I work on 10-20 Tesla weekly. What questions do you have about Window Tint, PPF and coatings?

[MinnesotaMX]

My Shop here in the Midwest works on 10-20 Tesla a week. We specialize in Full body PPF, Window tinting, Chrome delete, and coatings.

What questions do you have for me?

Window tinting
- Rear windows should be done 1 piece.
- Side windows ask if they can shave it.
- Ceramic film? how can you tell if they install ceramic?

PPF
- Should you bulk or pre-cut?
- Tesla T on the hood should be replaced with New
- Side camera remove or not? (clips can break)
- 1 piece the front bumper? 1 piece the rear hatch?
- Stealth wraps are you tucking in? is it a must? is it worth it?

Just trying to help model 3 owners understand this stuff before you spend $$$.

 

[ChrisH]

My Shop here in the Midwest works on 10-20 Tesla a week. We specialize in Full body PPF, Window tinting, Chrome delete, and coatings.

What questions do you have for me?

Window tinting
- Rear windows should be done 1 piece.
- Side windows ask if they can shave it.
- Ceramic film? how can you tell if they install ceramic?

PPF
- Should you bulk or pre-cut?
- Tesla T on the hood should be replaced with New
- Side camera remove or not? (clips can break)
- 1 piece the front bumper? 1 piece the rear hatch?
- Stealth wraps are you tucking in? is it a must? is it worth it?

Just trying to help model 3 owners understand this stuff before you spend $$$.

Why is a full wrap of Xpel stealth like $8000?

 

[mhan00]

From what I understand, a proper chrome delete requires removing parts (like AP cameras, side mirrors), how hard is it to do so without damaging the car?

 

[SageBrush]

Hi,
Please comment on front windshield tinting, and the risk of electronics damage from the install.

I was set to tint my windows last summer, and then the shop changed its policy to not tinting the windshield.

 

[MinnesotaMX]

Why is a full wrap of Xpel stealth like $8000?

Full stealth wraps have the biggest price range. prices depend on
- Is the shop using the xpel dap program?
- Did they spend the time on the dap program to extend the cuts?
- are they removing the headlights, front bumper and rear bumper to tuck in all the film?

Prices for stealth should be 5000-6500 ish

 

[Shizzrock]

Are the paint defects such as these able to be removed with paint correction?

 

[MinnesotaMX]

Hi,
Please comment on front windshield tinting, and the risk of electronics damage from the install.

I was set to tint my windows last summer, and then the shop changed its policy to not tinting the windshield.

I've done many front windshields on all Tesla. My X and model 3 are done.

Yes, it's very dangerous due to electronics. with the proper tools, you can do it perfectly fine. Make sure your installer is using a rope type fabric to tuck deep down so the water doesn't go into the dashboard.

 

[BrandonLive]

I’m getting full front Xpel Ultimate done this week at AccuTint Bellevue. Anything I should ask and/or tell them?

 

[MinnesotaMX]

From what I understand, a proper chrome delete requires removing parts (like AP cameras, side mirrors), how hard is it to do so without damaging the car?

Chrome delete on the model 3 is easier than the X or S.

Side cameras are tricky... They are hard to remove without sheering off the top plastic clips. It's doable but not easy. The Side cameras will still go into place but not as tight.

Chrome delete around the mirror is also doable without removing. IF the shop is removing they will def charge you extra.

 

[P85_DA]

Ceramic film? how can you tell if they install ceramic?

This ^^

 

[MinnesotaMX]

Are the paint defects such as these able to be removed with paint correction? View attachment 342089 View attachment 342090 View attachment 342088

Paint correction can do the paint wonders! every tesla that comes into the shop has some kind of paint defects. A good detailer will make that car look better then the day it came off the tesla assembly line.

Paint nibbles, fish eyes, or dirt in the paint will be the hardest to fix. almost impossible without repainting.

 

[MinnesotaMX]

This ^^

Other shops around me are tinting model 3 for 250.00 and advertising its Ceramic.

How can you tell its ceramic? as a consumer pretty much you cant. Ask them to see the box. watch them pull the film out of the box.

 

[MinnesotaMX]

I’m getting full front Xpel Ultimate done this week at AccuTint Bellevue. Anything I should ask and/or tell them?

What brand film whats getting covered?
bulking? or do they have a cut program?
replacing your Tesla emblem or using the old one?
any paint/clear correction
are they removing side camera if you are doing full fenders.

 

[P85_DA]

Wrapped PPF edges or closely cut to edge ? On previous S my wrapped edges started to lose grip over time ..on X I had cut very close to edge ..thoughts ?

 

[MinnesotaMX]

Wrapped PPF edges or closely cut to edge ? On previous S my wrapped edges started to lose grip over time ..on X I had cut very close to edge ..thoughts ?

This is the biggest issue I read online. Most installers have egos and will tell everyone they tuck all the film in. or they will bulk a whole car.

It's simple... I like my installs to be "stressfree" for the consumers. Tuck in areas where it should be tucked in. line up the film to the edge as close as possible without any lifting issues.

Some shops will round off edges of the tip of the fenders, some will run it sharp. Running it sharp covers most the fender tips but is more likely to lift over time.

Tesla model 3 gaps are so tight up front i dont see anyone tucking in the film all the way in without removing the bumper.

 

[ebmcs03]

Will full rear one piece glass tint crack the back windshield due to heat?

 

[BrandonLive]

What brand film whats getting covered?
bulking? or do they have a cut program?
replacing your Tesla emblem or using the old one?
any paint/clear correction
are they removing side camera if you are doing full fenders.

It’s Xpel Ultimate. Their website says “The Clear Bra pieces are plotter cut by hand and installed by hand. Our digital patterns can be customized so we can cover any specific vehicle part or even the entire vehicle (a Full Body wrap).“

They told me on the phone they’ll do paint corrections as needed on the parts of the car being covered (will get them to do the test before ceramic coating is one at a later date).

I’ll have to ask about the Tesla emblem and side cameras. What’s your recommendation?

 

[MinnesotaMX]

Will full rear one piece glass tint crack the back windshield due to heat?

Honestly, I read this happening before.. Its never happened to me. not sure if the glass is breaking after the install or during?

During the install, you have to be careful with the heat gun. The rear glass has a layer of UV protectant where it could have weird circles if the installer heats it up to long

 

[Thomas Edison]

My Shop here in the Midwest works on 10-20 Tesla a week. We specialize in Full body PPF, Window tinting, Chrome delete, and coatings.

What questions do you have for me?

Window tinting
- Rear windows should be done 1 piece.
- Side windows ask if they can shave it.
- Ceramic film? how can you tell if they install ceramic?

PPF
- Should you bulk or pre-cut?
- Tesla T on the hood should be replaced with New
- Side camera remove or not? (clips can break)
- 1 piece the front bumper? 1 piece the rear hatch?
- Stealth wraps are you tucking in? is it a must? is it worth it?

Just trying to help model 3 owners understand this stuff before you spend $$$.

PPF
- Should you bulk or pre-cut?
- Side camera remove or not? (clips can break)
- 1 piece the front bumper? 1 piece the rear hatch?

 

[P85_DA]

Ceramic over PPF ? Or waste of $$?