08/03/2024 10:28:30

Paint Defect Rectification

Correction code 10300020 0.20 NOTE: Unless otherwise explicitly stated in the procedure, the above correction code and FRT reflect all of the work required to perform this procedure, including the linked procedures. Do not stack correction codes unless explicitly told to do so. NOTE: See Flat Rate Times to learn more about FRTs and how they are created. To provide feedback on FRT values, email LaborTimeFeedback@tesla.com. NOTE: See Personal Protection to make sure proper PPE is worn when performing the below procedure.

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
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.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
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

  1. Inspect the defect(s) and determine whether they are low or high risk.
    • 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.
    • Low Risk Defect Characteristics
      • 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
    Figure 1. Low risk basic surface paint inclusions
    Figure 2. 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
    Figure 3. High risk off color paint inclusion
    Figure 4. High risk defect on character line

Remove Dirt Inclusion

  1. Apply isopropyl alcohol to the general area of the defect, and then wipe the area with a clean microfiber towel.
  2. While wearing a nitrile glove, run hand over the area around the dirt inclusion and check for fine bumps in the paint.
    • If bumps are detected, perform clay treatment on the area before proceeding to the next step.
    • If no bumps are detected, proceed to the next step.
  3. Apply detail spray to the affected area, and clean the affected area with a decontamination mitt using light and straight passes. Continue to the next step when the mitt no longer drags on the paint.
  4. Install a new sanding disc on the sander.
  5. Spray the sanding disc with water.
  6. Set the sander speed according to region, and while the sander is off, place the disc on top of the dirt inclusion.
    • NA: lowest speed
    • APAC: TBD
    • EMEA: TBD
  7. Keeping the disc stationary and flush with the body panel, activate the sander for 3 seconds, and then turn off the sander.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Do not run the sander for more than 3 seconds.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Do not remove the sander from the body panel until the disc stops spinning.
  8. Remove sanding dust and water from the body panel with a clean microfiber towel.
  9. Inspect the paint inclusion.
    • If the paint inclusion has been reduced by around 50%, but less than 90%, continue to the next step.
    • If the paint inclusion has been reduced by around 90%, continue to step 1 of the next section "Remove Sand Mark".
    • If the paint inclusion has not been reduced by at least 50%, discontinue this procedure and take the vehicle to a body shop.
  10. Spray the sanding disc with water to remove sanding dust, and then perform steps 6 to 9 up to a maximum of 3 times.

Remove Sand Mark

  1. Install a cutting pad on the buffer, and then apply 4 evenly spaced 20 mm diameter dollops of cutting compound on the cutting pad.
  2. Set the buffer speed according to region, and while the buffer is off, place the tool on top of the sanding mark.
    • NA: setting 3
    • APAC: TBD
    • EMEA: TBD
  3. Keeping the pad flush with the body panel, activate the buffer for 5 seconds, making 1 foot long side to side swipes over the sanding mark.
  4. Turn off the buffer and remove the buffer from the body panel only when the pad stops spinning.
  5. Remove the cutting compound from the body panel with a clean microfiber towel.
  6. Apply one 10 mm diameter dollop of cutting compound on the center of the sanding mark.
  7. Set the buffer speed according to region, and while the buffer is off, place the buffer on top of the sanding mark.
    • NA: setting 5
    • APAC: TBD
    • EMEA: TBD
  8. Keeping the pad flush with the body panel, activate the buffer.
  9. Apply pressure until the buffer begins to stall, and then reduce pressure until the buffer rotates normally.
  10. At a rate of 1 inch per second, move the buffer side to side in a 6 inch area centered on the paint inclusion.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Keep the tool level and continuously moving.
  11. Turn the buffer off after 15 seconds or when the cutting compound begins to dissipate. Remove the buffer from the body panel only when the pad stops spinning.
  12. Remove the cutting compound from the body panel with a clean microfiber towel.
  13. Inspect the affected area.
    • If sanding marks are still present, perform steps 6 to 13.
    • If sanding marks are no longer present, and only hazing/swirling remain, continue to the next step.
  14. Turn on the buffer, and then clean the pad with a pad cleaning brush.
  15. With the buffer still running, use a microfiber towel to remove as much residual compound as possible from the pad, and then turn off the buffer.

Polish

  1. Remove the cutting pad from the buffer, and then install a polishing pad on the buffer.
  2. Apply 4 evenly spaced 20 mm diameter dollops of polishing compound on the polishing pad.
  3. Set the buffer speed according to region, and while the buffer is off, place the tool on top of the affected area.
    • NA: setting 3
    • APAC: TBD
    • EMEA: TBD
  4. Keeping the pad flush with the body panel, activate the buffer for 5 seconds, making 1 foot long side to side swipes over the affected area.
  5. Turn off the buffer and remove the buffer from the body panel only when the pad stops spinning.
  6. Remove the polishing compound from the body panel with a clean microfiber towel, and then identify any remaining hazing/swirling.
  7. Apply one 5 mm diameter dollop to the center of the remaining hazing/swirling.
  8. Set the buffer speed according to region, and while the buffer is off, place the buffer on top of the hazing/swirling.
    • NA: setting 5
    • APAC: TBD
    • EMEA: TBD
  9. Keeping the pad flush with the body panel, activate the buffer.
  10. Apply pressure until the buffer begins to stall, and then reduce pressure until the buffer rotates normally.
  11. At a rate of 0.5 inches per second, move the buffer side to side in a 1 foot area centered on the hazing/swirling.
  12. Turn the buffer off after 30 seconds or when the polishing compound begins to dissipate. Remove the buffer from the body panel only when the pad stops spinning.
  13. Remove the polishing compound from the body panel with a clean microfiber towel, and then inspect the affected area.
    • If hazing/swirling are still present, perform steps 7 to 13.
    • If hazing/swirling are no longer present, continue to the next step.
  14. Apply detail spray to a clean microfiber towel, and then remove any residual polish from the body panel.
  15. Using an inspection light and another clean microfiber towel, perform a final inspection and cleaning of the affected area. Check all adjacent body panels and gaps.