Tesla Detailing Guide
Keep your Tesla looking showroom new forever.
🚿 Step 1: Car Wash Mode
Before you even touch the water, you MUST enable simple mode. This locks the charge port, folds mirrors, disables wipers, and locks the trunk.
Controls > Service > Car Wash Mode > Enter
*Only exit when you are completely finished drying.
🚫 Automatic Brush Washes
Avoid at all costs. The stiff bristles will swirl and scratch your soft Tesla paint ("The Swirl-O-Matic").
✅ Touchless Washes
Safe in a pinch. Uses only high-pressure water and soap. No physical brushes verify compatibility with vehicle sensors (use Wash Mode!).
🧽 The Two-Bucket Method (Best Board)
- Rinse first: Blast off loose dirt with a hose/pressure washer.
- Foam Cannon (Optional): Coat the car in snow foam to lift dirt.
- Bucket 1 (Soap): Clean microfiber mitt goes here.
- Bucket 2 (Rinse): Dirty mitt gets rinsed here before re-soaping.
- Dry: Use a leaf blower or large microfiber towel. Never air dry (water spots).
🛡️ Protection: PPF vs Ceramic Coating
PPF (Paint Protection Film)
- ✅ Invisible armor against rock chips
- ✅ Self-healing (scratches disappear with heat)
- ❌ Expensive ($1,500 - $6,000)
- Recommendation: Get the "Front Bumper + Hood" package.
Ceramic Coating
- ✅ Extreme gloss and shine
- ✅ Hydrophobic (water beads off)
- ✅ Easier to wash (dirt doesn't stick)
- ❌ Doesn't stop rock chips
- Recommendation: Great DIY project ($100 for a bottle).