How are you all keeping your Teslas clean?
Just got my first Tesla delivered today and I'm already wondering what the best way to wash it is. I've read a lot about avoiding automatic car washes due to scratches etc. Is everyone hand washing their Teslas, or do you just risk it in the automatic carwash? Any tips on products to buy, soaps sprays etc?
So excited to have my new car just want to keep it looking nice. :)
EDIT: Thank you for all the great responses! I’m in an apartment building with a white Model 3. I’m going to look into a lot of these waterless car wash products since I don’t have access to a hose, and maybe pair that w a touch less car wash once in a while. Excited to finally be apart of the Tesla community!
I take it to a touch less carwash at least once a week.
It's not a show car. I have 112k miles on it in 3 years. My biggest concern is keeping it from rusting.
Holy shit, do you uber?
I just got rid of a car with 44k miles from 2018
I drive 110 miles a day, five days a week for my real job. I just started driving Uber on Friday and Saturday nights.
Did your insurance costs increase when you started driving for Uber?
Only like $20 per month.
Huh not as much as I thought
Yeah, it was reasonable.
How would they know about him driving Uber?
Uber's insurance covers you if you get in an accident while you have a passenger. If you get in an accident while on the way to pick someone up, your own insurance should cover you.
Yes, I could just not tell them, but I don't want them to find out somehow and then not have a claim covered.
Insurance companies ask if the car is used for rideshare. They don’t have a way of knowing but if you’re in an accident with a passenger then you might be in trouble
How's your maintenance and battery been. I do about 150/day 3-4 days a week for work. Started in June with 8k on a 2020 and just now at 34k
Battery has been fine. I still get 280 out of the original 305 that it was rated for.
The only thing I've replaced since the warranty expired is one headlight and the backup camera. I did the headlight myself with a $100 replacement from ebay.
I had the control arms replaced around at around 50k under warranty, but I just noticed that they are squeaking again. Debating on if I want to do stock or aftermarket when I replace them.
Not bad at all. Hoping mine doesn't give any troubles. Going to take it in for a check up soon just in case.
i got mine in sept 21 and i have 40k on it. 100 miles round trip for work will do it (the entire reason i bought the thing)
Same here. Took delivery Nov 21 and am at 41,500. I do a 200 mile commute at least twice a week.
I can't find a touchless wash anywhere, anymore. I live in the Dallas area and I swear they are all "soft" touch
I've been doing rinseless washes with ONR and some cheap Amazon/Costco microfiber towels and P&S Beadmaker as a drying agent. Might try a different brands when I run out.
Sunday morning in the garage with a two gallon bucket of ONR and a microfiber mitt. Three microfiber towels to dry. 20-30 minutes to a clean car. I even use ONR to wipe down the interior.
This. I also do a weekly ONR wash. Occasionally I hose the car down first if it's covered in dirt.
Do you mix the ONR into a spray bottle or just the bucket?
Is there any concerns with coating the car with a water repellent as far as longevity of the clear coat?
Generally, coatings adds a sacrificial layer on top of your clear coat so its added protection for the clear coat. Rinseless washes are very gentle on the car.
Best option for any car is always going to be a hand wash, whether that be a two bucket method alone or paired with a power washer.
Touchless car washes use harsh chemicals to compensate for the lack of touching while regular car washes will pick up dirt from previous cars and use that to scratch your paint.
So it really just comes down to you. Avoid regular car washes if at all possible.
Touchless will be fine if you're not picky and just like a decently clean car.
If you're particular and can invest a few bucks, another comment had it right, just get a good set of microfibers, a garden hose, a good pH neutral detergent, and a good drying towel.
If you're obsessed, check out this YouTube channel and start building an arsenal of professional/weekend warrior products. This is a good video to start with.
I was similar to you—had a Ford Fiesta and just liked having it clean. But once I got my Tesla, I started investing in higher end products and now use professional grade stuff and it's really become a solid, relaxing hobby.
Have fun with it, and good luck!
Second this! Started watching Pan the Organizer as soon as I got my Tesla. He has a good video on a basic starter car wash kit. I even followed his at home ceramic coating process just this last weekend!
Ive leaned so much from Pan. His videos rock.
I echo what's been said above. Two bucket method with grit guards. Microfiber mitt. A good drying towel.
I also really like washing with ONR.
I use mother nature's touch less wash...
She is doing her thing right now! ;)
Same, california's cloud has been very kind this year.
I got a decent foam cannon and pressure washer but I’ve always liked to wash my own stuff it’s therapeutic haha
Do you rub it gently?
