Tesla Model Cars’ ‘Substandard Paintwork’ Claims Are ‘Exaggerated,’ Ex-McLaren Specialist Says

A specialist who formerly worked for McLaren has said that some paint issues people post on the internet about Tesla Model 3 cars are exaggerated and explained why he thinks it’s that way.

Tesla is the name that comes to mind when people hear the words “electric” and “car” together. Some people on the internet, however, have come to associate the name Tesla with the words “paint problems.”

Paint problems?

A quick search on the internet will reveal that some people complain about paint problems on their Tesla Model 3s. Some of them complain that their Model 3 had just passed the 2000km mark when its paint started to wear, particularly “on skirts, body, right door to 25 cm” and more.

The Model 3 is Tesla’s first attempt at reaching the masses, but with oft-reported paint problems, some buyers might be swayed not to buy it. The paint problems, along with other issues not related to paint, even led Consumer Reports to stop recommending the Model 3 to buyers.

As seen on other brands too

An expert in detailing, however, explains that most of the paint problems people have been complaining about on their Model 3s aren’t limited to the Tesla car.

In a video created with and posted on YouTube by Like Tesla, Tiaan Krige, a former detailing specialist for McLaren, said paint problems like “dust nibs, orange peel, all the paint defects that people seem to post about on Model 3s can be seen on McLarens too.”

Krige, owner of AP3 Paint Protection Services in Atlanta, said that these paint problems, which are present in other car brands are “just the growing pains of a young company that started mass-producing cars in 2012.” He added that the paint on 90% of Tesla Model 3s are “fantastic.”

Paint thickness

The video also debunked myths saying Tesla’s paint is soft because of California’s laws. The fact is that Tesla’s cars -- the Model 3, S and X -- have thicker paint compared to other brands.

The aforementioned Tesla cars’ paint averaged around 115 micrometers. Other cars like the Porsche Panamera GTS and Land Rover Discovery Sport have paint averaging 95 micrometers in thickness. The Mercedes 350 Sport’s paint is about 107 micrometers thick. Tesla’s offerings, then, have thicker paint compared to these, and are right there with other premium brands when it comes to paint thickness.