Tesla Model 3 in-depth paint review. Made in China v USA built comparison.

#tesla #model3 #paint

To help answer the questions people have been asking about the paint quality of the Tesla Model 3 that are made in China, in comparison to those made in Fremont, USA, we have been testing numerous examples of Tesla Model 3 over the last few weeks.

Here are our findings so far!

If you would like to consider PPF paint protection film please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Follow daily story board posts on our Instagram and Facebook pages

To get a discount on a new tesla click here:

[almoyes]

Great vid - there is a lot of rubbish talked about Tesla paint quality, and you have spent considerable time to get to the facts. Thank you!

[pandroid]

Very useful video content you're putting out and not stuff you can find elsewhere. 👍

[batandball]

I can’t wait for a review of the made in Germany Tesla Model Y!

[vivalasvegas]

To be fair, Fremont factory was originally built in 1962, acquired by Tesla from Toyota, in 2010. Fremont paint shop will have difficulty matching the newer, state of the art paint shops, in GigaShanghai, GigaBerlin or GigaTexas. However, all 2021 models coming out of Fremont have been substantially improved, my 2 cents.

[KateKat]

Excellent video, relieved to know the paintwork on my MIC Model 3 is up to scratch, was almost scared to watch but you did a really nice in depth review. Sounds like the PPF I had done was definitely worth it.

[dippatel]

Paintwork, up to BMW standard! That is good to know. Very informative as always Richard.

[imamiddleagedman]

Our near side is the American offside so possibly thinner paint due to that being offside over there and less likely to pick up roadside debris flicking up.

[jonmiles]

Great video, thanks Richard and the team, at last someone explaining the truth about car paint, its paint! Nothing to do with thickness or hardness!
Tesla main paint issues with the Model 3 are caused by the omission of a paint quality control stage in production allowing a few cars to leave the factory that simply should not. They also need to address the paint adhesion problem (fault) on the sills and the lack of PPF on the rear wheel arches that should be fitted as standard as on so many other cars. Anyone experiencing factory "pealing/flacking" paint should not accept anything less than a warranty paint repair.

[fanturi]

I think the thicker part is always the one from the wheel side, so where you can get debris from cars on the reverse lane.

[tyranelewis]

Awesome!!! This was very helpful. I have constantly heard how thin Tesla paint is compared to other manufacturers. I was concerned until this video because I need to paint correct my Model S. Awesome job you do. This is 4th video I have watched from you and each have been super helpful to me and the ones I've shared the link with please keep up the great work. Thank you for your valuable time!!

[davidhull]

Spot on, My M3 was a late 2020 car that had the issues with excessive chipping and paint peeling off the car, , It was repainted in full, much to the surprise to a detailing company when I took it in after it was repainted, they got the paint thickness gauge straight out. I said it had been repainted they said yes it has, but its has been a bare metal respray ! the paint thickness was around 150 -170 consistently all over the repainted car although a few imperfections are in the repainted car ( mainly fish eyes !) it has now done 2000 repainted miles and dare I say it is relatively mark free. So I would draw the conclusion the cars might be painted to the correct thickness but the paint has not bonded to the white undercoat ( Deep met Blue) in my case, all my damage was in the colour coat not the under coat.

[jlemieu]

Thanks for the review. I think the quality goes down to VOC not allowed in California versus allow VOC in China.

[evsmiles]

Thanks Rich, my 2019 Model 3 has lovely paint. My neighbours MiC does look a little more consistent and as you noted Fremont paint can have small specs of dust on some cars which seems much improved on China cars.

Great video, consistent approach and nice conclusion 😎

[allenfazer]

Great video I was looking forward to this fantastic information and good to know Tesla is up there with the Germans on paint thickness, I received my model 3 SR+ MIC 3 weeks ago, apart from being delivered covered in swirls, looked like they washed it with a bottle of CIF and a scouring pad! I like detailing as a hobby, I am defo not a pro but it polished up very well. Thanks again for a really informative video. 👍

[philcotswold]

Very interesting video. Back in the early 80s I used to own a Alfa Romeo Sprint. Along with the Alfa Sud it was a renowned rust bucket. I had access to paint thickness measuring equipment back then I measured my car up against a VW Golf. To my surprise the Alfa had 10 to 20% more paint on it compared to the Golf. The issue was the Alfa rusted from the inside out possibly due to lack of ventilation within the bodywork. Paint thickness isn’t the be all and end all, it’s far more complex than that. Thanks for your very informative videos.

[DaveYates]

Really good in depth test with all possible comparisons covered! Thank you!

[peterphillipsnz]

To put things in context. If it is 135 microns rather than 95,
it is a little over 40% thicker!

[robkendall]

Absolutely loved that, brought loads of things in to play, it has been suggested that the issues on the cills are caused by bad adhesion of the basecoat, so when a stone hits an area it chips/flakes more than it should do hence more paint loss. As the Dec 2020 to current date appears to be suffering worse with this issue it would be great if this could be tested some way apart than with a hammer and chisel.

[jacobniell]

Very useful video content you're putting out and not stuff you can find elsewhere, I have one question.
What about how hard the different paints are compared to each other?
When I talk to professionals they all mention that the German brands have very hard paints compared...
Will you evaluate this in a later video?
Thanks👍🏻

[asaftzadok]

Excellent review, finally someone does it right !