a way to be informed about anything.
 
I use Optimum No Rinse Wash and Shine (ONR) and Costco 36 microfiber towels. One bucket, 30 minutes. Nitrile gloves, Unheated garage, Northern Michigan winters.

Note, sometimes using automatic car washer on Model 3s has caused charge port to open and get damaged.

RTFM
Owners manual pp 135

Cleaning the Exterior
To prevent damage to the paint, immediately remove corrosive substances (bird droppings, tree resin, dead insects, tar spots, road salt, industrial fallout, etc.). Do not wait until Model 3 is due for a complete wash. If necessary, use denatured alcohol to remove tar spots and stubborn grease stains, then immediately wash the area with water and a mild, non- detergent soap to remove the alcohol.
Follow these steps when washing the exterior of Model 3:

1. Rinse Thoroughly
Before washing, flush grime and grit from the bodywork using a hose. Flush away accumulations of mud in areas where debris easily collects (such as wheel arches and panel seams). If salt has been used on the highways (such as during winter months), thoroughly rinse all traces of road salt from the underside of the vehicle.

2. Hand Wash
Hand wash Model 3 using a clean soft cloth and cold or lukewarm water containing a mild, high-quality car shampoo.

3. Rinse with Clean Water
After washing, rinse with clean water to
prevent soap from drying on the surfaces.

4. Dry Thoroughly and Clean Exterior Glass
After washing and rinsing, dry thoroughly with a chamois.
Clean windows and mirrors using an automotive glass cleaner. Do not scrape, or use any abrasive cleaning fluid on glass or mirrored surfaces.

Cautions for Exterior Cleaning
Caution: Do not use windshield treatment fluids. Doing so can interfere with wiper friction and cause a chattering sound.
Caution: Do not use hot water or detergents.
Caution: Do not wash in direct sunlight.
Caution: If using a pressure washer, maintain a distance of at least 12" (30 cm) between the nozzle and the surface of Model 3. Keep the nozzle moving and do not concentrate the water jet on any one area.
Caution: Do not aim water hoses directly at window, door or hood seals, or through wheel apertures onto brake components.

Caution: Avoid using tight-napped or rough cloths, such as washing mitts.

Caution: If washing in an automatic car wash, use Touchless car washes only. These car washes have no parts (brushes, etc.) that touch the surfaces of Model 3. Using any other type of car wash could cause damage that is not covered by the warranty.
 
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Go to Amazon.com and buy the following...

  1. Adam's Tire Shine
  2. Adam's Interior Detailer
  3. Adam's Glass Cleaner
  4. Chemical Guys Detailing Bucket
  5. Chemical Guys Cyclone Dirt Trap
  6. Foam King Deluxe Car Wash Sprayer (This will act as a foam gun, but works with a regular hose, no pressure washer needed)
  7. Adam's Ultra Foam Shampoo

For spot cleaning, I recommend...

  1. Adam's Waterless Car Wash

Regarding automatic car washes... the 100% touchless ones are fine, but don't go to any automatic car wash that has those octopus things touching you car. You will get tiny scratches and swirl marks.
 
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I use Optimum No Rinse Wash and Shine (ONR) and Costco 36 microfiber towels. One bucket, 30 minutes. Nitrile gloves, Unheated garage, Northern Michigan winters.

Note, sometimes using automatic car washer on Model 3s has caused charge port to open and get damaged.

RTFM
Owners manual pp 135

Cleaning the Exterior
To prevent damage to the paint, immediately remove corrosive substances (bird droppings, tree resin, dead insects, tar spots, road salt, industrial fallout, etc.). Do not wait until Model 3 is due for a complete wash. If necessary, use denatured alcohol to remove tar spots and stubborn grease stains, then immediately wash the area with water and a mild, non- detergent soap to remove the alcohol.
Follow these steps when washing the exterior of Model 3:

1. Rinse Thoroughly
Before washing, flush grime and grit from the bodywork using a hose. Flush away accumulations of mud in areas where debris easily collects (such as wheel arches and panel seams). If salt has been used on the highways (such as during winter months), thoroughly rinse all traces of road salt from the underside of the vehicle.

2. Hand Wash
Hand wash Model 3 using a clean soft cloth and cold or lukewarm water containing a mild, high-quality car shampoo.

