Red - paint quality issues

[duy.duck]

Hello all,

Picked up my car August 4th at Costa Mesa. Felt rushed, signed paper work within 1 minute. A lot of small paint issues that could probably be fixed with a detail, which I planned to schedule an appointment for until...

After I brought the car home, I found this (pictured below). Excuse my lack of knowledge of car anatomy, but this is at the foot of the entrance of driver's side back seat after opening the door. It looks like there is grit underneath? Or possibly excess of the clear coat? I also noticed a couple of these on the trunk hood and the area of paint above the left doors. It looks like maybe something dirty was sprayed onto the left side and the clear coat was painted on anyway.

It is obvious QC is very lacking, and I'm frustrated that I have to call them now. Hopefully the repair center is nice and will readily accept it for fixing. My biggest fear is that this is will take a very long time to repair.

 

[Adam3]

wow.... how is the rest of the car?

 

[duy.duck]

wow.... how is the rest of the car?

Panel gaps are better than my sister's blue. Rest of the car was acceptable...except for excess buffer that I had them take to the back to detail but some got left behind.

Oh by the way my VIN is 42XXX.

Does anyone else have this issue? Also, should I defer the clear bra application until this gets fixed?

 

[Osilva]

Panel gaps are better than my sister's blue. Rest of the car was acceptable...except for excess buffer that I had them take to the back to detail but some got left behind.

Oh by the way my VIN is 42XXX.

Does anyone else have this issue? Also, should I defer the clear bra application until this gets fixed?

Do not install the protection film until the paint is perfect. Any paint defects need to be corrected. You want to see a perfect paint finish every time you wash your car. To me, that is what makes PPF worth it: the fact that your vehicle will look perfect for years to come.

 

[duy.duck]

I found another cluster, feels and looks like herpes (haha!) on the front driver's side. I think I need to stop looking.

This is my first Tesla. What is the best way to make an appointment? Call or do it online?

 

[daver6640]

Welcome to the Club! Mine had small scratches on it nothing major but definitely not good. Wish me luck appt for Aug 14th. I heard the Red is the most difficult to match. I am not saying it can’t be done. Take a look at the Tesla online store no Multi Coat Red...wonder why?

I would agree that quality control is not good. I have heard some folks with no issues so maybe just bad luck who knows.

Try to make appointment online. I tried online but it had me call a number instead because no local Service Center in my area.

Good Luck! At least the car drives great.

 

[duy.duck]

Welcome to the Club! Mine had small scratches on it nothing major but definitely not good. Wish me luck appt for Aug 14th. I heard the Red is the most difficult to match. I am not saying it can’t be done. Take a look at the Tesla online store no Multi Coat Red...wonder why?

I would agree that quality control is not good. I have heard some folks with no issues so maybe just bad luck who knows.

Try to make appointment online. I tried online but it had me call a number instead because no local Service Center in my area.

Good Luck! At least the car drives great.

Thanks!

Well...when I first got home, there was a "need service message, steering wheel assist off" or something along those lines. I did a hard re-boot. Nothing happened. I turned off and on the car, and the message disappeared and hasn't come back. It's only second day but crossing fingers. Thanks for reminding me though, this is something I will bring up to the service center just to be safe.

I still see red as a build option...not sure what you're talking about?

 

[daver6640]

Thanks!

Well...when I first got home, there was a "need service message, steering wheel assist off" or something along those lines. I did a hard re-boot. Nothing happened. I turned off and on the car, and the message disappeared and hasn't come back. It's only second day but crossing fingers. Thanks for reminding me though, this is something I will bring up to the service center just to be safe.

I still see red as a build option...not sure what you're talking about?

Lol. Not the build the touch up paint.

Model S/X/3 Paint Repair Kit

 

[S4WRXTTCS]

Thankfully Tesla increased the pricing of the paint so this kind of thing will never happen again.

 

[Brian's ReX]

For what it's worth, my red X had some areas where the detail shop told me that there was still some residue from the shipping film (I see new cars on semi-trucks that are coated in white plastic, so I assume that's what they were talking about).

I appeared similar to what I can tell from the pictures, and it felt 'gritty' (probably just sticky). When I had my paint correction done, all this disappeared. My X is gorgeous now!

I certainly can't guarantee that's what you have, but I certainly hope so!

 

[daver6640]

For what it's worth, my red X had some areas where the detail shop told me that there was still some residue from the shipping film (I see new cars on semi-trucks that are coated in white plastic, so I assume that's what they were talking about).

I appeared similar to what I can tell from the pictures, and it felt 'gritty' (probably just sticky). When I had my paint correction done, all this disappeared. My X is gorgeous now!

I certainly can't guarantee that's what you have, but I certainly hope so!

I want to do a paint correction and ceramic coating DIY but waiting until after body shop appt. I am glad yours looks good now. Cant wait to join you.

 

[duy.duck]

For what it's worth, my red X had some areas where the detail shop told me that there was still some residue from the shipping film (I see new cars on semi-trucks that are coated in white plastic, so I assume that's what they were talking about).

I appeared similar to what I can tell from the pictures, and it felt 'gritty' (probably just sticky). When I had my paint correction done, all this disappeared. My X is gorgeous now!

I certainly can't guarantee that's what you have, but I certainly hope so!

You did paint correction done by third party? The only way these things can be erased is by removing the clear coat. There's definitely no "stick" to them. There are firmly ingrained under the clear coat.

 

[Eddyrelik]

I have MANY of the same paint problems. All over my red M3. Taking it in tomorrow morning. Put blue painters tape everywhere I found a problem. My car is partially blue now.

