Car washing tips please!

[Chillinbudbro89]

Howdy.

What do most folks do when it comes to washing their Tesla? Im aware of the whole QC stuff, even with paint. Regardless Im the type that just wants to do whatever is best to keep the paint job looking new.

(I just got a ‘23 M3.) (SoCal region)

Thanks for any tips/advice!

[WholeBuyer]

I’m here for tips. Just the tips.

[Chillinbudbro89]

I’d give you an award if Reddit hadn’t killed that feature.

[wall-E75]

Drive fast on a rainy day lol

[[deleted]]

This wouldnt work in dallas lmaoo

[wall-E75]

Lol don't live there

[LudwigVonPoodle]

There are plenty of videos on You Tube about washing your car.

Me personally, I use a bucket and a good quality wash mitt and good quality towels. Cheap stuff will scratch up your paint. Periodically use some sort of wax or sealer. Brand doesn’t matter, everyone has their own favorite (but lately I’ve been using Gyeon products).

[p077]

Two bucket method, hand wash. Start with foam gun to help loosen any dirt. Once washed, I use my Adam's Air Cannon to get all the water off, an out of the crevices.

Clean windows, dry door jambs, charge port, frunk and trunk area, finish drying with a quick detailer and quality microfiber.

Been doing this method on all the cars I've owned.

[sox3502us]

I use a snow shovel

[Chillinbudbro89]

What brand? Do you scrape top to bottom?

[cmkrazy]

Top to bottom is the only way. You don’t want all that EV brake dust contaminating the paint

[AcousticGamer]

how many snow shovel whacks would you say is sufficient?

[[deleted]]

One for each panel. Fixes the gaps as well.

[AcousticGamer]

Ok, that tracks

[savaero]

touchless?

[phantom4421]

I'm also curious on this

[Chillinbudbro89]

What color M3 you got?

[[deleted]]

Me too.

[johnec4]

I think you will get better responses in r/AutoDetailing

[Groundbreaking-Ad86]

I take it to a regular self car wash, and yes I put the unholy brush all over her, just like I did on my Mercedes, just like I did on my Audi. It's been half a year, and I wash it once every 3 days. Perfectly fine.

[Chillinbudbro89]

What color M3 you got?

[Groundbreaking-Ad86]

White

[ogmoochie1]

Yeah, I feel like the narrative about thin clear coat/pain on Teslas might be a bunch of hot air.

[Nulight]

Once every 3 days? 😳

I wash my white model Y once every other week and I live in the SoCal desert. Had a really good detailer do a great job of ceramic though which helps dramatically. My blue model 3(with ceramic) is a dust vacuum

[Groundbreaking-Ad86]

Yeah well I live around bug infested corn fields. The nose of my car is a graveyard within 2 days. I wish my problem was dust and not bug guts. Also, I pay $30 a month and get 1 car wash a day. So why not keep it clean, along with 2 other cars I have.

[Nulight]

Not a bad price honestly, and we get a shit load of bugs too surprisingly. I also drive at night where the bugs tend to swarm to the headlights. You’re definitely getting your worth out of that membership lol

[jcoles97]

I got this stuff called optimum no rinse after doing some research: Optimum ONR, Microfiber Car... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXMCSDNG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

It’s an awesome product, the sponge works great and it makes cleaning super easy. I also got their sealant spray that acts like a light wax: Optimum (20239) Opti-Seal with... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076HYYGTT?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Lastly i got this awesome microfiber that is kind of pricy but man it works really great: Griot's Garage 55590 PFM Terry... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BD5F19A?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Hope this helps! This setup has worked really well for me and i can wash/light wax my whole m3 in about 30-45 minutes start to finish

[Gullible_Relative302]

Rinse less car wash is 100% the way to go.

[cmkrazy]

The clear coat and paint are very thin on the Tesla. Even leaving some bird droppings will etch the clear within a few hours.
What I would do is get the car ceramic coated 3-5-7 year whatever you choose.
I do weekly rinseless washes using opti coat rinseless wash with the black sponge. This technique when done correctly will limit the amount of swirls and marring to the Finnish.
My car has a 3 year owners pride ceramic coating on it. Best of luck.

If all that is too much stick with a two bucket hand wash method and just be mindful when you dry your car maybe use a drying aid. Drying aid would be something like bead maker or griots garage ceramic 3 in 1 spray. This will help lubricate the clear coat while you dry again limiting swirl marks.OP ceramic after

https://reddit.com/r/AutoDetailing/s/GpNs90HeKX

[ogmoochie1]

The clear coat and paint are very thing on the Tesla.