3. Rinse with Clean Water
After washing, rinse with clean water to
prevent soap from drying on the surfaces.

4. Dry Thoroughly and Clean Exterior Glass
After washing and rinsing, dry thoroughly with a chamois.
Clean windows and mirrors using an automotive glass cleaner. Do not scrape, or use any abrasive cleaning fluid on glass or mirrored surfaces.

Cautions for Exterior Cleaning
Caution: Do not use windshield treatment fluids. Doing so can interfere with wiper friction and cause a chattering sound.
Caution: Do not use hot water or detergents.
Caution: Do not wash in direct sunlight.
Caution: If using a pressure washer, maintain a distance of at least 12" (30 cm) between the nozzle and the surface of Model 3. Keep the nozzle moving and do not concentrate the water jet on any one area.
Caution: Do not aim water hoses directly at window, door or hood seals, or through wheel apertures onto brake components.

Caution: Avoid using tight-napped or rough cloths, such as washing mitts.

Caution: If washing in an automatic car wash, use Touchless car washes only. These car washes have no parts (brushes, etc.) that touch the surfaces of Model 3. Using any other type of car wash could cause damage that is not covered by the warranty.
I realized I’m too lazy to hand wash so I started using a touchless car wash, but after a big snow storm my car was filthy and the touchless wouldn’t do. I went through a car wash with brushes and no issues. After several times now, no charge port problems and no evidence of brush marks.

I know someone will say, “I’m sure I could see brush marks on your car if I looked”. Could be, but just like some people are super-picky with panel gaps and other delivery problems, I had no issues with the car at delivery and I still don’t after a regular car wash.

To each their own I suppose.
 
I realized I’m too lazy to hand wash so I started using a touchless car wash, but after a big snow storm my car was filthy and the touchless wouldn’t do. I went through a car wash with brushes and no issues. After several times now, no charge port problems and no evidence of brush marks.

I know someone will say, “I’m sure I could see brush marks on your car if I looked”. Could be, but just like some people are super-picky with panel gaps and other delivery problems, I had no issues with the car at delivery and I still don’t after a regular car wash.

To each their own I suppose.

Pretty much this, before my Tesla, I bought a brand new BMW 4 series. I took it to a highly reviewed automatic car wash that isn't touchless. It looks great afterwards, but when I go to detail it by hand, I see millions of tiny scratches. If I hadn't of done a thorough hand wash, I probably wouldn't have noticed them, but now I do lol, so now with my Tesla I'll only hand wash or touchless car wash. However, for most people, these tiny scratches won't be noticeable or bothersome.
 
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Pretty much this, before my Tesla, I bought a brand new BMW 4 series. I took it to a highly reviewed automatic car wash that isn't touchless. It looks great afterwards, but when I go to detail it by hand, I see millions of tiny scratches. If I hadn't of done a thorough hand wash, I probably wouldn't have noticed them, but now I do lol, so now with my Tesla I'll only hand wash or touchless car wash. However, for most people, these tiny scratches won't be noticeable or bothersome.
Yeah, when I bought my Tesla I thought I was going to be the guy that kept it clean all the time and hand-washed it, etc. Turns out I'm not that guy. But still looks great to me, which is what counts. :)
 
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Go to Amazon.com and buy the following...

  1. Adam's Tire Shine
  2. Adam's Interior Detailer
  3. Adam's Glass Cleaner
  4. Chemical Guys Detailing Bucket
  5. Chemical Guys Cyclone Dirt Trap
  6. Foam King Deluxe Car Wash Sprayer (This will act as a foam gun, but works with a regular hose, no pressure washer needed)
  7. Adam's Ultra Foam Shampoo

For spot cleaning, I recommend...

  1. Adam's Waterless Car Wash

Regarding automatic car washes... the 100% touchless ones are fine, but don't go to any automatic car wash that has those octopus things touching you car. You will get tiny scratches and swirl marks.

Do you have a link to the foam king deluxe car wash sprayer? I’m not seeing it in the Amazon app.
 
Consider getting some neoprene diving gloves if you want to hand wash on cold (but not freezing) winter days. I picked up a 3mm pair on Amazon for $15 and it makes hand washing bearable even when using very cold water from the tap.