Why do so many Tesla owners wrap their cars?

[kavyboy]

It's because we can't blow all our money on other things like forced induction and other airflow mods

Yeah, that's kind of what I was thinking (although I don't know what those things are). Teslas are fun, but there isn't too much to tinker with. Gone are the days of driving under a strong oak tree branch and lifting the engine out... few ways to feed our inner Goober Pyle.

 

[hcdavis3]

Because there are so few factory colors to choose from. I picked blue, which I rarely see, when compared to the "free white", then gray, then black, then red, followed by blue, then silver. Not saying blue is some rare color like silver, I'm just thinking of all the cars I see regularly, I can only think of seeing a handful of blue Model 3s in last year. I would guess white is probably more popular than all the other colors combined, around me.

Soft paint is also a Tesla thing.

Mine is blue. Only see a few other blue cars in my travels.

 

[brkaus]

Why do tech geeks put led lighting in their computer cases? One will never know - but they want it and can pay for it - so why not?

 

[NXN-P3D]

Because there are hundreds of thousands same looking teslas with the same 4 boring (and thin) colors. With wraps, there are hundreds of unique options and more or less, you protect the paint - at least from UV and some minor scratches. If you want to change it - peel and put another one. Also, hard to get a good matte look with paint for similar price.

 

[bpobill]

I've noticed that compared to owners on other forums I follow (BMW, Porsche, Corvette), Tesla owners are far more likely to wrap their cars in a different color. Is it because Tesla only offers 5 colors as opposed up to a dozen or more for some of the other manufacturers? Or is it because there are so many on the road that owners want their cars to be different?

Because there’s no engine and transmission mods so owners get bored quickly. Tesla owners love throwing too much money on silly mods. Wraps, ppf, ceramic coating. Not that the mods are bad, but the prices paid that I see are insane. They are paying a Tesla tax.

 

[KyleM3]

Vanity and narcissism

I was going to ask if you’re always a miserable douche, but after seeing your comments in multiple threads I already know the answer. Why are you here?

 

[LiveSai]

easy to change the color if you don't like it. plus if some colors cost a lot more then wraps so wraps can be budget friendly looking at the color flips paint can cost like 30k for the job

 

[Mr X]

Because

 

[variable]

+1 on the rubbish Tesla paint job (which seems to be partially dependent on how rushed they built your car -- in my case, it seems pretty rushed based on all the issues I've had so far).

The paint will chip and scratch easier than most any other car, including ultra cheap cars, you may own. I've had mine for <2000 miles (Dec 2020 pickup for 2021 model 3) and it already has primer color scratches that didn't show up until I had it detailed. Sure, might have been the detail shop, but I don't know and would doubt they used something that could cause these if they are well reviewed (which they are).

I'm getting mine XPEL and PPFed in a week or so and wish I had when I first got it. It's much easier to protect the paint that is there then to touch it up after it's been scratched. This also might be why people just get "free white" and wrap it.

Also, there is a class action lawsuit in Quebec right now and a Facebook page devoted to making it international based on the number of customers with bad paint that were given the cold shoulder by Tesla. So it's not a surprise people would just want to do a wrap. Heck, five years down the road after the life of my XPEL is up I might consider it assuming the car is still drivable (let's not talk about being on a new set of HVAC sensors as well as a new compressor in < 2000 miles already). You basically sneeze at the paint and it scratches down to the primer.

Some photos for those who are silly like me and NOT thinking about getting some kind of paint protection off the lot. <2000 miles of easy driving friends.

I would also add that if you do get your Tesla detailed at any point, make sure it's a shop that has a track record with them. If the paint / clear coat is softer than most, it's possible they could make things look worse.

 

[variable]

Because

Cornflower blue? If so, VW did that in a recent GTI run and I agree, it looks amazing -- I love how the wheel logos and calipers were done to match, too.