Depends on if I’ve gotten any lately
The moment you realize it had no exhaust pipe
Wait then what’s that removable hole on the front bumper for??? 😱
Start by binge watching Pan The Organizer on youtube
I literally typed out my comment recommending his channel before I read your comment 😂 bravo 👏
Ya'll are keeping your cars clean?
If you truly want to care for the paint and have a driveway or some place you can hose your car down: $20 Foam cannon, $8 car soap, $2 scrub, a bucket, a hose, and a couple microfiber towels. If you don’t have a driveway take it to those self stall carwashes. If you’re someone who uses automatic carwashes with your previous cars then just do it. You’re just in the babying stage of your car and that probably won’t last. Yes it will scratch but if it didn’t stop you with your old car it shouldn’t stop you now.
Griot's Garage detailer or waterless car wash, Chemical Guys ultra plush microfibers. Even the most expensive auto store microfibers will scratch the paint, the ultra plush is the way to go. I clean the car off a couple times a week since I don't have it in the garage and it looks freshly washed.
We don't have any brushless car washes around here and I don't like to do it in the driveway too much (we're supposed to keep it to a minimum).
It's a car. Wash it like a car. It's nothing special except for the paintwork is so shit it literally chips off at any sign of a stone.
So I do diluted APC on the wheels because I don't find that you need wheel cleaner due to the lack of brake dust. I often don't even brush them.
Then snow foam and let it sit for a minute.
Rinse off and wash with a soft mit and shampoo.
Then I'll either use a spray on ceramic coat like autoglym or wax with fussocoat dark every couple of months.
Dry using micro fibre drying towels.
Clean windows with rain x.
For the interior I fully protected the car with scotchguard when I got it so not I just use turtle wax interior detailing spray to wipe everything down.
Finally, step back and admire your work, but be incredibly pissed off at the massive stone chips all over the car because Tesla paint is about as hard as syrup.
I was worried like this when I first bought. I've done several automatic car washes with no problems yet. Daily usage has resulted in so much damage, it really helps change your perspective.
I hand wash. Although as time passes, the car stays dirty a lot more these days. Auto washes are not the best, if you need to, go touch less. Some of the soaps will leave a weird white film on your black trim, have to scrub it off.
For cleaning products, I like Chemical Guy products. I just order off Amazon although I saw Costco had a kit. Get a good tire dressing and applicator. The silk shine is very nice for the plastic in the car.
I also like the aero wash wax.
I take it through the slappy, full contact car wash weekly. Mine's white though, so you can't really see any of the paint swirls people complain (justifiably for sure) about.
For traveling and previously living @ apartment complex, Meguiar’s waterless wash and Kirkland microfiber cloths do me the trick.
I just take mine to the local manual coin wash that has the pressure wand.
Some good products on top of the Chemical Guys - Cocomfix Rim Repair Kit, Black... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B49FXYST?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
GARAGEBULLS Plastic Restorer &... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X45VSD5?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Adam's Graphene Tire Dressing Combo https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NVZT8V3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
ScratchesHappen Exact-Match Touch... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096Y7CMYD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Chemical Guys SPI_993_16 Nonsense... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ANA3UTK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Hand wash with chemical guys kit + ONR + pressure washer (40 degree nozzle)
We’re not 🥲
Ceramic coated and touchless car wash often. Black M3
Hand wash only for me.
Hand wash with ONR and microfiber cloths. I did a full wrap in stealth PPF over factory solid black
I take mine to an automatic car wash; one with brushes (monthly pass). I wipe it down afterwards with an old but clean diaper. It's the nicest car I ever owned so far but it's still just a car.
Ceramic coat it immediately with chemical guys ceramic coating. This way water will bead and roll right off. The back may get a bit dirty add a result of aerodynamics but rest of car will be clean. I've washed it three times since Nov '21 - garaged.
Touchless carwash. Buy for the best wash option because you have a luxury sports car now.
Buy a megapack of microfiber towels and keep a few handy in the car. You're gonna want to use them to tidy up droplets, without scratching the paint.
Summer months: Get those night-time driving bugs off ASAP using a bug-melting cleanser and your thumb in a garden hose.
https://youtu.be/tjoXbuQ5_io
I follow this method almost to a T
Ceramic coating makes it easier to clean. Even bird droppings don’t mar the surface. I use Optimum No Rinse (ONR) with 2 buckets. My model 3 is approaching 4 yo and I still have about 80% of the bottle of ONR left. I have none of the fine scratches that are visible when the sun shines on the car.
