Model S Body Work and Garaging

Pete Taft · Nov 22, 2015

Hello All:

Forgive any ineptitude as I've never been part of a Forum before. Two questions: (1) I have a couple small dings on my Model S (2015). Do I need to take it to a Tesla-approved shop, or can any shop work on the dents? (2) I live in the country, four very different seasons (New Jersey). No garage. Use a cover, or ignore? Smart MIT friend says all car paints are quite durable not to worry (he's also a builder, so would do well if I built a garage!). Also thinks effect on battery minimal.

Thoughts? Thanks.

Kratus · Nov 22, 2015

Hi,

The Model S has an aluminum body, so you have to give it to an approved body shop.
You can find one on this page :
Find an approved body shop | Tesla Motors

JeffS · Nov 22, 2015

Every small ding is worth a magical attempt at diy fix. Heat the area with the ding until it is hot to the touch. Hot hair dryer is what I use. Heat the metal for a ling time. Hot...like it was sitting in the sun in Phoenix all day. Then, hold a can of compressed air (computer dusting air can) upside down and spray it on the ding. They frequently pop right out. Like magic.

The rest of the questions...I an a nube, so I will let others chime in.

The dent trick though, I have done it 1/2 dozen times and it works about 1/2 the time. Worth trying as first order repair.

Pete Taft · Nov 22, 2015

Thanks both. Very very helpful and I'll try the trick!

Dborn · Nov 22, 2015

If you are talking about really small localised dents without paint damage, then I see no reason to go to a body shop. Let your local ding goes guy do the job. The tools they use are highly specialised and do the job well. A body shop will charge you two arms and a leg, will want to paint the entire panel and maybe the adjacent ones as well, " so that the color blends in".

CHG-ON · Nov 22, 2015

Do you know if it works on aluminum?

JeffS said:
Every small ding is worth a magical attempt at diy fix. Heat the area with the ding until it is hot to the touch. Hot hair dryer is what I use. Heat the metal for a ling time. Hot...like it was sitting in the sun in Phoenix all day. Then, hold a can of compressed air (computer dusting air can) upside down and spray it on the ding. They frequently pop right out. Like magic.

The rest of the questions...I an a nube, so I will let others chime in.

The dent trick though, I have done it 1/2 dozen times and it works about 1/2 the time. Worth trying as first order repair.

Dborn · Nov 22, 2015

There are other threads on here where it has been successfully done.

BertL · Nov 22, 2015

OP, on your additional question re car cover, suggest you just scroll down I. This forum or do a quick search... Several other threads covering the same questions of viability, options, etc within the past week or two. Here's one with a general reply I tried to heplp with: Car Cover Users - What's Your Experience?

artsci · Nov 22, 2015

Pete Taft said:
Hello All:

Forgive any ineptitude as I've never been part of a Forum before. Two questions: (1) I have a couple small dings on my Model S (2015). Do I need to take it to a Tesla-approved shop, or can any shop work on the dents? (2) I live in the country, four very different seasons (New Jersey). No garage. Use a cover, or ignore? Smart MIT friend says all car paints are quite durable not to worry (he's also a builder, so would do well if I built a garage!). Also thinks effect on battery minimal.

Thoughts? Thanks.

I don't garage my car but do cover it now and then (only when clean). It's 2 1/2 years old but looks new. It's washed every week and detailed about every 4 months. Maintenance of the exterior on a regular basis is what counts. Way more than garaging the car.

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