Tesla Service Paint Repair/Repaint Experiences...Please Share

[Eddyrelik]

Hey all,

So I took delivery of my Model 3 a few days ago, and noticed a speck of what may be dust/dirt UNDER my red paint. The delivery specialist took a picture and logged it so that I can take it in to service and likely repaint the trunk. Now that I've had more time to look at the car, I noticed several contaminants under the paint on the trunk, and now also on BOTH rear quarter panels near the trunk! Def going to take it to service soon and its very clear the problem is under the paint.

After the many Tesla Service experiences I've read about on here, I know that Tesla should do right on this and re-paint these panels (I hope they do haha). The trunk didn't worry me at first as I though its a removable/replaceable part that can be separately painted. But now since I see both rear quarter panels, I am worried its an extensive re-paint and since the red is a tricky color that it won't come out even to the whole car.

Thought perhaps some of you can share some of your paint horror stories and fixes....all successful? Any Fails? Advice?

 

[P85_DA]

Since Tesla outsources to approved body shops it really depends on shop doing the work ...Tesla recently began in house body shop repairs in certain markets so that may be an option for you to take to their new Van Nuys location

 

[Rockster]

Yes, it's all up to the specific shop. I've dealt with both of the Tesla approved shops in Dallas for an MS Red repaint and one did a great job and the other paint job left overspray on the surrounding rubber and glass and had runs and drips and horrible orange peel texture.

 

[Eddyrelik]

Since Tesla outsources to approved body shops it really depends on shop doing the work ...Tesla recently began in house body shop repairs in certain markets so that may be an option for you to take to their new Van Nuys location

They have their own body shop there? The closest service center I have is in Agoura Hills, but i definitely would like to get it done right....it also sucks to think I won’t have the car for a long while but hopefully they would loan me another Tesla....

 

[P85_DA]

They have their own body shop there? The closest service center I have is in Agoura Hills, but i definitely would like to get it done right....it also sucks to think I won’t have the car for a long while but hopefully they would loan me another Tesla....

Yes Tesla is piloting several in house body shops locations here

Body Shop Support

 

[mobilesuit818]

I have a good story.,.

5/25: Picked up my wife's M3 with noticeable paint defects(pinhole/ fisheye on all panels).
6/8: Dropped off my car to local service center, got a P85 Loaner (no complaints)
6/29: Adviser said vehicle was done, came to inspect, and defects still present. SC said another 2-3 weeks,
7/13: Adviser said vehicle was done, came to inspect, and defects still present. SC said another 4 weeks,
7/24: Adviser said vehicle was done, came to inspect, and defects still present. SC said another 1 week,
7/29: Adviser said vehicle was done, came to inspect, and defects still present after car was brought home.

Cons: Worth mentioning that I had my car for 2x week only and have made a total of 2x payments
Pros: Tesla did give me a Loaner P85, and made other concessions to make me happy(cant say what it is).

 

[Eddyrelik]

I have a good story.,.

5/25: Picked up my wife's M3 with noticeable paint defects(pinhole/ fisheye on all panels).
6/8: Dropped off my car to local service center, got a P85 Loaner (no complaints)
6/29: Adviser said vehicle was done, came to inspect, and defects still present. SC said another 2-3 weeks,
7/13: Adviser said vehicle was done, came to inspect, and defects still present. SC said another 4 weeks,
7/24: Adviser said vehicle was done, came to inspect, and defects still present. SC said another 1 week,
7/29: Adviser said vehicle was done, came to inspect, and defects still present after car was brought home.

Cons: Worth mentioning that I had my car for 2x week only and have made a total of 2x payments
Pros: Tesla did give me a Loaner P85, and made other concessions to make me happy(cant say what it is).

Wow...that is not cool! What color is your M3?

I just made an appointment for Monday morning in Agoura Hills,CA. They made a note for a loaner car but cannot verify if it will be a Tesla...

What service center and body shop are you dealing with?

 

[Eddyrelik]

Washed my M3 this morning and inspected the entire car to see if there were any more paint defects than the couple I found. I was surprised, AGAIN. Found WAY too many all over the car! A lot of fisheyes and contaminants. Marked them all with painters tape.

Going into service appointment in the morning....see what they say. I don’t see any other fix than re-painting the ENTIRE car. This sucks....wish me luck...

 

[mobilesuit818]

That’s pretty much what I did so that there was no question.

I just dropped off my car again for the 5th time after being assured that the paint shop addressed it, guess not.

The SC I’ve been dealing with is Burbank and the manager and I are now text buddies.

Washed my M3 this morning and inspected the entire car to see if there were any more paint defects than the couple I found. I was surprised, AGAIN. Found WAY too many all over the car! A lot of fisheyes and contaminants. Marked them all with painters tape.