Funny, as a European , and French guy, it’s strictly forbidden to wash you car at home or in the street. You must strictly use car washes that have an agreement to recycle water and can dispose of all the chemical products.
It’s my lease car so I don’t 👍🏻 The other car I only hand wash but the model 3 isn’t rare or that special so I’m not wasting hours and hours keeping it nicer for the next owner
I used an automatic car wash with my previous one and had no issues.
I wrapped my new one so now I use the coin op high pressure car washes to protect the wrap. Only use brush when really dirty.
I take it to a self-Carwash near me. Just a word of advice: make sure that the person before you didn’t wash their muddy car. Always take the pressure gun and wash the brush. Also, the Tesla paint is very “soft” (it’s what they call it) and will scratch or chip very easily. So just use it and don’t worry about chips and small scratches. It is what it is!
Congrats and drive it A LOT! Enjoy it!
I live in a house so I just wash it like a normal human being. If I lived in an apartment I’d prob go to one of those self wash places with the bays
I do this ONR method a couple times a month and the results are awesome. Touchless car washes are ok in a pinch but don’t do nearly as good as job as what I can do in 40min myself at home
https://youtu.be/G_9_0ElVChU
I've always really been into keeping my cars clean, I get a detailing guy to give it a full detail once every 1-2 months, and if the weather is good I'll clean it myself weekly on a Sunday if I have the time. Rinse with pressure washer, snow foam, leave for 5-10 mins, rinse off, 2 bucket method with a high quality microfibre mitt, then dry down with some huge high quality microfibers.
What are people using to clean their interiors? Specifically white seats, they seem to pick up every speck of dust and dirt and I’m getting nervous on how I’m going to keep them so white.
Tesla paint is super soft, I recommend to have it ceramic coated or PPF/ceramic coat. Minimal washes on it and your car will look like it just came out of factory. Got my 2020 model 3 and ceramic coated it and it still has factory looking paint until now. I recommend PPF for at least the front half of the car for rock chips. But it’s all up to you. Congrats on the model 3 :)
I only do an occasional hand was with soft materials and my car still has lots of swirls. The paint just isn’t great quality. A good coating would probably go a long way
There are these washes that are automated where a car enters and exits clean. Cost a few bucks, and I see ICE cars using them all the time.... Forget what they are called.
I paid $500 (BF deal) for a local detailer to paint correct and ceramic coat my new Tesla at the time. Being able to rinse/foam cannon/and using my Ego leaf blower to dry with ease without laying a finger on my car has made it worth every damn penny.
I’ll occasionally go to the touch less car wash too when I’m too lazy, and it does a great job as well. I just pop the blower in my trunk and finish drying off any left wet spots.
Great tip about the blower. My scratches always result from hand drying no matter how meticulous I am about using clean towels.
It’s a car. Wash it like any other car, using whatever method that will satiate your OCD.
Sponge and a bucket of water, the good ol' way
I take it to touch less car wash whenever I take a long drive to get it clean. Looks great except for front which needs TLC. Just don’t go to a car wash with brushes. Find one that is a laser wash or uses the razor machine.
I'd say touchless is the way to go, if you're not the type to do it yourself. I'd recommend a professional detail once or twice a year, depending on where you live.
I just hand wash, the water is free :)
I carry a vacuum cleaner in the trunk 😁
Tesla seat cleaner, vacuum often, ceramic coat, PPF entire front end
Wait, y'all wash your cars?
But seriously, I hand wash with Optimum No Rinse Wash and Shine. It's nice because I don't have to use a ton of water and could even use it to wash my car inside the garage if I had to.
I also don't like the areas in my neighborhood that have all the car washes. They all happen to be on streets that I won't touch my wheels on because they're basically one nonstop accident that's always happening and I won't get caught up in that.
I think I've washed my car three or four times in the ~21 months I've owned my Model 3. That's on par with how many times I washed my last car, but I had that one for 15 years so I'm on track to beat that record.
I just bought a dewalt battery powered power washer, and I have an outdoor laundry sink that stays full of RO water. I blast the bugs and dirt off every few days, plus hand wash maybe every two weeks. The RO final rinse means I don’t have to dry the thing. Washing is easy but drying is the hard part. Reverse Osmosis is the key to making your life easier.
Are you dedicated to spend 1-2 hours each week to wash your car? Yes- Home hand wash.
