Hello everyone! I am new to this forum and a brand new Tesla owner. I was told that the paint isn't as strong as other cars and I was wondering from your experience if getting PPF to protect from rocks and other things is necessary. I currently drive on the highway very frequently and just want to know if the added expense is necessary. Thank you!
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Should I get PPF on my new midnight silver Model 3?
- Thread starter The_Kid
- Start date
I don't believe the paint is weaker but I believe Tesla owners love their cars more and care more about dings which all cars get, so yes.
Yeah I am so back and forth on it. I am also worried I will see it on there. Thanks for your response!
Gimmethecash
Member
I've had my car for a little over 3 years now. I thought about PPF, but decided against it. 3 years later, I do not regret that decision.
For work I am constantly on highways. Do you drive on highways a lot or drive a lot in general? I am just trying to gage it. I believe it also has to do with tailgating or just plain old luck hahah
Do you mind me asking how much you paid for full front? I work out of PA so it wouldn't be too hard to get it where you got it I assume haha
techzelle
Member
If you have to think about it, don't do it.
You're going to want to get a new Tesla in 5 years anyway. Not because your car is bad, but because the new ones will be so much better.
You're going to want to get a new Tesla in 5 years anyway. Not because your car is bad, but because the new ones will be so much better.
It’s personal preference and no wrong answer. The way I see it is that I’m not putting my car in a show, so it really doesn’t make sense to protect it. I’m going to pound the piss out of the car with high mileage, so dings are going to a way of life. I don’t like it, but I can’t avoid them. It’s a work car, now a showpiece. I love my car dearly, but I have to accept it’s going to get some scars in life, just like myself.
For what it’s worth, I’ve had my car for over 2 years now and the paint still looks good. There are some dings, but most people won’t notice or care. Here’s something else I couldn’t avoid: stones cracking the sunroof. PPF isn’t going to stop that and frankly, with so much glass on this car, I’m more concerned about it cracking than worrying about the paint.
Enjoy the ride and spend your money on something more useful. YMMV.
For what it’s worth, I’ve had my car for over 2 years now and the paint still looks good. There are some dings, but most people won’t notice or care. Here’s something else I couldn’t avoid: stones cracking the sunroof. PPF isn’t going to stop that and frankly, with so much glass on this car, I’m more concerned about it cracking than worrying about the paint.
Enjoy the ride and spend your money on something more useful. YMMV.
There is an extremely simple answer to this, actually.
If you did that on your other vehicles, do it on this one. If you didnt do this on your previous cars, there is no reason to do it on this one. Its not a porsche or rare car that is going to appreciate in value by sitting in a garage (current used car market exempted).
If you were a person that did this stuff before, do it now. If you were not, dont.
This is really a personal preference. If you despise rock chips and have the cash then yes get PPF. I would at least get full bumper, at least partial hood, side mirrors, front fenders, and rocker panels.
I would recommend doing your research on installers before getting it done. Don't automatically opt for the lowest bid. Ask what their prep process is. Make sure they are decontaminating the paint (clay bar etc). I had a really bad install with bubbles and debris under my PPF that really pissed me off. Kind of my own fault. Got it fixed from a more reputable company. Lesson learned.
I would recommend doing your research on installers before getting it done. Don't automatically opt for the lowest bid. Ask what their prep process is. Make sure they are decontaminating the paint (clay bar etc). I had a really bad install with bubbles and debris under my PPF that really pissed me off. Kind of my own fault. Got it fixed from a more reputable company. Lesson learned.
joebruin77
Active Member
As others have mentioned, this is a personal decision. As I have said in other posts on the subject, a $9 bottle of Turtle Wax Seal and Shine is a perfectly legitimate and effective way to protect your paint.
That said, I personally believe that our Teslas are more prone to rock chips. The huge painted front bumper is very likely to get exposed to rocks and debris. The torque turning the wheels exposes the rocker panels to a lot of rocks and debris. If this doesn't concern you, if you don't care if you get a few rock chips, and if you would rather keep $2K in your pocket, then don't get PPF. But if you want to minimize risks of rock chips, then PPF is unique. It is the only paint protection product on the market that has self healing abilities.
Here is a great video that demonstrates the healing ability of PPF and gives lots of helpful info. Skip forward to time mark 1:25 to see the guy purposely scratch his paint with a steel brush:
That said, I personally believe that our Teslas are more prone to rock chips. The huge painted front bumper is very likely to get exposed to rocks and debris. The torque turning the wheels exposes the rocker panels to a lot of rocks and debris. If this doesn't concern you, if you don't care if you get a few rock chips, and if you would rather keep $2K in your pocket, then don't get PPF. But if you want to minimize risks of rock chips, then PPF is unique. It is the only paint protection product on the market that has self healing abilities.
Here is a great video that demonstrates the healing ability of PPF and gives lots of helpful info. Skip forward to time mark 1:25 to see the guy purposely scratch his paint with a steel brush:
I have a MSM 3 and got full front Xpel PPF the day after I received the car (12/2019) because of advice from other Tesla owners. It was around $2k and was the thicker, 10 mil wrap from Xpel. Yes, it is self healing with scratches but the damage you get on the front of the car isn't from scratches, it's all rock chips. Also, most of the scratches I see that heal could be handled by a fresh coat of wax. 90% of my mileage (30k) is on the highway. Every single rock chip that damages the PPF also makes an impression/chip on my paint. I could have spent $55 on the Tesla Paint Repair Kit and my paint would look better than it does with the PPF.
Am I mad I got PPF? No. Would I get PPF again? Also no.
Am I mad I got PPF? No. Would I get PPF again? Also no.
Had full PPF on two separate Model 3s, Stealth (Matte) on my P3D+. Would I do it again? I'm doing it again on our MY7 (car is actually in the shop getting it right now 
)! But, only front. I hand wash the cars and I'm familiar with what happens to them from regular driving (in our use cases and places we live/travel to, anyway), and I find the protection on the front is invaluable and easily worth the cost (again, for us), while the rest of the car not so much, given the cost.
)! But, only front. I hand wash the cars and I'm familiar with what happens to them from regular driving (in our use cases and places we live/travel to, anyway), and I find the protection on the front is invaluable and easily worth the cost (again, for us), while the rest of the car not so much, given the cost.Similar threads
