Pearl White Metallic
Discussion
Someone or something has damaged the rear bumper on my Model 3. The damage isn't too bad, just some scratches but the bumper will need repainting.
I've had a few quotes but everyone is telling me it will be difficult to guarantee a perfect colour match, saying Pearl White Metallic paint is the most difficult paint to match. I know it's difficult to do but surely it's not impossible.
My question is, has anyone else with a white Tesla had their car painted (bumpers in particular) and if what were the results. Did you get a perfect colour match or was there a noticeable difference in the shade between the bumper and the rest of the car?
My car is in immaculate condition and the paintwork is just about the best I've had on any car so I want everything to be perfect.
I should add that I'm not in the UK so I'm not looking for body shop recommendations.
I've had a few quotes but everyone is telling me it will be difficult to guarantee a perfect colour match, saying Pearl White Metallic paint is the most difficult paint to match. I know it's difficult to do but surely it's not impossible.
My question is, has anyone else with a white Tesla had their car painted (bumpers in particular) and if what were the results. Did you get a perfect colour match or was there a noticeable difference in the shade between the bumper and the rest of the car?
My car is in immaculate condition and the paintwork is just about the best I've had on any car so I want everything to be perfect.
I should add that I'm not in the UK so I'm not looking for body shop recommendations.
I had a M3 which Tesla replaced the bunper and the paint didn’t match in certain light so they’re correct. I believe it’s something to do with painting plastic rather than metal but how they do it at the factory I’ve no idea.
I’m a critic of Tesla on many things but on this one I think it’s not a specific problem to them, many car makes have the same challenge with some colours in certain light conditions
I’m a critic of Tesla on many things but on this one I think it’s not a specific problem to them, many car makes have the same challenge with some colours in certain light conditions
I'm sure you're right about this not being a specific problem with Tesla cars. I just think with modern equipment, technology and paint, it shouldn't be difficult to get an exact match. As you said, they can do this at the factory (the paintwork on my car is about as good a finish as I've ever seen on a car).
Interestingly, where I am, Tesla have just opened their own collision repair centre and even they weren't 100% confident in guaranteeing a perfect match.
I need to get it done because it's so unsightly so I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and hope for the best. Which do I go for though? Tesla's own repair centre or one of Tesla's approved body shops?
I'm still interested to hear about the experiences of others before I commit.
Interestingly, where I am, Tesla have just opened their own collision repair centre and even they weren't 100% confident in guaranteeing a perfect match.
I need to get it done because it's so unsightly so I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and hope for the best. Which do I go for though? Tesla's own repair centre or one of Tesla's approved body shops?
I'm still interested to hear about the experiences of others before I commit.
Finally, after several months of waiting, the car was booked into my local Tesla bodyshop. And...I must say I'm really happy with the results. It was only a few scratches (albeit quite deep scratches) on the rear quarter of the bumper but I know they removed the bumper from the car, repaired the damage and painted the whole bumper. No blending into the rear wings or boot lid which I insisted they didn't do.
Everyone was telling me how difficult Pearl White Metallic paint is to match (colour and finish), including all the approved Tesla repair centres but to my eyes it looks perfect.
I accept the quality of the work will in part be down to the skills of the individual.
Everyone was telling me how difficult Pearl White Metallic paint is to match (colour and finish), including all the approved Tesla repair centres but to my eyes it looks perfect.
I accept the quality of the work will in part be down to the skills of the individual.
Hi there,
I'm in a similar situation. I got some quotes and was told the same thing about matching the paint. I managed to buff out most of the light scratches and bought a decent repair kit. While it's not perfect, it did help conceal the deeper scratches.
One thing I noticed is that the metallic finish only seems to be on the outer body, not on the door reveals and other inner areas. Glad it worked out for you!
I'm in a similar situation. I got some quotes and was told the same thing about matching the paint. I managed to buff out most of the light scratches and bought a decent repair kit. While it's not perfect, it did help conceal the deeper scratches.
One thing I noticed is that the metallic finish only seems to be on the outer body, not on the door reveals and other inner areas. Glad it worked out for you!
ukdood said:
Hi there,
I'm in a similar situation. I got some quotes and was told the same thing about matching the paint. I managed to buff out most of the light scratches and bought a decent repair kit. While it's not perfect, it did help conceal the deeper scratches.
One thing I noticed is that the metallic finish only seems to be on the outer body, not on the door reveals and other inner areas. Glad it worked out for you!
I've never looked closely at the inner areas of paint. I'm surprised I haven't noticed because I apply wax to all those areas. I'm in a similar situation. I got some quotes and was told the same thing about matching the paint. I managed to buff out most of the light scratches and bought a decent repair kit. While it's not perfect, it did help conceal the deeper scratches.
One thing I noticed is that the metallic finish only seems to be on the outer body, not on the door reveals and other inner areas. Glad it worked out for you!
If you have a Tesla bodyshop in your area, I'd encourage you to get a quote from them. Of course, there's no guarantee they'll be any good but it's at least worth having a conversation with them.
To take the bumper off, repair the scratches (biggest scratch was approx 10" long x 1" wide - and there were several other scratches in the same area), prep, paint and put the bumper back on, I paid close to £900.00. I know that's expensive but I think it was worth it. I should add that I'm not in the UK.
CharlieAlphaMike said:
Finally, after several months of waiting, the car was booked into my local Tesla bodyshop. And...I must say I'm really happy with the results. It was only a few scratches (albeit quite deep scratches) on the rear quarter of the bumper but I know they removed the bumper from the car, repaired the damage and painted the whole bumper. No blending into the rear wings or boot lid which I insisted they didn't do.
Everyone was telling me how difficult Pearl White Metallic paint is to match (colour and finish), including all the approved Tesla repair centres but to my eyes it looks perfect.
I accept the quality of the work will in part be down to the skills of the individual.
Sounds promising but personally I would reserve final judgement until you've seen it in a variety of light conditions. Mine looked to match is some light and not in others. I've no idea why that would be the case on a physics level, but its what I experienced and what I'd previous commented on.Everyone was telling me how difficult Pearl White Metallic paint is to match (colour and finish), including all the approved Tesla repair centres but to my eyes it looks perfect.
I accept the quality of the work will in part be down to the skills of the individual.
Or maybe it's best not to look too closely and as long as your eye isn't drawn to it, its fine.
Bluevanman said:
Clearly a colour discrepancy in the bottom picture but that could just as easily be the before picture 
The original paint is shown in the bottom picture. I've owned the car from new so I know that paintwork is from the factory. I guess you can see therefore why I'm so pleased with the work carried out by Tesla's own bodyshop Paintwork checks out in different light conditions too.
As a bonus, they even refitted the charge port cover so that it's a much better fit now. It always niggled me a bit because it never fitted perfectly flush when closed but it does now. Whether that's by luck or not doesn't matter to me
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