No, I have too much in my hand. Buy a car wash memebership
I take my car to a touchless car wash and park it in the garage. My husband hand washes and puts on ceramic wax on my car whenever he cleans his car. I don't have the time or patience to hand wash cars.
Ceramic coating Hand wash - 3 bucket method (if 2 is good, 3 is better) Meguiar’s Gold Class car wash (use generously in soap bucket when washing) Microfiber wash mitt - never let it touch the ground. If it does, clean it extremely thoroughly or throw it away and start with a new one. Use a different wash mitt for wheels vs body of the car and either wash wheels last or change out water in buckets if washing wheels first. Blow the car dry with backpack blower to avoid touching paint with more towels (even if microfiber) to avoid potential for swirls. Like someone said before - it becomes a relaxing hobby, but it can also become an obsession.2020 Red M3
Am I the only one that notices MY are suckers for trapping dirt on the hatch/bumper?
Hand wash maybe 1x/mo max. Foam sprayer (not cannon), but doesn’t seem to add much. Every so often spray wax. Once yearly clay bar and spray sealer. All mostly Chem Guys or Meguiars.
I bought and installed an old auto washer machine in my garage. Removed the brushes of course, and now I clean my car after every drive. I even let my neighbors use it if they want. Just reimburse me for the car shampoo.
Ceramic coat will help washing
Power washer
Hand wash maybe once every two weekends, or as needed. With as much glass as there is, hand washing is not that big of an effort. Pre-wash the car, suds 'er up, use clean microfiber cloths and if there are bugs on the front maybe a little elbow grease will be needed. Rinse off, squeegee the glass, and then dry with other clean microfiber towels. Make sure your towels don't have dirt or particles.
I was hand washing for the first 3 months out of new owner anxiety but after the rock chips, the constant bug splatter and the fact that it sits outside, I told myself “fuk are you doing? This ain’t a Porsche, you’ve got better use of your time”. Touch type car washes from this point on. Throw on some tire shine afterwards, good to go…
I’ve got an unlimited touch free car wash for $20 and then I clean the white seats every two weeks
I read about the swirl mark and scratches from automatic car washes but I've taken my car for almost a year now and haven't had any issues (I have a white M3).I have a subscription with Mister Car Wash and wash my car at least once a week. Although I do make sure the car wash I take it to doesn't use anything that's cloth/felt material.
I've had mine for 5 years now. Model 3. Gray. I had ceramic put on it, and a protective film just on the front. I use automatic (mostly touchless, when available) washers all the time. No issues. I treat it like a regular car. Main thing is getting the road salt off after it snows.
Automated car wash. The brushes are so soft where I usually wash
I dont drive it
Lately I'm just getting lazy and using a foam cannon on the pressure washer. It gets off the surface dirt, but not as good as a sponge+bucket wash. It gives my car a barely acceptable "just washed last week" look.
I had my car ceramic coated in 2018, which helps. I don't go through extra effort to maintain the finish and I have never put additional products on top of it, but even 4.5 years later it still beads water and stays looking clean longer after washing.
Back when I really cared about keeping it clean, I did the ONR no-rinse method which worked great, and I could even wash the car inside my garage in the winter.
It’s a car. Nothing special about cleaning it, with the exception of it has thin ass paint.
I drove from delivery straight to a detail shop to get a PPF. Paint job for Tesla's are notoriously poor quality. I also hand wash the car myself just bc it's my baby. I don't recommend ever going through an automatic.
Products I use on the PPF are dawn dishwashing soap, drive it dry, then immediately apply a coat of XPEL Detail Spray over the entire car. I use XPEL interior cleaner for the interior. And I haven't cracked the case on how to not streak the damn windows. I may hire a detail team to attempt getting the streaks off the windows. Super Clean purple for tires and rims, and Meguiar's Endurance Tire Gel for tires as last step.
I rarely wash mine. It's going to get dirty again pretty soon after cleaning it. I understand the appeal of a clean detailed car but it's not worth it to me personally. Be green, save some green, dirty cars are s3xy.
Professional ceramic coating and wipe down w a detail spray and microfiber towel as needed. Hand wash when necessary
I do a touchless car wash every 1-3 months. I wipe out the seats as needed with baby wipes. I clean the dash with a damp cloth as needed. I clean the glass with auto glass cleaner as needed.
Takes maybe 5 minutes to do the glass and 5 minutes to do the interior.
It’s one of the lowest maintenance cars I’ve owned to keep clean. Would have greatly preferred red for ease of keeping it looking clean without being grey, but I won’t pay extra for generic paint.
California rain
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