So I just accidentally stumbled upon on of Tesla's affiliated body shops

[TurnFast]

The parking lot was full of red model 3s with paint defects everywhere.
I'm now a bit more stressed out about my up comming delivery. Though I only saw red ones (I think 5-6) and min is silver so maybe it's primarily red with the paint problems?

 

[Gavyne]

Red is the hardest one for them, according to Elon's recent tweet. But honestly, have you tried looking at cars shipped to dealerships from factory? Most people only see their cars after the dealerships had detailed them. So keep in mind cars are often not perfect straight out of the factory.

Buying a Tesla is like skipping the dealership detail job, it's bound to look more raw. And this isn't to say there are no improvements to be made on Tesla's part. They definitely should continue to improve.

 

[Foxtrotter]

I think you will be fine with silver. Our silver 3 made in April has really good paint. On the other hand our red 3 delivered a month ago has a number of small flaws in its paint. Not horrible but definitely not nearly as good as the silver.

 

[S4WRXTTCS]

The Blue Metallic Model 3 that I picked up a couple weeks ago had paint flaws as well. I opted against getting a due bill for it as it was just a nipple on the rear bumper, and couple other minor things.

During delivery I didn't see a Model 3 that didn't have paint flaws except the demo one. The demo one was absolutely flawless, and it happened to be red.

I think what were seeing is a combination of sheer volume, and that Tesla paint sucks.

 

[voip-ninja]

The parking lot was full of red model 3s with paint defects everywhere.
I'm now a bit more stressed out about my up comming delivery. Though I only saw red ones (I think 5-6) and min is silver so maybe it's primarily red with the paint problems?

I commented a few months ago that red is the most difficult color to paint or repair.

Because it is.

Model 3 even uses tinted clear coat to give it depth.

They probably have to provide factory materials to shops doing rework to have a prayer of it turning out okay.

On the bright side you have a factory paint warranty and Tesla will stand behind you.

 

[Uncle Paul]

Many manufacturers use tinted clear coat over base to give it a high quality luster.

 

[Shizzrock]

those aren't even bad except for that one dent. Almost every car has a fisheye somewhere if you look closely. That actually made me feel better

 

[Trevor B]

How does one "accidentally stumble upon a body shop"? Where is this btw?

 

[TurnFast]

Taking my kids to soccer lessons at an indoor facility in Washington and noticed a bunch of model 3s in the parking lot of the business next doo, turned out to be an auto body shop that seems to specialize in Tesla's.

Was also a good opportunity to compare charge port door alignment of a bunch of models. Every single model 3 there had the charge port door protruding more than the static reflectors it emulates on the other (right) side. I'm assuming that's just how all model 3s are then? If I see it at my delivery I might try to call it out but I expect I'll be told it's with in speck *shrug*

 

[S4WRXTTCS]

those aren't even bad except for that one dent. Almost every car has a fisheye somewhere if you look closely. That actually made me feel better

So the technical term isn't a nipple?

 

[Aieukl378]

The parking lot was full of red model 3s with paint defects everywhere.
I'm now a bit more stressed out about my up comming delivery. Though I only saw red ones (I think 5-6) and min is silver so maybe it's primarily red with the paint problems?

Don't stress. My 2016 S was red and it was gorgeous...got compliments all the time etc. The hood on the S is especially beautiful as it's so huge and a big focal point when folks walk past the car. Anyhow, recently sold to Car Max and during the appraisal told me the hood was reworked/repainted(he could tell by running his finger along the inside edge where the hood meets the windshield). If I hadn't had the car appraised I would never had known this and wouldn't have cared cause it looked amazing!

Fact is all manufacturers re work stuff and we never know. With Tesla everyone(customers, press etc.) is so hyper vigilant absolutely every piece of minutia is known which frankly causes a lot of unnecessary stress. I'm sure your car will be awesome!