Paint on rocker panel completely flaking off -- Is this normal?

[bd7349]

I was just walking back to my car when I noticed that along the rocker panel the paint has completely started flaking off. I can even lift it with my finger as seen in the screenshots. This wasn't like this last week or I would've noticed it immediately as I did today (looks like white scratches along the black paint). My car is 1 year and 3 months old with 52k miles, so I'm really surprised to see paint damage this severe already.

Super disappointed in Tesla's paint quality after this. Anyone know what would be the cheapest way to fix this kind of damage? Paint repair kit? Will Tesla cover it?

 

[bd7349]

 

[Chris88]

Do you have a side profile shot down the rocker with good lighting?

It almost appears to be stress cracks/flaking from an impact. Hard to tell in your photos but it kinda looks like the rocker is gradually pushed in and if so this is where the paint would crack.

 

[robl45]

I'm wondering same thing. Mine I'm guessing is from the panels rubbing.

 

[Chris88]

Where is that, on the bumper?

 

[robl45]

Front bumper passenger side right next to headlight.

 

[Chris88]

That's what I thought, have you had it replaced before? Most likely started because of the rubbing but the peeling would be from lack of adhesion to the bumper

 

[robl45]

No I just got car with 10860 miles about 7 months old.

 

[JasontheBeaver]

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This is the clear coat flaking off. Sorry, that sucks. Best you can do is contact Tesla and see if they'll stand behind their quality.

 

[Chris88]

This is the clear coat flaking off. Sorry, that sucks. Best you can do is contact Tesla and see if they'll stand behind their quality.

It's not the clear coat, you'd still see the base underneath not the bare metal.

 

[JasontheBeaver]

It's not the clear coat, you'd still see the base underneath not the bare metal.

I do see the black base coat underneath.

 

[HKP_Tom]

That looks like the e-coat rather than the bare metal, but yes, it’s got an adhesion issue and needs a respray.

 

[Chris88]

Is it me or my phone? It appears to be more of a silvery finish underneath the flaking paint (aside from the bumper)

Not 100% certain about original stamped panels but all replacement panels come in a tan ecoat.

 

[JasontheBeaver]

Is it me or my phone? It appears to be more of a silvery finish underneath the flaking paint (aside from the bumper)

Not 100% certain about original stamped panels but all replacement panels come in a tan ecoat.

Think of clear-coat flaking like plastic food wrap being pulled up off the surface only it's a stiff material instead of flexible. As soon as it pulls up it reflects the light differently and looks bright underneath on camera. I suspect this is why some people think they see the bare metal or gray primer under.
I OP could just flake that piece off with a finger and take another pic to show what I mean; video would be even better.

 

[Chris88]

Think of clear-coat flaking like plastic food wrap being pulled up off the surface only it's a stiff material instead of flexible. As soon as it pulls up it reflects the light differently and looks bright underneath on camera. I suspect this is why some people think they see the bare metal or gray primer under.
I OP could just flake that piece off with a finger and take another pic to show what I mean; video would be even better.

So the black base coat you refer to seeing is on the piece flaking off? Or are you saying you see it left on the rocker? I'm certain this is paint flaking off. My question is whether or not it's from an impact on the rocker.

I agree additional photos from the OP would be helpful

 

[JasontheBeaver]

So the black base coat you refer to seeing is on the piece flaking off? Or are you saying you see it left on the rocker? I'm certain this is paint flaking off. My question is whether or not it's from an impact on the rocker.

I agree additional photos from the OP would be helpful

You know the more I look at the 2 closer photos it's hard too tell. I actually think there are sections where I'm seeing primer/bare metal, but on the picture of his finger lifting the flaking clear it looks like clear-coat delaminating from the base coat.
We need more pics and videos!

 

[bd7349]

Update: Took it to Tesla and it turns out it was caused by a pothole that I hit on the other side of a speed bump. It caused that side of the car to hit right on the rocker panel causing it to bow inward a bit which then caused the metal to crease around the edge near the drivers door. The crease is where the paint split and then from there has started to come off. The silver part beneath the black plate is aluminum as I was told by the service tech (my main concern was that this would cause rusting, but he said it shouldn't).

Glad to have figured out what caused this to happen and that it is not a sign of there being paint issues. Potholes in New England really do have to ruin everything...

 

[Chris88]

Update: Took it to Tesla and it turns out it was caused by a pothole that I hit on the other side of a speed bump. It caused that side of the car to hit right on the rocker panel causing it to bow inward a bit which then caused the metal to crease around the edge near the drivers door. The crease is where the paint split and then from there has started to come off. The silver part beneath the black plate is aluminum as I was told by the service tech (my main concern was that this would cause rusting, but he said it shouldn't).

Glad to have figured out what caused this to happen and that it is not a sign of there being paint issues. Potholes in New England really do have to ruin everything...

This is poor information from your service writer or whoever told you that it shouldn't rust. Technically he's right it will not rust because aluminum doesn't rust, it corrodes. Aluminum corrodes quite quickly when exposed to the elements. The process litterally starts minutes after being exposed. You may not see a negative effect for some time but left unrepaired it will spread and cause further issues.

 

[JasontheBeaver]

Update: Took it to Tesla and it turns out it was caused by a pothole that I hit on the other side of a speed bump. It caused that side of the car to hit right on the rocker panel causing it to bow inward a bit which then caused the metal to crease around the edge near the drivers door. The crease is where the paint split and then from there has started to come off. The silver part beneath the black plate is aluminum as I was told by the service tech (my main concern was that this would cause rusting, but he said it shouldn't).

Glad to have figured out what caused this to happen and that it is not a sign of there being paint issues. Potholes in New England really do have to ruin everything...

Thanks for the update!

 

[robl45]

I've hit plenty of potholes and paint never came off my cars