A lady hit my Tesla Model Y with her truck. It was parked and left some scratches on the car. Luckily though, she left a note and reimbursed me for a Tesla paint repair kit.
I researched the best ways to fix the scratches and paint. There are plenty of options, but for the best color match, I decided to go with Tesla’s repair kit.
Tesla Paint Repair Kit Video
Here’s my quick video on how to use the paint repair kit…
To find the cost of the paint repair kit, you can visit Tesla’s website. For me, it cost close to $65 but came with free shipping. There’s also plenty of paint left over for future scratches.
If you’re logged into your account, it should give you a message if you pick the wrong paint color. That’s based on the Tesla you’ve bought from the company. You can also find what color by checking the inside of your opened front driver door.
Tesla Paint Repair Kit Review
Overall, I’m happy with the paint repair kit. It was easy to use and didn’t take long. It’s not a perfect fix, but it gets the job done. I now have to look up close to notice the scratches. Although, if the light hits it right, they’re a little more visible.
I could have gone through the steps a few more times. That could have improved the texture and finish. However, my main goal was to get some paint down to protect it. I want to avoid extra wear and tear from the elements.
I’ve put my Tesla through some extreme cold and heat. You can check out my YouTube videos to see how it’s worked out.
How to Use a Tesla Paint Repair Kit
How can you fix Tesla paint chips and scratches? With the Tesla kit, there are simple steps…
- Wash and Dry the Scratches
- Shake Paint
- Apply Paint to Scratches
- Smooth with Paint Squeegee
- Blend with Blending Solution
That’s it! It doesn’t take long but there are a few more notes to improve the process. If you have an indented single scratch, apply the paint on the edge. You can then use the squeegee to level it into the scratch.
With my review video, the scratch was more spread out. So, I just directly applied the paint over the area and then spread it out. I also rubbed the blending solution over the entire thing. But Tesla recommends blending around the scratches, not directly over them. This can remove the paint you want to keep in place.
You also get two brushes with the Tesla paint repair kit. But I just used the small one. On top of that, you can also use a smaller applicator like a needle. That’s for even better placement of the paint. It can help with evening it out.
Why I Skipped Tesla PPF
The cost of a paint protection film (PPF) can vary. I’ve seen ranges from $500 to a few thousand dollars. However, I couldn’t justify the cost and time to get it up front.
Tesla PPF doesn’t protect from larger chips and scratches. On top of that, if you have PPF, it can be harder to fix the paint. The film can make it harder to fix scratches.
Given the time value of money, it’d probably be more effective for me to repaint the entire car down the road. That cost alone wouldn’t be too far from the cost of paying for PPF.
Tesla Paint Repair Kit and Saving Money
If you use other paint repair, please let me know how it works! Drop a comment on my YouTube video above. The Tesla paint repair kit is a little expensive, but there’s plenty left over for future scratches.
I bought my Model Y new last year and have driven close to 29,000 miles. I’ve had a few chips and scratches but luckily, I haven’t had any big issues. Other than the paint repair kit, the total maintenance cost has come in close to $0 (less than $5 for window wiper fluid). Hopefully the only big upcoming expense will be replacing the tires. Due to the big batteries, EVs are heavier. As a result, the tires can wear down faster than gas cars.
Overall, my Tesla Model Y has worked well for my adventures. And the costs keep coming down for new buyers. Here’s the complete History of Tesla Model Y Price Changes. With each price drop, it becomes easier to recommend to friends and family.