Safety Warning

DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.

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HOMESERVICE MANUALSTESLA2018MODEL 3 BASEREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISGENERAL INFORMATIONHOIST/JACKBODY -- MODEL 3PAINTPAINT DEFECT RECTIFICATIONDETERMINE DEFECT RISK LEVEL

2018 Tesla Model 3 Base

Determine Defect Risk Level

2018 Tesla Model 3 BaseSECTION Determine Defect Risk Level

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
NOTE:
Low Risk Basic Surface Paint Inclusions (1 Of 2)

Courtesy of TESLA, INC.

NOTE:
Low Risk Basic Surface Paint Inclusions (2 Of 2)

Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
- 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
NOTE:
High Risk Off Color Paint Inclusion

Courtesy of TESLA, INC.

NOTE:
High Risk Defect On Character Line

Courtesy of TESLA, INC.

RENDER: 1.0x

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When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

• You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
• Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
• The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
• You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
• You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.