Tesla PP and Tint completed - some comments re original paint condition inside ... (not click bait :-))

[Serza]

Hi Folks.

So got the tinting done and the ceramic paint protection. I used CQuartz Finest Reserve (CarPro) for the PP.

I only got the sides tinted (35% front, 20% rear). I also have the genuine mesh window shades for the roof and the back. With the tinting and black interior (seats) the rear actually looks tinted so that's a win.

Couple of comments that I hope may help people's decision to go with PP or not.

Below is a close up and zoomed in shot from a section of my bonnet. This is from the factory. My car had these over the entire bonnet and some similar scratches on the side doors as well.

Very hard to see in normal light conditions, in fact I could only see them in certain light conditions and from certain angles otherwise just looks normal (fantastic even).

My detailer as part of the prep does a paint correction and polishes all these marks out (at least 90% of them).

He did say that Tesla does use soft paints, and the clear coat is very very thin. He also said that unless you use the top end micro-fibre cloths, the standard ones you get from super cheap etc. will create these kinds of scratches.

The car after the PP looks incredible - see pic below - but the photo really does not do it justice. The red colour now really pops big time.

I also checked for the scratches mentioned above under the identical conditions (lights and angle ... all gone ...)

My advice would be - stop washing your car right now and get PP done as soon as possible. Especially for the dark colours (black, red and blue).

Not sure what the policy is for advertising here but if anyone is Brisbane wants the name of the tinter and/or the PP detailer I used - just PM me.

Hope this helps someone...

 

[WyoDude]

This ultra red?

 

[Riasta]

Agree, had mine done too by the best in Melbourne (school of 'if its worth doing its worth doing well')
Stunning colour. Pity Tesla paint (and glass!) is so soft.

 

[WyoDude]

Pity Tesla paint (and glass!) is so soft.

This has been debunked several times by several different groups.

 

[JonDarian]

My car came with a small circle on the bonnet/frunk which looked like it had been scrubbed with something abrasive. No special lighting needed to make it visible and Tesla didn't give a damn.

I couldn't justify the extra expense of PPF, but have done what I can to look after the paint myself. Everything acquires scratches, nicks and UV damage eventually, but it would have been nice to at least start with the car in showroom condition.

 

[moa999]

This has been debunked several times by several different groups.

Also yet to hear of a detailer on any car brand who says, the paints really good, clear coat nice and thick.. we hardly had to do anything.
But here is our bill.

 

[cafz]

There's no way the glass is any different to any other automotive glass, it's not like they make it themselves.

 

[Honda Convert]

PPF front, hood, mirrors, headlights, and rocker panels applied 8/16/24 to mY stealth gray. Allentown PA

 

[mkrone]

This has been debunked several times by several different groups.

This is just wrong. I love my late ‘21 m3p but the paint is very soft. Coming from my 2012 Audi A4, it was a big adjustment in my expectations for exterior wear. The paint looks worse at 45k miles than it did at 120k on my audi. The clear coat is much thinner. It even feels significantly softer. I could dig my fingernail into it with ease, something I definitely couldn’t do on my old car. I park my car next to some tall shrubs at home that drop stuff on it, which never did lasting damage to my Audi. The rear end of my model 3 is covered in little stains that won’t come out with hand washing. Neither car has had any ppf or coatings

 

[WyoDude]

This is just wrong. I love my late ‘21 m3p but the paint is very soft. Coming from my 2012 Audi A4, it was a big adjustment in my expectations for exterior wear. The paint looks worse at 45k miles than it did at 120k on my audi. The clear coat is much thinner. It even feels significantly softer. I could dig my fingernail into it with ease, something I definitely couldn’t do on my old car. I park my car next to some tall shrubs at home that drop stuff on it, which never did lasting damage to my Audi. The rear end of my model 3 is covered in little stains that won’t come out with hand washing. Neither car has had any ppf or coatings

Cool story bro

 

[Jules22]

Important to remember when making generalised statements on either side of the debate

When it comes to paint and build quality, there are vast differences between earlier build and late build vehicles as well as factory of origin.

 

[meloccom]

I have a Model S built in Freemont in October/November 2014.
Admittedly I have PPF on the front panels but the paintwork has held up remarkably well for a nearly 10 year old car and I haven’t noticed that the paint is softer than my previous car a Mercedes.

 

[MOE J]

Hi Folks.

So got the tinting done and the ceramic paint protection. I used CQuartz Finest Reserve (CarPro) for the PP.

I only got the sides tinted (35% front, 20% rear). I also have the genuine mesh window shades for the roof and the back. With the tinting and black interior (seats) the rear actually looks tinted so that's a win.

Couple of comments that I hope may help people's decision to go with PP or not.

Below is a close up and zoomed in shot from a section of my bonnet. This is from the factory. My car had these over the entire bonnet and some similar scratches on the side doors as well.

