Swirl marks etc since delivery day.

[stove77]

I collected my red M3 last month. I noticed there were swirl marks etc on the car but was told to log it on the app and SC will sort it out. That’s marks are highly visible in the sun.

The first time I took it to SC, they did a machine polish. I collected the car and couldn’t tell immediately as it was rainy that day. Later on, when the sun came out, I noticed a lot of the marks were still there.

I took it to the SC the second time now. They agreed that it was visible and would fix it again.

I collected the car yesterday and could not see much wrong with it anymore. I did advise them when it’s sunny I’ll get back to them. As it was raining yesterday.
This morning, now that it is sunny, I went to see the car. I can see an improvement but the issues are still there.

I don’t know what else I can do now. As twice now the issue has not been rectified properly.

 

[stove77]

More

 

[Durzel]

Have you washed it at all in between taking it to the SC and taking photos of it? As you say you couldn't inspect it properly both times you collected it.

It basically just needs detailing.

I would say, however, that direct sunlight is very unforgiving of even the slightest blemish.

 

[stove77]

No I have not washed the car as I wanted the issue rectified properly before washing it.

 

[Alic01]

I have heard of other people getting contributions towards a detail, that would be your best bet here as the issues you have look like they could be rectified by a skilled detailer.

In my experience dealerships for any brand will only ever achieve the kind of results you have, a quick single stage machine polish in one area will always generate that sort of marks, they dont have the time or skills available to correctly rectify defects.

 

[curmudgeon]

I had the same problem with my car, logged it and then asked the SC for a contribution to get it polished properly at a detailers. SC refused, insisted Tesla must sort it out, promising to have it polished by their own detailers.
I could see from the app that the car left the SC but all they did was put wax on it. I could see the marks where there were gaps in the wax when I collected it. Couldn't be bothered arguing. I even have swirls marks in the charge port cover, it's that bad.

The only thing to do is take it to a detailers, mine quoted 250 for polish and sealant. I'll take it over when I get around to it. Not bothered about the money, more the SC wasting my time.

What vin number range is your car? I'm LRW 170xxx. I suspect it may be a batch that was cleaned with stones at the start if March

If it's any consolation, it's not unusual for dealerships of any brand to rub swirl marks in a car, they are generally incompetent and don't care, so getting a new car polished to fix the damage is pretty standard. It is really annoying though because it's so avoidable with a little care.

 

[Durzel]

Any sponge or chamois or whatever that has been used over the entire car will add swirl marks like that. They’ll run the sponge around the wheel arch and underneath the sills and it’ll pick up whatever detritus is there, which is then rubbed across the paint.

They’re not going to be doing two bucket washes with multiple clothes for different parts of the car.

If it’s not going to a specialist from a SC then realistically that’s the best you’re going to get.

 

[MrBadger]

Moderator comment - the Admin team are aware of the spurious "Low Stock" prefix in the title

Update - hopefully now sorted

 

[btc1k]

Any sponge or chamois or whatever that has been used over the entire car will add swirl marks like that. They’ll run the sponge around the wheel arch and underneath the sills and it’ll pick up whatever detritus is there, which is then rubbed across the paint.

They’re not going to be doing two bucket washes with multiple clothes for different parts of the car.

If it’s not going to a specialist from a SC then realistically that’s the best you’re going to get.

Indeed. Audi came back from routine service last month to swirls all over a brand new bonnet.

Truth is that only the car enthusiasts among us seem to notice.

In reply to thread, sorry not sure you're going to get anywhere chasing it.

For me in the future I am never letting any dealer wash the car. Will get it detailed myself and look after it myself.

 

[curmudgeon]

At delivery the 2019 model 3 I was trading in was parked next to the new car and the difference was obvious. No swirls in the old car but the new car's paint was terrible.
Luck of the draw I think.

 

[stove77]

Background:
Collected the car in March. It was rainy and gloomy day so did not notice the swirl marks/scratches initially. Only noticed wing mirror had a scruff and the exterior of the car was not clean. (Muddy, dust etc.)


