Do you need paint protection film for your Tesla? With my background in finance, I decided to skip PPF for my Model Y. And after driving 36,000 miles, was this a mistake? Here was my initial reasoning…
Feel free to watch my YouTube video on Tesla PPF for my Model Y. If you have any comments or questions, you can reach out directly. Or comment on any of my videos as well. I should see a notification come through.
Tesla PPF Cost for a Full Wrap vs. Paint Repair Kit
The cost for a full PPF wrap can come in anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000. And some custom wraps can even come in close to $10,000… if you do it yourself, you can save some money. However, it’s only a thin layer of protection. It’s not going to protect your Tesla from bigger dings and scratches. And there’s another hidden downside. But more on that in a moment.
With only limited paint protection and the big upfront cost, it was hard to justify. And to add to that line of logic, a Tesla paint touch up kit is much less expensive. As of writing this article, you can order a paint repair kit from Tesla for $75.
I shared a quick video guide on touching up scratches. That was after a lady side swiped my Model Y with her truck. It was parked and I wasn’t around… but luckily, she left a note and offered to pay to fix it. Good old friendly Midwest living 🙂
How Has Skipping Tesla PPF Worked Out So Far?
After 36,000 miles, I’ve gotten some other small dings and scratches. But you have to look close to see them. Either way, it’s probably high time to do some more touchups.
I don’t mind the appearance. However, I’m slightly more worried about increased wear and tear from the elements. I’ve put my Model Y through some extreme weather. When living in it, I also drove on lots of gravel roads to find car camping spots.
Having PPF would have likely protected against most of these scratches. However, the upfront cost still makes it not worth it… even more so if you factor in the time value of money. Inflation is a hidden tax that can either work for or against you.
If anything, smaller PPF strips on commonly hit areas might be a better move. Especially if you’re on gravel roads often or behind big trucks on the highway. Or maybe if on sanded and salted roads in the winter.
For example, you can get a front bumper or bottom back side strips. You can even get ones just for the handles. Here are the Top Product Results (Amazon affiliate link). However, there aren’t many reviews. Most people are likely skipping PPF for their Tesla. Similar to me, they’ve found that PPF isn’t worth it.
Hidden Costs of PPF for Cars
Having PPF can also cause issues when touching up the paint. Overall, it’s not worth the extra hassle and not financially worth it. It won’t likely change the cost or timeline for getting a new paint job down the road. It might even add to the cost. They’ll have to remove the PPF before fixing and painting it.
On top of that, PPF doesn’t usually add to resale value. And if you do a unique color with the protection film, it could even lower the trade in value. Keep that in mind. When looking to buy a used Tesla, many people don’t want to stand out even more when driving around.
The big caveat here is if you really want a custom color wrap. Feel free to pay thousands for a certain style. However, for most people, I’d recommend not throwing your money into PPF. Whether you’ve bought a Tesla Model Y, Model 3 and other vehicles, this logic applies.
Top Tesla Accessories and Guides
Congrats on picking up a Tesla or proactively planning ahead. If you haven’t ordered one already, the Tesla Referral Program comes with discounts. On top of that, here are more accessories and guides to consider…
If you’re looking for a cheap way to travel, check out the top Tesla Camping Accessories. Whether it’s skipping a hotel on a long road trip, or destination camping, it’s a great way to explore on a budget. Here are more resources to look into as well…
I hope you now have more insight into owning a Tesla and the cost of PPF. For most people and cars, paint protection film is not worth it. And for fun, I’ll leave you with one more article and video. Here are 28 Tesla Easter Eggs and Hidden Features. Enjoy 🙂