Hammered Tesla Model 3 Get's Perfected

[TTQ B4U]

First, many special thanks to David Harris from here on CR who I had the opportunity to help with his beautiful red Firehawk nearly 2 years ago. David provided me this referral to help restore a very cool car to what it really should have been from the get-go.

As you can see, it was hammered. Car washes and normal everyday driver care at large, took it's tole and left it very Meh....in terms of what a pure black car should look like. One of the reasons I like pure black so much is the transformation is often very dramatic and it is a WOW! factor that everyone can see and appreciate. This vehicle was no exception.

 

The challenge with Tesla is the paint quality for the cost just doesn't live up to the competition. It's very erratic in thickness and the rear deck lid by the license plate is dangerously thin and as here on this sample, even lacks paint towards the top of the license plate. It's almost as if the machines painting it are dead on perpendicular to the panel but never get enough color coat up to the top. To top it all off the orange peal is equal to an entry level Ford Product.

 

Anyway, for this correction the number one concern were swirls thus the customer was looking for a strong correction. Budgets always come into play but since the customer was willing and appreciate coatings over not just the paint and wheels but all the glass work (a lot of it on Tesla) I would add in the extra couple hours to achieve the full correction. In summary the services here were Premium Enhancement Polish (plus some extra to achieve a higher correction), Dual Layer Ceramic on the Paint and Wheels, Glass Coating, and the rear valance trim, I coated with it's specific coating at no-charge.

 

We got to about 95%+ nearly 100% outside some areas on the rear deck lid and bumper which weren't worth compromising the clear coat to remove. Again, there's no such thing as "removing" scratches, only leveling them out which removes precious clear coat so it is important to measure the paint and know when to say stop as to ensure the existing clear can protect for years and years to come. Mission accomplished.

 

Thank you again to David for his trust in my work and the referral and to the owner for his as well. Here's his lining up next to an identical car at the office come Monday. The difference will be interesting to see

 

Now onto the pics! 2018 Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor with Advanced Auto Pilot

 

BEFORE: As you can see, Automatic Car Washes are not kind to painted surfaces

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFTER: While not Killer in style it is amazing that this sedate little sedan can run low to mid 12's and move-out like the beast she is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I know....some curb damage but hey, that's life with a daily right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full sun shots of black are a true test of how the work put in turned out. There's no hiding much on pure black. I'm proud to say this beauty shines even in pure sun with little to no imperfections showing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ah....shade. I love the candy glow that a nice polish and ceramic provides. DEEP Black and SUPER high GLOSS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 31, 2020 by TTQ B4U

[Mace1647545504]

wow

[Trouble Maker]

Are the trim rings around the sonar that pronounced in real life? They almost look like they have a white trim ring in some of the pictures.

 

Amazing job, I almost can't believe the difference you are making in some of these recent cars with how bad they were to start.

[TTQ B4U]

wow

 

Are the trim rings around the sonar that pronounced in real life? They almost look like they have a white trim ring in some of the pictures.

 

Amazing job, I almost can't believe the difference you are making in some of these recent cars with how bad they were to start.

 

 

 

 

Thanks guys. Unfortunately the trim rings are translucent/clear but not really. In defense however, I took the pics prior to my "final" walk around and clearing of ALL the polish that may have dried. It's a primer for the coating so I have to wait until it fully cures and shows up and I did have some here that needed cleaned up. I took the pics while the sun was in a good spot brightness wise and left the final stuff until before the owner picked it up.

 

Difference wise, it's fun to see for sure. I probably should at some point take the time to do a full before and after series. I'm hit or miss there as I tend to stay focused on the job at hand vs pics. Photos take time and I I tend to move fast and don't stop. I have another 10yr old Black car coming and have no doubt it needs love. LOL!

[BIGGU]

Amazing job as always Tim. I really want a model3 for daily I just have a hard time justifying it for the quality control issues.

[coltboostin]

Now THAT is amazing.

[Trouble Maker]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately the trim rings are translucent/clear but not really. In defense however, I took the pics prior to my "final" walk around and clearing of ALL the polish that may have dried. It's a primer for the coating so I have to wait until it fully cures and shows up and I did have some here that needed cleaned up. I took the pics while the sun was in a good spot brightness wise and left the final stuff until before the owner picked it up.

 

I was pinning on it being more likely some 'bad' part from Tesla maybe in combination with how the light was hitting it. I never for a second thought it might be some polish left behind with your attention to detail on detailing. So if it was worse in the pictures, I was trying to figure out if it was very bad in person or not.

 

I really want a model3 for daily I just have a hard time justifying it for the quality control issues.

 

I almost wonder if a few year used one with some miles on it and a good test drive would be better? It could get over any initial quality issues and they should either be evident or not. I wish they were a few years older now and an option in my head from a depreciation and price standpoint. My better half really wants an EV when we come back and the only real option I can see is the Bolt. So more viable options would be nice. She had a Volt for a few years before this so I have some faith the Bolt will fulfill her wants and needs.

[TTQ B4U]

I was pinning on it being more likely some 'bad' part from Tesla maybe in combination with how the light was hitting it. I never for a second thought it might be some polish left behind with your attention to detail on detailing. So if it was worse in the pictures, I was trying to figure out if it was very bad in person or not.

 

Haha. I had to fess up to the residue though [emoji1] honestly, they don't bother me. Would live with the rings in lue of the power which is addictive.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

[BIGGU]

 

I almost wonder if a few year used one with some miles on it and a good test drive would be better? It could get over any initial quality issues and they should either be evident or not. I wish they were a few years older now and an option in my head from a depreciation and price standpoint. My better half really wants an EV when we come back and the only real option I can see is the Bolt. So more viable options would be nice. She had a Volt for a few years before this so I have some faith the Bolt will fulfill her wants and needs.

 

 

Honestly my issues with it is fit/ finish and shit paint quality which is kinda a big deal. From what I have seen they don't seem to depreciate in value much if getting CPO one. I don't know that I would feel comfortable getting a Tesla with out warranty. I feel it may be better to just get the Model S since its the more quality controlled car.