The next day it was sunny. Noticed the marks all over the car. Contacted tesla. They sent a mobile technician the following week. He said he couldn’t do anything and do take it to SC.

I took it to SC. They said they will sort it out. They said it was machine polished. Car seemed fine as but then again was not sunny that day.


Soon after, sun comes out and I notice the marks are still there. Contact SC and they agree to sort it second time now. This time I showed the folks the pictures and videos and agreed the marks were there.

30 hours later I had a call to say car was fixed. I collected it and said will throughly check the car and get back to them. The very next day I told them the marks are still all over.
I was advised to send pictures and drop an email and they will get back to me after bank holiday.

Update.

Tesla are insisting they painted the whole car again and it’s of factory finish. After they had kept the car for about 30 hours. They said they will no longer be rectifying this. Even though I sent the above pictures as some of the pictures are from day of collection and the two of the back are from the day of collection after giving Tesla a 2nd chance to fix this issue.

more photos attached on the marks taken in the dark with lighting as the sun has not been out constantly.

tesla are also insisting these marks are caused by washing (I have not washed the car and told them this from day one) and driving styles of road chips/grit etc. I’m not sure how they have concluded stone chips cause swirl marks

Realistically what are my next steps? I appreciate all the help.

 

[Alex987854]

If you have legal advice with your insurance, now would be a good time to use it.

 

[curmudgeon]

Realistically what are my next steps? I appreciate all the help.

Assuming these are just in the clear coat, so you can't feel the scratches with your finger nail, then I had the same problem, Don't expect Tesla to fix the swirls, If the paint swirls annoy you (they do on my car) then you will be really upset when you get the stone chips on the sills in a few hundred miles so I would strongly recommend you do this asap:

1. Book the car into an xpel approved installer for...
2. Full paint correction, ie, a polish to get all the swirls out
3. Have the xpel PPF sill kit installed
4. Have a liquid sealant applied. Something liike Gtechniq c2.

Then all your paint worries are sorted. Above should cost about 600 quid tops.

Only ever wash it with two bucket method, and wipe another coat of the Gtechnic sealant on after each wash.
Go and get it polished again in a few years if needed.

 

[stove77]

The car is a lease hence why I didn’t want to get PPF as I thought they cost in the thousands.
I have shown the car to some professional detailers (via pics) and have said it is bad but fixable. Also they agreed to do a report in person on the issues of the paint. As Tesla are adamant it’s factory finish and the car has been repainted (which I don’t believe it has)

 

[stove77]

If you have legal advice with your insurance, now would be a good time to use it.

I have motor legal cover with my car insurance and not sure that covers it

 

[Alex987854]

I have motor legal cover with my car insurance and not sure that covers it

Calling and asking them won't cost anything.

 

[Alex987854]

The car is a lease hence why I didn’t want to get PPF as I thought they cost in the thousands.
I have shown the car to some professional detailers (via pics) and have said it is bad but fixable. Also they agreed to do a report in person on the issues of the paint. As Tesla are adamant it’s factory finish and the car has been repainted (which I don’t believe it has)

It would make sense to bring the lease company into the loop. It's their car, and they might want to intervene with Tesla. At the very least they won't be able to accuse you of damaging the paint at the end of the lease.

 

[stove77]

It would make sense to bring the lease company into the loop. It's their car, and they might want to intervene with Tesla. At the very least they won't be able to accuse you of damaging the paint at the end of the lease.

thanks for your help.
I am leasing directly from Tesla under contract hire

 

[curmudgeon]

The car is a lease hence why I didn’t want to get PPF as I thought they cost in the thousands.
I have shown the car to some professional detailers (via pics) and have said it is bad but fixable. Also they agreed to do a report in person on the issues of the paint. As Tesla are adamant it’s factory finish and the car has been repainted (which I don’t believe it has)

Ah lease, yes, sorry, different matter then if its not your own car. Tesla have not repainted your car, in the same way Belfast didn't polish the swirls out of my car.

Tesla really do need to learn to use clean water when they prep the cars.

 

[curmudgeon]

Out of interest, what VIN are you? Not LRW 170xxx by any chance?