Tesla Model S | Opti-Coat

[Rcrew]

This Tesla came to us with just over 8000 miles and very extensive paint defects. The owner had heard about the benefits of Opti-Coat on the Tesla forums and sought out an installer in his area. When he called, I set up a time to inspect the car and found extensive scratches and swirl defects in the paint. After outlining the benefits of paint correction prior to application of a coating product, the owner was ready for me to dial this beauty in and then lock it down with Opti-Coat.

The decontamination process required a foam soak, 2-bucket wash, clay, iron neutralization and tar removal.

The correction process required some heavy artillery to level the clear coat down to a mirror like shine. Multiple levels of paint correction were used over the course of a few days. Paint thickness readings were healthy and right around 200, dropping closer to 100 the lower you went on the car.

The car received another decontamination foam soak, hand wash, and IPA wipedown prior to Optimum Pro Coatings being applied to painted surfaces, plastics and glass.
The pictures really tell the story, so let’s get to them!

Upon arrival, general grime along with a nice bird bomb on the hood. Love the license plate though!
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3806/11053262033_019a4b8fa3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11053262033/)
IMG_2857.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11053262033/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

Wheels and arches looking quite nasty
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3810/11053269553_3aacb1774a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11053269553/)
IMG_2862.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11053269553/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

Not anymore!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/11053295013_1a6fb3f00b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11053295013/)
IMG_2872.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11053295013/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

Can’t forget the door jambs and underneath the “frunk”
Before
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/11053229034_efee7bcdaa_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11053229034/)
IMG_2866.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11053229034/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr


Dirt being transferred to the towel
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3708/11053120565_4ea6f43910_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11053120565/)
IMG_2867.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11053120565/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr


After
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3734/11053122955_f2972a8d54_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11053122955/)
IMG_2868.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11053122955/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr


Here you can see the sheen of the tar removal product working on the paint.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/11053162915_9503d26954_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11053162915/)
IMG_2883.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11053162915/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr


Now that it is squeaky clean, we can begin the paint correction process. To really grasp the prevalence of the defects I was up against, imagine about 25% more defects than you see in these pictures. That is what I was seeing, but the camera didn’t capture things accurately.

Close up on the hood
before
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/11079691276_9ec47fcc0b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079691276/)
IMG_2900.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079691276/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

after
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/11079713124_93a531788e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079713124/)
IMG_2903.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079713124/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

Long shot of the driver side of the hood edge
before
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/11079607885_7d173296a5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079607885/)
IMG_2911.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079607885/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

After (Bit of a scratch remnant remained)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/11079611915_7ef0b6f419_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079611915/)
IMG_2913.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079611915/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

Driver front quarter, particularly deep cluster of scratches. Wetsanding was required to remedy this problem.

Before
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/11079707286_505a78fafc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079707286/)
IMG_2915.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079707286/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

After (not yet refined, just a tiny fraction of one of the scratches remained. No need to go after it and risk a strike through)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7347/11079711866_491245f9d9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079711866/)
IMG_2918.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079711866/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

50/50: Big difference made on the front plastic piece
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/11079733854_c3784f3a0e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079733854/)
IMG_2921.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079733854/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr


Bit of work done on the passenger door
Before
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5483/11079631145_760a022a9b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079631145/)
IMG_2927.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079631145/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

After
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/11079821153_cfda1ac131_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079821153/)
IMG_2928.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079821153/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

Door Pull
Before
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/11079637195_2d5d146b0a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079637195/)
IMG_2929.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079637195/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

After
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5523/11079640915_ae7f6d996f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079640915/)
IMG_2930.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079640915/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr


Passenger rear door 50/50
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/11079830503_d7037b69c0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079830503/)
IMG_2932.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079830503/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

Lower section corrected
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/11079756064_de4c30e23c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079756064/)
IMG_2933.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079756064/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr


Couldn’t resist- underside of side mirror with some grime remaining
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3805/11079835913_35fda48068_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079835913/)
IMG_2936.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079835913/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

After some TLC
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/11079652855_b91561e2ff_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079652855/)
IMG_2937.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079652855/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr


This is a “no-charge factory freebie” courtesy of Tesla
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/11079655095_2ba6ae6c36_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079655095/)
IMG_2938.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079655095/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

After correction
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/11079766814_8a8c5370bc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079766814/)
IMG_2939.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079766814/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

Plastic on the roof line
Before
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3815/11079848153_31dc781ae9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079848153/)
IMG_2940.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079848153/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

After
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7303/11079666585_c2109f1f10_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079666585/)
IMG_2941.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079666585/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr


Taillights needed attention too
Before
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/11079762586_889c73d93e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079762586/)
IMG_2942.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079762586/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

After
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3760/11079974134_f3ba6e6ba6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079974134/)
IMG_2943.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079974134/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr


The best part of the day! Time to coat!
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2855/11079960446_fb1bceac20_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079960446/)
IMG_2948.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079960446/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr


Starting to get “that Opti-Coat look”
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/11079977334_65067722e4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079977334/)
IMG_2951.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079977334/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