Very hard to see in normal light conditions, in fact I could only see them in certain light conditions and from certain angles otherwise just looks normal (fantastic even).

My detailer as part of the prep does a paint correction and polishes all these marks out (at least 90% of them).

He did say that Tesla does use soft paints, and the clear coat is very very thin. He also said that unless you use the top end micro-fibre cloths, the standard ones you get from super cheap etc. will create these kinds of scratches.

The car after the PP looks incredible - see pic below - but the photo really does not do it justice. The red colour now really pops big time.

I also checked for the scratches mentioned above under the identical conditions (lights and angle ... all gone ...)

My advice would be - stop washing your car right now and get PP done as soon as possible. Especially for the dark colours (black, red and blue).

Not sure what the policy is for advertising here but if anyone is Brisbane wants the name of the tinter and/or the PP detailer I used - just PM me.

Hope this helps someone...


View attachment 1073437


View attachment 1073430

Looks great

 

[Vostok]

This is just wrong. I love my late ‘21 m3p but the paint is very soft.

I don’t even know what “soft paint” is… is that a brand? Never heard the term until I started reading Tesla discussion boards

The paint looks worse at 45k miles than it did at 120k on my audi. The clear coat is much thinner. It even feels significantly softer. I could dig my fingernail into it with ease, something I definitely couldn’t do on my old car.

My paint still looks good after nearly 5 years, not that I care much about it. I had it ceramic coated, but no PPF. Ceramic coating was just to make it easier to wash… on the rare occasions that I wash it

 

[Kenoooop]

Hi Folks.

So got the tinting done and the ceramic paint protection. I used CQuartz Finest Reserve (CarPro) for the PP.

I only got the sides tinted (35% front, 20% rear). I also have the genuine mesh window shades for the roof and the back. With the tinting and black interior (seats) the rear actually looks tinted so that's a win.

Couple of comments that I hope may help people's decision to go with PP or not.

Below is a close up and zoomed in shot from a section of my bonnet. This is from the factory. My car had these over the entire bonnet and some similar scratches on the side doors as well.

Very hard to see in normal light conditions, in fact I could only see them in certain light conditions and from certain angles otherwise just looks normal (fantastic even).

My detailer as part of the prep does a paint correction and polishes all these marks out (at least 90% of them).

He did say that Tesla does use soft paints, and the clear coat is very very thin. He also said that unless you use the top end micro-fibre cloths, the standard ones you get from super cheap etc. will create these kinds of scratches.

The car after the PP looks incredible - see pic below - but the photo really does not do it justice. The red colour now really pops big time.

I also checked for the scratches mentioned above under the identical conditions (lights and angle ... all gone ...)

My advice would be - stop washing your car right now and get PP done as soon as possible. Especially for the dark colours (black, red and blue).

Not sure what the policy is for advertising here but if anyone is Brisbane wants the name of the tinter and/or the PP detailer I used - just PM me.

Hope this helps someone...


View attachment 1073437


View attachment 1073430

That red tho!!! Sheesh looks incredable

 

[singlespeed]

Agree with ceramic coating a car, mine was done with NXTZEN two days after I received it. And equally important is how to maintain it after getting it coated. A lot of people struggle as there are so many options. In summary, a good foam cannon is critical, along with some quality cleaning products. I use Carpro Reset for most washes and regularly use Carpro Hydro as well.

Some good tips here: MJJC Australia Detailing Tips & Hacks

 

[MOE J]

Agree with ceramic coating a car, mine was done with NXTZEN two days after I received it. And equally important is how to maintain it after getting it coated. A lot of people struggle as there are so many options. In summary, a good foam cannon is critical, along with some quality cleaning products. I use Carpro Reset for most washes and regularly use Carpro Hydro as well.

Some good tips here: MJJC Australia Detailing Tips & Hacks

Do u still need an electric polisher or old fashioned hand polish

 

[meloccom]

Do u still need an electric polisher or old fashioned hand polish

Prior to ceramic coating a Detailer will usually complete a proper paint decontamination and paint correction before applying the ceramic coat. The ceramic coat bonds to the paint and acts like a long lasting wax finish, so you shouldn’t need to polish for some time after and doing so may remove the ceramic coating. Applying the coating is a relatively simple wipe on with an applicator and buff when dry. The paint should then repel dirt allowing a longer time between washes.

 

[singlespeed]

Adding to the comment above. Even new car paint needs a clay bar and polish to have ceramic coating applied. A quality application of coating will last years if the car is kept clean. At this point, I only contact wash my car every 3-5 washes, most of the time it’s just foam and rinse.

 

[SpokenFour]

Adding to the comment above. Even new car paint needs a clay bar and polish to have ceramic coating applied. A quality application of coating will last years if the car is kept clean. At this point, I only contact wash my car every 3-5 washes, most of the time it’s just foam and rinse.

View attachment 1075371

What foam is that? have never seen it washed that way!