When my Model S was delivered, there was a relatively deep rock chip in the hood that I noted to the DS immediately with photo proof. There was also a light scuff/scratch in the hood. I explained my disappointment, and that my plan had been to put paint protection film on the car within a day or two of delivery. Tesla's solution was to have me skip the paint film on the hood and they ordered a complete new hood that they wanted to have painted. They also said that I could not have paint film applied to the repainted hood for 30 days minimum and that they would keep it at the service center for the 30 days to allow the paint to cure. I was not happy, but agreed to this solution. In the meantime, I went ahead and got film on the rest of the areas I had planned, but did not coat the hood. Then this weekend I stopped by the body shop that is authorized to do Tesla repairs and had them evaluate the chip. Their opinion was that they could do a spot fill, polish and clear coat touchup that would not be noticeable. They would also polish out the scuff mark. They said that such a small spot could be immediately covered with paint film since there would be so little solvent involved.
I greatly prefer having a factory finish on the hood that was painted at the same time as the rest of the car to guarantee color match. I'm not thrilled with the idea of having a hood installed without a factory finish that was painted at a shop that did not have the rest of the car at the shop to do final color correction/match. There is little downside in me letting the shop try the touchup method, since I can still have Tesla replace the hood if it does not come out looking nice and the shop has said they won't even charge for the chip repair (since they had already received, painted and sent to the service center the separate new hood). I'm going to have them do the repair, but am curious whether anyone else has had similar experience or opinions on which would be the better option.
I greatly prefer having a factory finish on the hood that was painted at the same time as the rest of the car to guarantee color match. I'm not thrilled with the idea of having a hood installed without a factory finish that was painted at a shop that did not have the rest of the car at the shop to do final color correction/match. There is little downside in me letting the shop try the touchup method, since I can still have Tesla replace the hood if it does not come out looking nice and the shop has said they won't even charge for the chip repair (since they had already received, painted and sent to the service center the separate new hood). I'm going to have them do the repair, but am curious whether anyone else has had similar experience or opinions on which would be the better option.
