WWYD: Fixing paint chips under paint protection film

[2021 M3P]

I recently took touchless delivery of my Tesla Model 3 and the advisor told me I had 100 miles/7 days to give it a look over so I took the car and immediately drove over to the PPF shop.

Upon pick up of the fully wrapped vehicle, the PPF shop noted some issues but most important were the two paint chips on the car. One on the driver's side A pillar and another was two scratches (1") of missing paint from the driver's side rocker.

Tesla currently has the car to fix the frunk/rear tailgate gap and has offered to fix the paint issues as well. I'm hoping that it won't require a respray and fingers crossed it will be some form of professional paint chip repair instead. I asked the advisor to contact me before moving on with fixing the paint but either way I believe the car will need new PPF installed on the lower rocker panel as well as complete rear quarter panel since the film extends the the whole distance to the front.

The PPF shop did offer me an option to inject touch up paint into those chips with a syringe through the PPF. Has anyone had this done before? It would only be the color, no clear over the paint.

If cost wasn't really a concern, what would you do?

 

[XLR82XS]

I would not inject paint through the film. How big are the chips? This is why I taped my cars at delivery BEFORE driving off the lot.
View media item 120198

 

[KenC]

I recently took touchless delivery of my Tesla Model 3 and the advisor told me I had 100 miles/7 days to give it a look over so I took the car and immediately drove over to the PPF shop.

Upon pick up of the fully wrapped vehicle, the PPF shop noted some issues but most important were the two paint chips on the car. One on the driver's side A pillar and another was two scratches (1") of missing paint from the driver's side rocker.

Tesla currently has the car to fix the frunk/rear tailgate gap and has offered to fix the paint issues as well. I'm hoping that it won't require a respray and fingers crossed it will be some form of professional paint chip repair instead. I asked the advisor to contact me before moving on with fixing the paint but either way I believe the car will need new PPF installed on the lower rocker panel as well as complete rear quarter panel since the film extends the the whole distance to the front.

The PPF shop did offer me an option to inject touch up paint into those chips with a syringe through the PPF. Has anyone had this done before? It would only be the color, no clear over the paint.

If cost wasn't really a concern, what would you do?

Pics would be nice.

 

[2021 M3P]

That would've been a good idea to tape before leaving but they had the cars out in a lot under the sun with tons of cars moving around and other people taking delivery. Pretty much was a situation where you wanted to get in the car and leave ASAP lol.

I'll take pics shortly.

 

[Adam3]

I would most likely leave it alone. Is anyone besides yourself going to notice it? Putting a hole in the PPF does not sound like a good idea. Water and debris will then get stuck under the PPF.

 

[kev1n]

I would most likely leave it alone. Is anyone besides yourself going to notice it? Putting a hole in the PPF does not sound like a good idea. Water and debris will then get stuck under the PPF.

they already syringe your ppf post job completion to get any water/air out that they missed

 

[Perscitus]

A year or two ago we had someone else post about the exact same issue. The end result was a cluster*@&$ of finger pointing between Tesla SC and PPF/Coating shop and it didnt really end too well for the OP.

Search around and you will find the gory thread. Silver car, satin or matt finish after wrap or PPF and coating.

 

[roblab]

they already syringe your ppf post job completion to get any water/air out that they missed

Having done some PPF work, I can tell you that we (my brothers and I) looked for bubbles, then poked a pin through the film, then pushed the bubble out through the hole in the film with our fingers. We did not use a syringe or "suck" out any air. It comes out by itself. If one were to find a bubble under the film, it is extremely easy to prick the film and let the air out, pushing it with the fingers. The film adhesive seals the hole.

Water is usually squeegee'd out from under the film, as it doesn't compress, and once near the edge, it runs out.

 

[1.21GW]

I would not inject paint through the film. How big are the chips? This is why I taped my cars at delivery BEFORE driving off the lot.]

That would have taken a while! Most blue tape I have seen on a car before

 

[2021 M3P]

I just washed the car and found a huge paint defect on the passenger side rear door, about the size of a thumbnail. I am going to just get the trouble areas re-sprayed and get the PPF applied on the panels again.

Wish the PPF shop had called me to tell me about the defects before wrapping as well. You would think that'd be the protocol.