Tesla Model 3: Paint Defect Rectification

Note: This procedure was designed to be performed on flat or near-flat metal body panels with original factory paintwork. Any deviation from these circumstances can alter cutting times, tool speeds, and the ideal amount of pressure to be applied to the body panel. If uncertain about a defect, follow up with a paint correction expert.

Caution:

If performing paint correction on body lines, make the following adjustments:

• Sand paint inclusions only by hand.
• Apply less pressure to the body panel when cutting/polishing.
• Reduce cutting time from 15 seconds to 5 seconds at a time.
• Reduce buffer speed by 40-50%.
• Avoid excessive heat build-up.
• Do not let the compounds dissipate.

Determine Defect Risk Level

• If the defect(s) are low risk, continue to the next step.
• If the defect(s) are high risk, escalate the repair to a body shop.

• Less than 1.5 mm diameter on flat or near-flat body panels

• Less than 1.0 mm diameter on or near character lines
• High or low spots
• Basic surface paint inclusions
• Holograms
• Swirls
• Solvent pop
• Overspray
• Light to medium depth scratches

Low risk basic surface paint inclusions

Low risk basic surface paint inclusions

• High Risk Defect Characteristics

• Larger than 2.0 mm diameter on flat or near-flat body panels
• Larger than 1.0 mm diameter on or near character lines
• Off color inclusions
• High or low spots larger than 2.0 mm

High risk off color paint inclusion

High risk defect on character line

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