Going into service appointment in the morning....see what they say. I don’t see any other fix than re-painting the ENTIRE car. This sucks....wish me luck...

View attachment 323307 View attachment 323313

 

[Eddyrelik]

That’s pretty much what I did so that there was no question.

I just dropped off my car again for the 5th time after being assured that the paint shop addressed it, guess not.

The SC I’ve been dealing with is Burbank and the manager and I are now text buddies.

Wow. What did they do the first four times? Did they Just try to “buff” it out? Maybe you wouldn’t notice? Or did they paint that many times?

 

[Adam3]

Washed my M3 this morning and inspected the entire car to see if there were any more paint defects than the couple I found. I was surprised, AGAIN. Found WAY too many all over the car! A lot of fisheyes and contaminants. Marked them all with painters tape.

Going into service appointment in the morning....see what they say. I don’t see any other fix than re-painting the ENTIRE car. This sucks....wish me luck...

Holy cow. Sorry dude. Do you have any close up photos of the defects?

 

[Eddyrelik]

Holy cow. Sorry dude. Do you have any close up photos of the defects?

Yeah i know. Really makes me feel bad that it’s this bad....waited all this time for an imperfect new car. I almost wish I noticed all of these on delivery, and maybe refused it. But saw in another thread someone with same problems with Red paint, so maybe many have same problem?

Im going to try to take some close ups in the morning. It was tough last week to take pics with iPhone on such small details on the red paint. Might try my mirrorless camera...

 

[mobilesuit818]

The shop actually painted different panels like whack a mole, but must have not gotten the fisheye out.

There was a large one on the bumper, and they ended up changing the bumper to a brand new one stating that the previous bumper had some contaminants.

Wow. What did they do the first four times? Did they Just try to “buff” it out? Maybe you wouldn’t notice? Or did they paint that many times?

 

[lairdb]

I am concerned that I won't spot these sort of body and paint issues until well after pickup -- I just don't have the eye for finding detail until I happen to notice it, and I don't have experience in auto body paint (fisheye? 'excessive' orange peel?)

I also don't have a relationship with a local body/detailing/etc. shop, though there is a well regarded and Tesla-authorized body shop nearby.

Other than dropping in there and offering somebody $50 to come along to my pickup appointment to inspect and document (which, tbh, sounds a little confrontational and also cumbersome), any suggestions?

 

[mobilesuit818]

Like I said previously, you can reject the car but I think that’s being diva-ish.

Pick up the car and give Tesla the opportunity to fix the car. Don’t forget there is always an exit strategy aka lemon law...

 

[Eddyrelik]

Took it to Tesla service this morning but they ran out of loaners. So going back Wednesday morning early. They gave me the name of a local body shoo they use in Thousand Oaks, and I called them to see if they have worked on Tesla’s much and specifically the red. They said they do them “everyday”....

Here’s some pictures of what I got going on....there’s even what looks like a hair under the paint on the door sill....

 

[Eddyrelik]

The shop actually painted different panels like whack a mole, but must have not gotten the fisheye out.

There was a large one on the bumper, and they ended up changing the bumper to a brand new one stating that the previous bumper had some contaminants.

What color is your Model 3?

 

[Adam3]

Took it to Tesla service this morning but they ran out of loaners. So going back Wednesday morning early. They gave me the name of a local body shoo they use in Thousand Oaks, and I called them to see if they have worked on Tesla’s much and specifically the red. They said they do them “everyday”....

Here’s some pictures of what I got going on....there’s even what looks like a hair under the paint on the door sill....

Thanks for the photos. Hard to believe that passed the paint department and other QA inspections. Keep us posted.

 

[JFW1103]

Washed my M3 this morning and inspected the entire car to see if there were any more paint defects than the couple I found. I was surprised, AGAIN. Found WAY too many all over the car! A lot of fisheyes and contaminants. Marked them all with painters tape.

Going into service appointment in the morning....see what they say. I don’t see any other fix than re-painting the ENTIRE car. This sucks....wish me luck...

View attachment 323307 View attachment 323313

Wow! This is making me nervous. I ordered a red Model3 about 5 weeks ago and I think I will be too excited at finally getting mine that I might not even notice these types of details until days later. To spend so much time and money to get this incredible car to have it delivered with so many paint issues would be disappointing.

 

[Linkeds2]

Like I said previously, you can reject the car but I think that’s being diva-ish.

Pick up the car and give Tesla the opportunity to fix the car. Don’t forget there is always an exit strategy aka lemon law...

From what I’ve read about lemon law in California. The defect of the vehicle has to substantially impair vehicle use. So Tesla has a case to deny a request for buyback if all is wrong with the car is appearance flaws