docrobotic
Member
In my experience, stainless steel wipes will clean this right off.
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MY Door Trim Discoloration
- Thread starter jeffpaz
- Start date
My October 2021 build MYLR gets the trim discolorations shown here. But it's easily removed, and I typically wash my vehicle only when it needs it - and even during Winter months I try to not be too picky. So it hasn't been a big problem - but I'd prefer that it not happen.
I don't know if I got "older" trim pieces, or if the updated pieces are still susceptible to the same discolorations. I was one of the "lucky" ones to get an old non-CCS compatible charge port ECU board so... who really knows what other old parts Tesla pulled from the dark hidden corners of their shelves.
A lot of people in these Tesla trim discoloration threads say it's easily removed. However, my experience was that it returned almost immediately regardless of which of the various methods I used. I'm happy they didn't argue with me and just replaced the defective, substandard Tesla parts with later versions to prevent the issue.
The reason it returns almost immediately if one removes it is that the coating/anodization is supposed to be there to repel oil, dirt, contaminants, etc. As soon as that layer is gone, no amount of "removal" of the oily/dirt buildup can prevent it from coming back. I suspect there's also some outgassing going on as well.
And, frankly, it's ridiculous. Tons of other brands use nearly identical anodized aluminum or other trim materials around their windows and exterior and are careful to use good vendors for these parts and they perform quality control and environmental testing to insure quality. Tesla? Not so much.
How’s the Sterling VA service center? I have an appoint for door alignment and broken passenger seat motor on a Model3 I recently picked up for my son.
They must have changed the trim then at some point. Before this was a chemical etching process that was chemically altering the black anodized metal. There's nothing to clean off. You can cover it up with products, but the actual metal and anodized layer had been changed from the pH of the wash chemicals.
Tesla will not replace exterior trim discolored by carwashes. I was charged $1,100 on Monday for trim around rear fixed side windows on my Model Y. The car has been garaged indoors and I took it only to a brushless carwash. Tesla claims warranty for exterior trim voided unless car is hand washed. I understand from Tesla personnel that about 50% of owners have this problem. I'm driving my first and last Tesla.
SabrToothSqrl
Active Member
The problem with the trim around fixed rear side windows was that the veneer warn away down to the underlying white paint.
I think a lot of cars say to hand wash only... owners can make their mind up on if they want to or not.
Car washes could also use far less harsh chemicals, but then the car isn't as clean and customers complain.
I think this would be a hard one to win, especially since in the owners manual it says to hand wash only to avoid damage.
csrpenfab
Member
I'm 16 months in on my MYP with zero trim discoloration issues. I did coat everything with 2-coats of ceramic when it was new, and I run it through an automated car wash (with microfiber brushes and multiple soap/wax steps 
) a few times each month. No issues to date.
) a few times each month. No issues to date.So the ones with brushes might actually be "better." Since they have a mechanical way of cleaning (using a brush) they often can use less potent chemicals. The touchless specifically use chemicals that are high and low pH, which is what causes the damage. A quick google search brings up some Car Wash owner forums (boy, there really is a place for everyone on the internet) and the first post I saw was an owner saying that customers were complaining about the wash not cleaning well enough. Owners are going to want the best cleaning possible, and/or may not maintain correct dilution ratios or equipment. Another poster recommended JBS chemicals and a quick look at the products shows Action Presoak High pH and looking at the safety data sheet (SDS) shows it has a pH of 14 (!) and contains potassium hydroxide. It's used because it's good at dissolving grease and grim. Potassium hydroxide can also be known as lye, which I think most will at least think of as a dangerous chemical that can burn your skin. Now I'm sure it's diluted a lot when used in car wash systems, and probably diluted more when used as a self service wash vs a drive through touchless wash. (Could you imagine kids spraying each other while washing a car and essentially spraying acid or caustic solutions on each other?! So probably very dilute)I'm 16 months in on my MYP with zero trim discoloration issues. I did coat everything with 2-coats of ceramic when it was new, and I run it through an automated car wash (with microfiber brushes and multiple soap/wax steps
There are also low pH wash chemicals used to help dissolve bug guts and stuff. It was a pH around 2.2, battery acid is often thought to be around a pH of 1. Water is around 7. One that I looked at contains phosphoric acid, which can be used for chemical polishing (etching) or metals like aluminum. Again, I'm not suggesting that in the concentrations used in car wash these chemicals do that, but this could be why some washes don't seem to damage the trim and others do. I doubt the owners are really paying attention to the quality of their systems and might think "more soap is better" kind of thing.
I just know it's not worth $1000 to $1500 for me to use a touch less, a SINGLE wash can screw up that trim big time, not worth the risk. I have used self washes and been fine which is what I do in the winter. I'll probably use self washes for the high pressure wash and then finish in my garage with a "waterless" wash once heavy solids have been washed off.
I never take my car to a car wash. Hand wash only and yet after only 11 weeks of ownership the rainbow effect is starting. That’s why I can hear for help.
I just used WD-40 on the trim. One squirt on a microfiber towel per side, and the marks are gone. When I washed the car the trim beaded perfectly so I didn’t apply any other treatments yet.
I’m convinced if they had deployed it against COVID we could have saved millions of lives.
WD fixes everything!
I just used WD-40 on the trim. One squirt on a microfiber towel per side, and the marks are gone. When I washed the car the trim beaded perfectly so I didn’t apply any other treatments yet.
I’m convinced if they had deployed it against COVID we could have saved millions of lives.
WD fixes everything!
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McGuiar’s Gold class car wash, wash mitt, dry with natural chamois skin.
Apply Cerakote rapid ceramic every 6 weeks.
That would seem to be your problem, multiple people have reported the same results:
I’m scrupulous about following their directions too. I do not use a wash mix with heavy concentration of washing soap
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