 

[T3SLAROD]

Lack of available paint colors

To stand out

Part of the Mod “Stages” since you really can’t do anything performance (Battery) wise

 

[cbutters]

I think it is because many Tesla owners are actually conservative spenders; who are spending way more than they ever would for any other car, They spent 50k+ on a Tesla, when normally they just drive used honda civics or mazdas, or cheap hybrids, but just because they are geeks or enjoy the technology, and want a full electric car; they are spending way more than they normally would; and consider it an investment and want to protect it as much as possible. I know I'm in that camp. I never really would be the type to buy a fancy sportscar, and had never spent more than ~20K for a car before my Model 3. But because I love the tech, I went all in on a P3D+, and I wanted to make sure it lasts 10+ years; which is why I did the PPF wrap... I'm so cheap I studied up on film application techniques and I did the wrap myself and even my own window tint as well.

 

[Kevy Baby]

It's trendy.

Vanity and narcissism

Why are you so negative? So you don't want to do it. I haven't (and won't) do any exterior visual modifications, but that is my choice (all extra money I've spent has been for my benefit while driving the car), but I do not disparage those who chose to do so. I think almost all the modifications I've seen (wraps, rims, lowering, etc.) have been cool to look at.

Why disparage others?

 

[traxion]

Tesla paint is considerably weaker, so protection is one of the factors for wrapping. Perhaps some people just want a different color for their own, particularly if owners want a satin color.

Is it pretty easy to remove the wrap at resale?

 

[Electroman]

easy to change the color if you don't like it. plus if some colors cost a lot more then wraps so wraps can be budget friendly looking at the color flips paint can cost like 30k for the job

Great point. You can buy the basic color, white, in a Model S and then add a red wrap for $4K instead of paying $2500 to Tesla for the red color. So for just $1500 more you get the exact red color shading of your choice plus paint protection. For a $100K car that is just a small delta.

 

[stopcrazypp]

Great point. You can buy the basic color, white, in a Model S and then add a red wrap for $4K instead of paying $2500 to Tesla for the red color. So for just $1500 more you get the exact red color shading of your choice plus paint protection. For a $100K car that is just a small delta.

Note that a color change wrap tends to be a vinyl wrap that is much thinner than PPF, 3-5 mils versus 8 mils and also would tend to not have the self healing properties of PPF. It still provides some protection for the paint, but not nearly as much. There are PPF wraps available to change the sheen of the car (like matte) but not sure if there are color change PPF.

 

[CaptUAL]

F**cking terrible! I'm so glad I have extensive PPF - the film is taking a beating (doing it's job)

Me too..PPF whole car the day after I got it. The only way to fly

 

[asian_xl]

it is false advertisement that PPF will last for 10 years, and ceramic coasting for 3-5 years. I had PPF front-only for 2 years, scratch goes away in the first year, then 2nd year swirl mark all over the hood. I do believe R&D on these two probably much better than 10 years ago, but no way they last long. Way too many stories on FB that PPF replaced within 5 years.

I do agree the M3 buyer groups are more willing to pay to maintain and to soup up the car. Feels like when iPhone was first launch.

 

[joebruin77]

it is false advertisement that PPF will last for 10 years, and ceramic coasting for 3-5 years. I had PPF front-only for 2 years, scratch goes away in the first year, then 2nd year swirl mark all over the hood. I do believe R&D on these two probably much better than 10 years ago, but no way they last long. Way too many stories on FB that PPF replaced within 5 years.

I do agree the M3 buyer groups are more willing to pay to maintain and to soup up the car. Feels like when iPhone was first launch.

If your PPF had the problems you described, you can make a warranty claim. That is one reason I chose to have my Xpel PPF installed by an Xpel-authorized installer. If there are any problems with the PPF, they really do stand behind their product and will replace it free of charge. The 10-year warranty is even transferable to a new owner in the event that you sell your car.

 

[Electroman]

If your PPF had the problems you described, you can make a warranty claim. That is one reason I chose to have my Xpel PPF installed by an Xpel-authorized installer. If there are any problems with the PPF, they really do stand behind their product and will replace it free of charge. The 10-year warranty is even transferable to a new owner in the event that you sell your car.

I heard somewhere - maybe here in TMC - if you try to sell it to Tesla as a trade-in, Tesla will force you to remove the wrap or will low ball the trade-in value to have it removed.