Garden hose is no match for teslas paint.

So you mean the opposite of your title?

Don't wash your car :)

This is not normal. Bring it into for service, paint on a new car shouldn't peal like that.

Was there a pressure washer attached to this garden hose? That's pretty wild. If it wasn't like a high-pressure nozzle close to the surface...that might be considered a defect? But it's the kind of thing you'll probably have a very tough time proving wasn't your fault. How long have you had it?

Warranty claim.

Haha yes actually, as soon as I posted it I realized my mistake

It’s not new, warranty ran out about 2 months ago, but still it’s not old enough in my opinion for this to happen

No just a regular sprayer on a regular hose. I was just wetting the car before putting soap on it. It’s 4 years old, so I’m not that bummed, but still my 15 year old Honda never lost any paint

Its always white paint.

you should share the details of that hose, good advertisement for a pressure washer replacement 😀

I feel like this might be the only option

Warranty expired 2 months ago!

Ace hardware rubber hose, black, 25 feet long.

Is that true? My black Y is older and never lost paint.

That isn’t right paint shouldn’t chip from a regular garden hose, I wonder if there was existing damage from the factory and the hose just peeled it off. Assuming you have factory glass maybe try to file a warranty claim

Shit that’s a good thought. The spoiler fell off about 6 months into ownership, I’d bet you’re onto something

White paint in general is always at risk

I was thinking of buying a white m3 for paint longevity. Is that not the move?

I will say, out of everything about my new model 3, the paint is the biggest disappointment. One winter in nj and my car looks like it was salt and pepper with little white marks everywhere. I've owed numerous cars in this exact climate and barely and chips or marks. One winter with a tesla and I feel I need a new paint job. It's so sad. In a few years I can't imagine what the car will look like. Hell my 13 year old Jetta barely had an scratches or little white marks all over it. My girls 12 year old Ford focus paint looks in better condition.

That smells of AI.

You didn’t wash it the whole warranty period?

https://preview.redd.it/hmp4inn9qwog1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8644aef699a4c1ba5e5ee3292e3623073a5006de

I’d personally avoid handwashing with the hose and opt into something like a soft sponge

Even the hand looks wrong.

How did you not wash your car the whole time it was under warranty then two months after you’re like.. hey it’s dirty let’s give it a spray? If the paint isn’t bonded to the primer it’s that way from the factory. Your paint didn’t hover there for 4 years. I call total bullshit here!

Yeah that’s how I feel too, I’ve got a black Y as well, and no paint issues, it’s older too. Sucks!

Hobbit hand?

😂 Good one

Mine did the same thing in the same place.

This doesn’t prove anything. Show us a video of Will Smith eating spaghetti in front of your car

Paint defects has a longer warranty then bumper to bumper

Excellent touch. Well done

Ohh shit… I’m on it! Thanks

Well tell us your reasoning

Unfortunately the only fix is a repaint. It definitely looks like a big defect in the paint, washing with a garden hose shouldn’t damage it this way

Lmao agreed

A bunch of car manufacturers had issues with white paint in the last 15 years and have extended their warranty for paint peel like this. Reach out to Tesla about fixing it.

Get a white paint pen buddy

my white paint is doing amazing, its never seen a car wash and i mainly hand wash with occasional touchless. First thing i did when i got it was ceramic coat the whole thing by hand. I redo the coat like every 2 years along with using maintenance booster products in between. As long as you put the effort into maintaining it, will look pristine.

If my car is 4 year old and this happens I’ll be crying in bed all night. Even my 05 Lexus that is 21 years old looks pristine lol https://preview.redd.it/5dehwpd6xwog1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e33ff7cb240da4393528a2d9136ce852c5e8ea0c

> If the paint isn’t bonded to the primer it’s that way from the factory. Your paint didn’t hover there for 4 years. I can total bullshit here! A weak bond can look fine for years before thermal cycling and moisture finally cause it to delaminate. There are tons of paint peeling cases after 4-5 years, both Honda and GM had class action lawsuits over paint delamination in cars that were a few years old

> You didn’t wash it the whole warranty period? A weak bond can look fine for years before thermal cycling and moisture finally cause it to delaminate

Tesla had a bad batch of paint in earlier production, lots of threads on TMC with the same problem. If your basic warranty is just two months expired Tesla may agree to a goodwill repair considering it's a fairly common problem, but it's highly contingent on the individual service center and the manager you talk to. If they decline it you can try to escalate it

Yea OP this is it. 6yr warranty (can't remember mileage) but it is a common problem very similar to what you see on your car

Not normal, I've had a blue MY, now White M3, and Red MX. All washed using pressure washer.