And after curing overnight, we pulled it out into the dingy, overcast morning. No matter, the car was still amazingly glossy! Thank you for taking the time to review my work. Questions and comments are welcome.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3734/11079984304_54464264fe_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079984304/)
IMG_2980.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079984304/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/11079982514_62582641cd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079982514/)
IMG_2978.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079982514/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/11079965216_5a70430432_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079965216/)
IMG_2963.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079965216/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2824/11079963686_b2eb10c07e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079963686/)
IMG_2960.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstcityautospa/11079963686/) by First City Auto Spa (http://www.flickr.com/people/firstcityautospa/), on Flickr

[CowboyTruckn]

I'm just now really starting to research coatings. I had a question. Did you clay or decam first? It's there a wrong order between those two processes?

[Jomax]

I'm just now really starting to research coatings. I had a question. Did you clay or decam first? It's there a wrong order between those two processes?

I personally would decam first. Then clay to remove all remaining contamination

Sent from my SM-N900V using AG Online

[Pureshine]

Great work :)

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Looks great!


I personally would decam first. Then clay to remove all remaining contamination.

:iagree:

I always wash, decon, and clay in that order.

[DetailedTaco]

Great job! Turned out awesome. Great cars as well.

[Rcrew]

I'm just now really starting to research coatings. I had a question. Did you clay or decam first? It's there a wrong order between those two processes?

As others have said, wash-decon-clay will be fine in most instances. Generally you want the surface as clean as you can get prior to claying. That way the clay doesn't have to work as hard and there is less chance of dirt being pushed about.


Great work :)
Thanks!


Looks great!
Thanks!


:iagree:

I always wash, decon, and clay in that order.
Thanks!


Great job! Turned out awesome. Great cars as well.

Appreciate it! These cars are beautiful, it really started to grow on me. Owner said the driving dynamics are better than his previous late model Audi A6

[kevincwelch]

Looks fantastic.

For all you guys and gals working on Tesla Model S cars and have trouble negotiating the wipers (they are purposely tucked below the hood to improve aerodynamics), there is a firmware update (version 5.8 ) that has a "wiper service mode." This will turn the wipers on and stop them midway along the windshield. When they stop, you can lift them off the glass and easily clean the glass as well as the cowl - - but watch out for the hood as it springs up if you haven't restored the wipers back to the resting position.

[AutowerxDetailing]

Looks fantastic.

For all you guys and gals working on Tesla Model S cars and have trouble negotiating the wipers (they are purposely tucked below the hood to improve aerodynamics), there is a firmware update (version 5.8 ) that has a "wiper service mode." This will turn the wipers on and stop them midway along the windshield. When they stop, you can lift them off the glass and easily clean the glass as well as the cowl - - but watch out for the hood as it springs up if you haven't restored the wipers back to the resting position.

This is great news! I always thought it was funky how you can't really lift the wipers to clean underneath due to there being zero clearance if the hood is closed.

To the OP: I've never seen a Model S with such horrible refinishing work from the factory. The paint on the black roof trim is usually pretty thin too... scary. Fantastic work!! :props:

[kevincwelch]

This is great news! I always thought it was funky how you can't really lift the wipers to clean underneath due to there being zero clearance if the hood is closed.

If you touch the Tesla T logo at the top row of icons (on the 17 inch console) a window will pop up indicating the firmware version.

[Rcrew]

Great info, thanks for sharing!


If you touch the Tesla T logo at the top row of icons (on the 17 inch console) a window will pop up indicating the firmware version.



Looks fantastic.

For all you guys and gals working on Tesla Model S cars and have trouble negotiating the wipers (they are purposely tucked below the hood to improve aerodynamics), there is a firmware update (version 5.8 ) that has a "wiper service mode." This will turn the wipers on and stop them midway along the windshield. When they stop, you can lift them off the glass and easily clean the glass as well as the cowl - - but watch out for the hood as it springs up if you haven't restored the wipers back to the resting position.

[Rcrew]

This is great news! I always thought it was funky how you can't really lift the wipers to clean underneath due to there being zero clearance if the hood is closed.

To the OP: I've never seen a Model S with such horrible refinishing work from the factory. The paint on the black roof trim is usually pretty thin too... scary. Fantastic work!! :props:

Hey thanks!

[LatinFG2]

Looks awesome! Great work!

[CowboyTruckn]

Looks fantastic.

For all you guys and gals working on Tesla Model S cars and have trouble negotiating the wipers (they are purposely tucked below the hood to improve aerodynamics), there is a firmware update (version 5.8 ) that has a "wiper service mode." This will turn the wipers on and stop them midway along the windshield. When they stop, you can lift them off the glass and easily clean the glass as well as the cowl - - but watch out for the hood as it springs up if you haven't restored the wipers back to the resting position.


Cracks me up. I don't think Oklahoma has those around here. We really don't embrace the electric car. Gas is so cheap around here compared to most places. Besides they don't make trucks and SUVS that are electric or we might sell some.

[Rcrew]

Looks awesome! Great work!

Thanks!