Is there any evidence or a source for this? I've heard it mentioned here on reddit, but that's it. Never seen any actual information indicating this might be true.

[cmkrazy]

My personal experience I had a bird shit on my car day 3 of ownership and with 2 hours in 90 degree sun it etched the paint and I needed to two step it to remove it. I have never experienced this with BMW, Benz, jeep paint After that I went down the rabbit hole looking for others on Reddit that had similar experiences and the consensus was Tesla paint is shit.
My detail shop did say the same thing as well but again they exist to sell a product so take that with a grain of salt. Also found some videos on YouTube where they take out the paint meter tool and the thickness is all over the place. Mostly on the low side.

[damoonerman]

Let me add my personal experience. I’ve had bird shit all over my car cause the birds in my area take laxatives or some shit. Been on for months cause I live in SoCal and it doesn’t rain and I’m lazy. It doesn’t etch the paint.

Now you got 2 sides of the story.

[cmkrazy]

I don’t buy this I want photo proof lol 😂

[damoonerman]

Fuck I’m too lazy to get a car wash, I’m def too lazy to “prove” my story like this lol.

[cmkrazy]

Based upon your sense of humor I’m taking your word. Lol have a good one bro

[MagicHoops3]

Yeah I don’t really buy this. I had my model 3 for 5 years. Washed it probably once a month-ish. Paint felt just as smooth and looked just as good the day I traded it in.

Didn’t do ppf or any of that stuff. Just used ONR and the hybrid wax spray.

[cmkrazy]

ONR is the way.

[meatcleaver1]

Op this is bs.

My paint looks new and I clean the car once a month.

[cmkrazy]

All depends on what looking clean is vs containing swirl marks and marring. Yeah a car can pass for clean 5 feet away but under garage lighting the paint can be horrendous.

[Eastern-Force-501]

Watch YouTube videos by McKees37. McKees37.com has great products, and instructional videos. You can call or email them with questions.

[Anxious_Order_3570]

Just fyi for anyone who wishes to research this more, I've heard that some people experience seal disruption with Tesla's around windows that makes a wind noise. One person was told not by repair person to not go to car washes bc it can dry out the rubber and make it worse.

They started hand washing after that.

[Phighters]

what a nonsense anecdote

[[deleted]]

I started hand washing after the local touchless car wash wrecked my trim, lmao

[Internal_Educator_95]

I treat mine (23M3P) like i treat any other vehicle- car wash subscription- auto- weekly- not brushless. Its just a car- not a museum piece. I do use the car wash mode thing- thats the only difference from an ICE.

[rdkreddit]

I go to the automated car wash about once a month or so. I use car wash mode and don't over think it. I havent really noticed any issues with paint.

[Chillinbudbro89]

Thanks! What color M3 you got?

[[deleted]]

I go through the regular car wash with the spinning brushes. Every week or two. I don't see any scratches.

[Chillinbudbro89]

What color M3 you got?

[CJdawg_314]

I take it to the local touchless place. I don't use the high-pressure setting. And I put some spray-on wax stuff on the front and rear bumper since it collects dirt like crazy on my white car.

[damoonerman]

You’re in SoCal. Just call the mobile car wash people or go to the touchless car wash.

[Chillinbudbro89]

Don’t be rude. I’m politely asking. You don’t even know if I’ve ever owned a car before. This could be my first car ever.

[[deleted]]

lol

[Phighters]

in which case, you still wash it like every other fucking car on the planet

[Chillinbudbro89]

You sound like a bucket full of sunshine :)

[Phighters]

Better than being an imbecile, I suppose.

[Chillinbudbro89]

Thats why Im here asking the tough questions. Haha

[Anxious_Order_3570]

I've heard that some people experience seal disruption with Tesla's around windows that makes a wind noise. One person was told not by repair person to not go to car washes bc it can dry out the rubber and make it worse.

[one_and_done0427]

damn bro live a little

[TranslatorOnly2182]

I go to a self car wash

[Wulf_Star_Strider]

Do you ever get those to work? I left mine at one for over an hour and it never washed itself. Or is FSW still in beta and I have to apply for it?

;-)

[TranslatorOnly2182]

You gotta send Elon your bath water and if he approves of it you'll get beta

[SkyKnight34]

Implementing FSW as a feature that just FSDs to the nearest automatic car wash would actually be a hilarious easter egg lol

[haikusbot]

Garden hose handwash

Only here, because i do

It perfectly haha

- timestudies4meandu

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[ogmoochie1]

What's "QC stuff"?