Are you sure it’s never been painted? I’ve seen paint failures but never like this on teslas. I used to paint cars, that’s why I ask. You shouldn’t be able to blow your paint off with a garden hose. My bet, it was repaired and not prepped correctly.

I feel lucky, been through 200 car washes, paint isn’t an issue.

To say I have heard of people having similar issues to you op

I’m sorry I still don’t believe it.

> I’m sorry I still don’t believe it. Look up the numerous threads of this exact type of delamination happening on TMC. This isn't specific to Tesla either, Honda and GM both have had class action lawsuits over paint peeling in 4-5 year old cars.

Even pressure washers shouldnt do this

Thanks I appreciate that!

Yeah this is what I would expect! Good looking car!

read your warranty , its not covered, unless you can prove this is a defect in the factory...... and y good luck.. how do i know this???? I am part of a c;lass action suit in Quebec against Tesla due to this. Paint pealing like you have is NOT normal, but sad to say, very common, Tesla new about the issue , did not remedy the issue and continued to sell cars with this issue. the suit is to have Tesla compensate owners of damage. We also see this all through out the North east USA, Vermont, New Hampshire New York and more... The issue is the paint peals like the skin of a banana, welcome top the club. * **Rust Coverage:** The [Body Rust Limited Warranty](https://www.tesla.com/en_ca/support/vehicle-warranty) covers rust perforation (a hole in a panel) resulting from defects in materials or workmanship, typically for 12 years. * **What is Not Covered:** Damage caused by road salt, environmental conditions, or lack of maintenance is not covered under the [New Vehicle Limited Warranty](https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/New_Vehicle_Limited_Warranty_North_America_en_US.pdf). they will claim you improper cleaning and chemicals.. my inspection for all my missing paint took less that 5 min.. and they said no sorry we don't cover that damage hahahahahah I reepainted 2 Feeders, and my running boards as they pealed as well, as well as back quarter panels all pealing around the wheel wells... tesla wanted 1500 each fender painted and 3000 for the backs of the quarter, to ld them blow me, had it done all for 1100 at a reputable body shop.. some people have convinced tesla to cover , good luck on that Page 9 of new tesla vehicle limited, YES LIMITED warranty

Did you use drive-thru car washes a lot?

I would be angry if this happened. Try Tesla and see if they can either cover it, or give you a deal on a new part. Otherwise a collision center/paint shop could help you out.

I appreciate the advice! I’ll send them a message in the morning and really lay on the charm.

Not often, but occasionally. I usually hand wash.

I agree, this seems to be a clear manufacturing issue, but convincing Tesla of that seems to be another problem

Was the glass replaced before? It’s possible that it was damaged during old glass removal and they didn’t properly fix/protect the damaged area of the paint, then over time water/debris got under it and made the paint come up more.

I bought it new, so unless they replaced it at the factory or service center. But it’s possible

FWIW mine is pristine after 5 years

Oh no what did tesla paint do to your hose?

Ha yeah I messed that one up.

Thinnest paint in the industry? I’m always scared to look at my MSM paint.

That typo cracked me up. I'm imagining noisy paint "A peal is a loud, sustained sound or series of sounds, commonly referring to the ringing of bells, thunder, or laughter"

paint peels a set of bells peals

Omg I use a pressure washer (not the industrial one)

How can your hose pressure be that high?

I’m almost impressed they were able to make it this thin. I’m actually going to measure it… hold on….

.0011”

I’m telling you, the paint literally fell off, like it had already delaminated and the hose just washed it away.

I have 2014 model s 85 that we bought used 2 years ago with 95,000 miles on it. Bright red. Must have been garaged. Exterior was perfect. In 2 years I have scraped the side bumper, the front bumper got scraped somehow and then my son in law got sideswiped and ruined one car door and scraped the other door. Our paint has never peeled off. We live in San Diego and our weather is mild so maybe that has something to do with it. The inside is another thing. The chihuahuas and the grandkids are beating the crap out of the inside!!!! lol

I didn’t see your comment earlier. What did you do to fix it?

😅

Do you mean teslas paint is no match for a garden hose?

My 22 model y is white and my paint is also peeling on the side view mirrors and on the front bumper. I was charging it to the commute game. I didn't even think it could've been covered under warranty. 🤦‍♀️

THANK YOU. I was going nuts over here reading these posts.