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Minor Paint Issues turned Major
- Thread starter NorCalChris
- Start date
jkoya
NA2 NSX
super20g
Member
Good luck, man. I've had Tesla's go sideways (not literally) after going to the body shop. Not fun. I'd ask for comp... Did you get FSD? I'd ask for it if not. You didn't ask for a new car that needs a complete paint job... Or have them replace it. They will, you might just have to file an arbitration case first before they will offer to buy back instead of going through with the arb case. Hopefully it comes back looking like new and you are happy. I'd go over it with a fine toothed comb with you get it back. A LOT of the car comes apart for a full repaint.
I would keep harassing them until you're satisfied. I took delivery of a black LR RWD back in March, and the paint was terrible. The weather was crap for awhile (PNW) after delivery, so I didn't realize how bad it was until I was outside the window where Tesla would do something. I wound up just getting a heavy detailing/paint correction, which is annoying. Great car, but I shouldn't have accepted this in hindsight.
Any idea of what I should shoot for to get out of Tesla for this? Once it's all said and done my car will have been in the body shop for almost, if not over, 30 days. Have a good friend who's Model 3 was in the shop for 45 days last year for a couple issues and they ended up giving him a set of wheels and winter tires.
Actually the paint formulas started changing in 2008. I have a red G8 and the paint was soft. That’s the biggest issue, some colors are more susceptible then others. Time curing, overall environment along with the low VOC’s really impact the end results.
You are better off letting them paint the whole car. I wouldn’t let them do a partial, even the best body shops can’t prevent or predict the color or clear coat change/fade over time.
super20g
Member
A new car if it was me... Just ask them. If they decline, just fill out https://www.ncdsusa.org/documents/Tesla Customer Claim Form.pdf and check the replacement box. Pretty sure an arbitrator will agree that a customer shouldn't have to keep a new car that required a full repaint.
This is good advice, but might put you in a pickle if you have to take delivery before EOY for the tax credit.
jkoya
NA2 NSX
That was me last year. Took delivery first week of December and the VIN assigned to me had lots of paint flaws and a frunk alignment issue. Thought about not accepting delivery, but was afraid I wouldn't get a Blue Performance with White interior replacement before 12/31/19 for the full tax credit. Eventually worked out, but took 2.5 months for the Tesla Approved body shop appointment. Paint match was perfect and the frunk is aligned now as well.
UPDATE:
Today is day 28 the car is in the body shop. A buddy of mine was in the area and from my Tesla app I could see the car was parked outside so I had him drive by to see what he could see (image attached). It's obviously going to be well over 30 days total when it's finished.
Was battling with Tesla about some kind of compensation up until about a week and a half ago then dropped it figuring I'll wait until the 30 day point hits. Now that it's approaching and Lemon law kicks in I'll be ramping up my calls and emails, especially since before I never got past the local delivery manager. Wish me luck...
Today is day 28 the car is in the body shop. A buddy of mine was in the area and from my Tesla app I could see the car was parked outside so I had him drive by to see what he could see (image attached). It's obviously going to be well over 30 days total when it's finished.
Was battling with Tesla about some kind of compensation up until about a week and a half ago then dropped it figuring I'll wait until the 30 day point hits. Now that it's approaching and Lemon law kicks in I'll be ramping up my calls and emails, especially since before I never got past the local delivery manager. Wish me luck...
Attachments
jonquiljo
Active Member
It isn't 30 consecutive days. It's 30 days total! Hasn't your car been at Tesla shop before?
30 days for a obvious defect like yours will not be easily defended in a lemon law complaint like yours. Use your leverage. I
nope, I had the car for two weeks then went in for these paint issues for the first time. Hasn’t been in for any other reason.
jonquiljo
Active Member
OK ... 2 more days and you have them. You will have all the leverage you need. Good luck.
Proflig8tor
Member
Former paint and body guy who did high end restorations (Ferraris Porsche ...)
Painting is a process. Tesla, for whatever reason, has not invested in that process. Not properly covering the body isn't a result of the California code or the EPA. It just takes time to ensure the body is clean and ready to accept paint, then a little more time to ensure parts are getting even coverage and a little more time to have somebody on the back end to check the stuff before it gets sent out the door. As others have noted, other manufacturers do it without any problem. Some manufacturers like Acura are unbelievably great.
My pure guess is that finish remains a low priority for the company as long as incredible demand for the product remains. Basically Tesla is calling us putzs and we are saying, yah. My car has terrible paint, but the car itself is so good that even I let it pass. My plan is to enjoy it for a few years, buy a Y and then pull this thing completely apart and rebuild it.
Yeah, it sucks that such a stunning design is being finished like a pre-school craft project. You can bet your ass that anything Elon drives is not painted like our cars.
Painting is a process. Tesla, for whatever reason, has not invested in that process. Not properly covering the body isn't a result of the California code or the EPA. It just takes time to ensure the body is clean and ready to accept paint, then a little more time to ensure parts are getting even coverage and a little more time to have somebody on the back end to check the stuff before it gets sent out the door. As others have noted, other manufacturers do it without any problem. Some manufacturers like Acura are unbelievably great.
My pure guess is that finish remains a low priority for the company as long as incredible demand for the product remains. Basically Tesla is calling us putzs and we are saying, yah. My car has terrible paint, but the car itself is so good that even I let it pass. My plan is to enjoy it for a few years, buy a Y and then pull this thing completely apart and rebuild it.
Yeah, it sucks that such a stunning design is being finished like a pre-school craft project. You can bet your ass that anything Elon drives is not painted like our cars.
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super20g
Member
In my state it is 30 business days to meet lemon criteria. In CA it is 30 consecutive days? I would check that paint job out very closely all over when it is done.
In CA it's 30 cumulative days. Either way though I'll hit it tomorrow.
jkoya
NA2 NSX
What are those 4 light colored blotchy spots on the frunk - are those reflections ?? Is that Kniesel's parking lot ?