Model S Plaid: Paint chipping on Rear quarter panel and doors

[EPOWER PLAID]

Love this car. I don't drive it on dirt roads and only hand wash. My rear quarter panels are getting chipped. Looks like the New flare out is catching the road debris. Anyone else seeing this on their car? only 800 miles

his?

 

[razh]

I just wanted to say.. Knock wood (will probably change right after I post this) but my white MSLR refresh now has 700 miles. No rock chips on the rear quarters or the bumper - and this is in Colorado, where we dump metric tons of sand and gravel each winter on the roads. I’ve taken it up to 100+ several times in insane mode. No chips.

I still plan on doing the flaps for sure, but I find this odd after seeing others blasted after 800 miles. I have heard rumors that the low-VOC paint they use due to California regs is soft - but also that it’s just slow to cure. I got my car on 7/6, so 700 mi in a little over a month, and most of that was 3 weeks after delivery.

Not saying my paint cured more than others and that’s part of the issue, but just some data. I’ve been checking for chips and just don’t have them. Doubt I’m “in the clear” but just something to mention.

Does anyone else NOT have chips after 6-800 miles???

Could you take a picture of the area for us with the camera flash on?

 

[bhzmark]

Could someone show the areas that get chips.on a full profile pic of the car? Would be nice to see where problem is before it starts. Considering white painters/gaffers tape on vulnerable body areas for the ride home , including a gravel road, before putting on the mud flaps

 

[ct101]

Could you take a picture of the area for us with the camera flash on?

I’ll try that tonight. Maybe I am missing something.

 

[webshot]

Thanks @webshot for testing and confirming - did you use front wheel or eyeball the back fender as your guide on how far out it should hang?

I kinda used both. Stepped back from car several times to make sure it looked right.

 

[ct101]

Could you take a picture of the area for us with the camera flash on?

Here you go. Didn’t drive it this weekend so still where I was at ~700 miles (693 to be exact.) This is mostly driving on I-25/I-70 between Evergreen CO, Denver and Colorado Springs and the roads and highways around there. In other words, lots of gravel and sand as anyone out here can attest. I haven’t been particularly gentle, as I’ve been playing with the acceleration.

Other side looks no different. Makes me also wonder if others were sandblasted by a single incident??

 

[ct101]

Note, saw some marks after taking the photo - most rubbed off with my thumb. Not saying people aren’t having this experience. Just find it weird mine is different. It is an LR - but I don’t see much that would make this a plaid-only phenomenon??

 

[razh]

Looks great!!

 

[jebinc]

Some pictures of those $20 Amazon flaps installed front and rear.

 

[ct101]

Wow

Some pictures of those $20 Amazon flaps installed front and rear.
View attachment 697098

Looks good, but that install looks a little complex. How was it?

 

[jebinc]

Wow


Looks good, but that install looks a little complex. How was it?

What’s difficult, especially with the air suspension, is first locating the flap and and flap levelness - before you jack the car and pull the wheel. Also, you will need a push pin kit (Amazon). Moderate difficulty.

 

[swishamike]

Love this car. I don't drive it on dirt roads and only hand wash. My rear quarter panels are getting chipped. Looks like the New flare out is catching the road debris. Anyone else seeing this on their car? only 800 miles View attachment 685948his?

Drive mine 1500 miles now chips at all and I drive fast and on bad roads

 

[distortion2112]

Did you have to do drilling for the install? I’d like to go this route, but don’t want to permanently altered my wheel wells

 

[jebinc]

Did you have to do drilling for the install? I’d like to go this route, but don’t want to permanently altered my wheel wells

For what I did, drilling was required. Much better than having paint damage, IMO.

 

[Nauvoo]

Love this car. I don't drive it on dirt roads and only hand wash. My rear quarter panels are getting chipped. Looks like the New flare out is catching the road debris. Anyone else seeing this on their car? only 800 miles View attachment 685948his?

Looking for any feedback or experience with Charlotte, NC area PPF (Paint Protection Film) and or Ceramic protection. Taking delivery of 2021 Model S LR MSM 19" Tempest on 8/30 and would like to get this protection right after delivery. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[ssv22]

Some pictures of those $20 Amazon flaps installed front and rear.
View attachment 697098

Looks great! what drill bit size did you have to use? I wonder if I can make do with the existing holes in there without drilling more holes in the car.

 

[jebinc]

Looks great! what drill bit size did you have to use? I wonder if I can make do with the existing holes in there without drilling more holes in the car.

A size equal to the push pin shaft diameter.

 

[VolcanoTacos]

My model S is supposed to be here October 06-26. I know it’s a ways out but if you guys can wait I’ll figure out how to make a universal set of rally armor flaps work. I did the same and fabricated brackets for my fiancé’s Rav4 prime.

 

[LucaRiv]

On your screw a washer is missing and hopefully it will not rust
And protect the body/plate with a nylon, teflon or rubber washer

It's a shame to have pierced the wing of the car.
I think it's possible to aim in the wheel arch with a spacer. no?

 

[jebinc]

On your screw a washer is missing and hopefully it will not rust
And protect the body/plate with a nylon, teflon or rubber washer

It's a shame to have pierced the wing of the car.
I think it's possible to aim in the wheel arch with a spacer. no?

@LucaRiv Yes, it's possible, but you risk grit getting in there and damaging the wing - a problem that existing with the TSolutions flaps on the model three. Yes, the hardware (one provided screw) used in that picture is temporary. I plan to replace with stainless steel. There is also double-sided 3M tape, and PPF, between the flap and wing. The one hole is drilled through that as well (for sealing sake). Again, the mod was done ASAP from delivery, to save the rest of the car from wheel thrown debris damage. Once I get the SS screws installed, I might just consider these flaps the permanent solution.

 

[juanmedina]

Here is someone without PPF or anything at 4k miles