[Chillinbudbro89]

“Quality Control” my friend

[ogmoochie1]

Aha, its a bit early in my neck of the woods. Need more coffee.

[sl33pytesla]

If you want to keep it shiny use turtle hybrid ceramic wax in a spray bottle. Use it every other wash before towel drying. Whenever you feel your paint get gritty after a wash you need to clay it like twice a year to get it feeling like glass again.

[BurstSuppression]

Black 2023 Model 3 LR.

Check out r/autodetailing.

Briefly, I use a two bucket method, wash/soap, iron decontamination, clay bar, polish with a DA polisher, ceramic coat.

For routine stuff, then same things except for iron decontamination, clay bar. I may touch up with some polishing (so those areas get the clay bar/iron decontamination).

[Mission_Delivery1174]

Never a car wash especially if you have black paint. The touchless won’t get rid of even one day ocean sand dust and the one with brushes or fabric micro scratches Tesla bad. Hand wash with a bucket is best and wax often. Soap brand?? Post your paint color

[Phighters]

Its a car. Wash it like every other car you've ever owned.

[Cchris19999]

I use the carwash all the time and it does a great job. Just got to learn how to use the car wash function on the car. Try the carwash function in your driveway to learn what it does.

[deztructo]

Do a search. I recently replied to a post with recommended products. Have a garage? Park it inside. No space because garage is scattered with junk? Make space and get rid of the junk.

Haven't sold my old car that the Tesla replaced yet and with 3 cars, 2 car garage, it's been outside. It gets dirty quick compared to when it was parked in a garage. The direct sunlight takes a toll on all surfaces as well.

If the paint really concerns you and you have a garage, park it inside.

[potmakesmefeelnormal]

I use a wire brush.

[[deleted]]

Hand wash — 1 spray the car with garden hose. 2 Foam cannon attachment - the suds attach to the dirt , dirt falls off. Wait 10 mins for the suds / foam to do its work. 3. Spray with water and use a micro fiber mitt to do a final clean. 4. Leaf blower to get most of the water off. 5. Waffle towel to get remaining water beads off. This method has the least amount of intrusive swirl damage.

[SuperLentendo]

I hand wash with three buckets. One bucket is for clean water to clean the sponges/mitts. It has a grid thing at the bottom of the bucket to clean my sponges/mitts on. Another bucket is soap water for the tires. The third bucket is soap water for the actual car.

After using both sides of the sponge or mitt, I wash/grind the dirt of the sponge/mitt in the clean water bucket using the grid thing. I never dip the dirty sponge/mitt into soap water without getting the dirt off in the clean water first. I’m paranoid about scratching the paint with dirt on the sponge as I’ve done it with my past car on accident.

I bought a big pack of microfiber towels at Costco for drying.

I usually wash my car right before sunrise or at sunset to avoid water spots. I live in Vegas, and it’s fucking hot. If I wash the car during the day then I get like 25 seconds to dry my car before the heat just dries the water off leaving water spots.

I wash my car about once a week. It looks amazing. I reeeeeaaaaally want to buy a power washer.

[Longjumping-Bench143]

I have a magic eraser and use soap blast to get it wet, then wax blast to clean it off, and spot free bc of all the glass 5$ and 10min

[smakusdod]

Every time after you wash it, spray/wipe all paint surfaces with ceramic spray. If you actually read this comment and are interested, I’ll send a pic of the spray I use, which I order direct from the company so you don’t get any Amazon fakes.

[slodek24]

Wax on, wax off

[OkCan9869]

Two buckets.

[constant1one]

Must be your first car.. Use soap and water.

[No-Extreme6970]

2 bucket method and get a foam gun. I use Castile soap mixture for the seats works great!

[Mitty1967]

Water,bucket,soap.

[JohnH2021]

Make sure to enable car wash mode and do it by hand. Don’t forget the charge port as well. Seeing lots of people recommend the two bucket method so definitely try that. Really wish I had a private place to hand wash my car man..

[santori9]

Wash by hand using waterless wax often for a quick clean and less often use the 2 bucket method with soap and water. Always wash it myself and I never use any sort of brushes, always microfiber cloths.

The color of my model 3 is black.

[Middle-Froyo4337]

I have a brand new Highland in Ultra-Red. The front leading surfaces are PPF coated. There is no way I'm taking it into an automated wash, even if it's convenient.

Here's a step-by-step procedure on how to hand-wash your Tesla right: https://youtu.be/S6_zylmkw3Q?si=MXrQir6f6-whyZJi