Here’s my thread...
https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/tesla-service-paint-repair-repaint-experiences-please-share.124424/#post-2928915

 

[duy.duck]

I have MANY of the same paint problems. All over my red M3. Taking it in tomorrow morning. Put blue painters tape everywhere I found a problem. My car is partially blue now.

Here’s my thread...
https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/tesla-service-paint-repair-repaint-experiences-please-share.124424/#post-2928915View attachment 323369 View attachment 323370

Please come back here and let me know how it goes! Thanks!

Is this a problem only with red?

 

[Brian's ReX]

You did paint correction done by third party?

Paint correction - as I understand it - is something best left to experts (body shops/higher end detail shops, etc.), and not something Tesla offers in it's service dept.

It was Tesla that advised that I go to my Auto Salon - stating, in essence, "this is the first step, and if paint correction doesn't work, we'll take it to the next level".

I was lucky, I guess... After my paint correction (and subsequent wrap/coating), my X is near perfect. No need for 'the next level'.

If yours is under the clear... I doubt paint correction will work.

 

[Red3]

Paint correction - as I understand it - is something best left to experts (body shops/higher end detail shops, etc.), and not something Tesla offers in it's service dept.

It was Tesla that advised that I go to my Auto Salon - stating, in essence, "this is the first step, and if paint correction doesn't work, we'll take it to the next level".

I was lucky, I guess... After my paint correction (and subsequent wrap/coating), my X is near perfect. No need for 'the next level'.

If yours is under the clear... I doubt paint correction will work.

The Tesla Service Center that I went to in Sunnyvale, CA does do detailing. They have a full-time detailer on staff. I complained about some etchings in the paint. It looked like bird droppings left on too long and they buffed it out using a polisher and some Meguiar's compound. I'm not sure if all Tesla Service Centers have a detailer though. I don't expect them to be at the quality of a high-end detailer but they should be able to buff out anything that is just on the clear coat.

 

[bomquito]

I have MANY of the same paint problems. All over my red M3. Taking it in tomorrow morning. Put blue painters tape everywhere I found a problem. My car is partially blue now.

Here’s my thread...
https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/tesla-service-paint-repair-repaint-experiences-please-share.124424/#post-2928915View attachment 323369 View attachment 323370

Same here. Picked up my red m3 with paint issues. Going back to service center next Monday for the fix. I’ve got bubbles within the clear coat. Hope they can repaint. Vin 490xx

 

[Stirfelt]

I just do not understand how vehicles with these kind of paint blemishes leave the factory.
I can understand residue from shipping protection, but those shown above do not appear to be that.

If ever there was justification for not buying a first year vehicle ... Tesla is making a good convincing case.
The problem is (based on post on this and other threads) Tesla appears to continue to struggle with inconsistency. Why some vehicles leave the factory "perfect," and others have issues ........ is hard to understand.

Isn't 42xxx a fairly early VIN. Is it possible that improvements have been made over the past month or so.

I wish that all posters (good and bad) would include the VIN. It would help readers to evaluate if progress is being made. It would also help to understand that vehicles higher than xxxx have a better chance of being "perfect."

 

[Brian's ReX]

The Tesla Service Center that I went to in Sunnyvale, CA does do detailing. They have a full-time detailer on staff.

While the Bellevue, Wa SC does detailing as well, apparently they don't do 'paint correction'. I understand there's a big difference between cleaning and buffing/waxing a vehicle (detailing) - and what is involved in the paint correction process. Similar, I'm sure, but my SC thought it best to have a specialist work on my X.

In actuality, all my issues were either on top of the Clear Coat, or within the Clear Coat... so 'easily' correctable. I have to assume that anything that is 'under' the Clear Coat would have to be stripped and re-done? I was lucky, I guess

Side Note (but related):

When I dropped my X off to get everything done, there were many other cars there getting tended-to. I remember watching a tech working on a door panel, just polishing (or whatever he was doing) away!.

I had to wait for my wife to pick me up, and she was stuck in typical Bellevue traffic, so I had a 90-ish minute wait . I walked and got some lunch, and a short walk whilst waiting. When she FINALLY arrived, that tech was STILL working on that door panel! Now, I admittedly know shite from shinola about paint correction, but LORDY, if that's how much work it is... my hat's off to those of you that DIY this!!!

 

[duy.duck]

Please come back here and let me know how it goes! Thanks!

While the Bellevue, Wa SC does detailing as well, apparently they don't do 'paint correction'. I understand there's a big difference between cleaning and buffing/waxing a vehicle (detailing) - and what is involved in the paint correction process. Similar, I'm sure, but my SC thought it best to have a specialist work on my X.

In actuality, all my issues were either on top of the Clear Coat, or within the Clear Coat... so 'easily' correctable. I have to assume that anything that is 'under' the Clear Coat would have to be stripped and re-done? I was lucky, I guess

Side Note (but related):

When I dropped my X off to get everything done, there were many other cars there getting tended-to. I remember watching a tech working on a door panel, just polishing (or whatever he was doing) away!.

I had to wait for my wife to pick me up, and she was stuck in typical Bellevue traffic, so I had a 90-ish minute wait . I walked and got some lunch, and a short walk whilst waiting. When she FINALLY arrived, that tech was STILL working on that door panel! Now, I admittedly know shite from shinola about paint correction, but LORDY, if that's how much work it is... my hat's off to those of you that DIY this!!!

I don't know how I can tell if the "dirt" is in the clear coat or under it.