Lifestyle
Hypnotic look at a Tesla Model Y getting a XPEL Paint Protection Film (PPF) treatment
One of the first accessories for many Tesla owners is a paint protection film (PPF) or ceramic coating that helps in reducing the risk of exterior paint damage on their new vehicle.
Famed detailer in the San Francisco Bay Area OCDetailing, arguably best known for their paint correction and exterior wrap/coating services for Tesla owners, have given us a hypnotic look at a Tesla Model Y undergoing an XPEL paint protection film transformation.
First, it’s necessary to understand the differences between two very popular paint protection applications: PPF and Ceramic Coating.
Ceramic Coating (Opti-Coat Pro+, CarPro CQuartz)
A ceramic coating, or also known as a nano-coating, is a liquid polymer that can be applied to the exterior paint surface of your Tesla. The coating chemically bonds to the vehicle’s paint to create a layer of protection that’s both harder than the factory paint and hydrophobic to repel water.
The end result is a glossy look that also contains many properties that make car washing and removal of stains, including bird droppings, easier. The nanotechnology coating also provides improved protection to paint swirl marks and scratches. Arguably, the two most popular Ceramic Coating brands for Tesla owners are CarPro CQuartz Finest and Opti-Coat Pro+.
Benefits of Ceramic Coatings for Tesla owners are as follows:
- High gloss finish makes the vehicle look extra shiny.
- Hydrophobic property makes car washing a breeze. Water and soap will pull dirt and grime off a vehicle with minimal wiping.
- Chemical bond protects paint from contaminants.
- UV protection to protect paint from fading.
Note: Unlike a “clear bra” or PPF that are transparent films that require intense labor to form-fit and adhere to the car’s exterior, ceramic coatings are applied in liquid form, require less manual work, and thus significantly cheaper to install. Ceramic Coatings also age with time and need to be reapplied between 2 – 5 years.
Paint Protection Film (XPEL PPF)
For many Tesla owners, the decision to apply a paint protection film from XPEL, 3M or another vendor, comes as a no-brainer because of the product’s lifetime protection against scratches, vandalism, and even minor fender benders due to the film’s self-healing properties.
However, applying PPF can come at a hefty cost that ranges between a few thousand dollars to upwards of $10,000 when combined with paint color correction services. Pricing varies depending on the level of protection that is installed on your Tesla. Some choose to install PPF on only areas of the vehicle that are most prone to damage and abrasion, such as the hood, front bumper, and rear bumper, while others decide to wrap the entire car.
Tesla Owners: What type of paint protection did you go with?
— Teslarati Team (@TeslaratiTeam) March 21, 2020
For one Tesla Model Y owner, getting the full XPEL paint protection film treatment as a first upgrade immediately after taking vehicle delivery was instinctual.
The folks at OCDetailing gives us a close look at the level of work and precision that goes into protecting a Tesla Model Y with PPF.
Elon Musk has been pretty open about the idea of FSD being the difference maker for Tesla’s future.
If Tesla succeeds in achieving FSD, it could become the world’s most valuable company. If it doesn’t, then the company would not be able to reach its optimum potential.
FSD Supervised’s safety benefits:
- But even if FSD is still not perfect today, FSD Supervised is already making a difference on the roads today.
- This was highlighted in Tesla’s Q4 2024 Vehicle Safety Report.
- As per Tesla, it recorded one crash for every 5.94 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology.
- For comparison, the most recent data available from the NHTSA and FHWA (from 2023) showed that there was one automobile crash every 702,000 miles in the United States.
This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
— JC Christopher (@JohnChr08117285) January 29, 2025
The convenience of…
FSD user’s tale:
- As per an FSD user’s post on social media platform X, FSD Supervised was able to help him drive a relative to a medical facility safely even if he was exhausted.
- During the trip, the driver only had to monitor FSD Supervised’s performance to make sure the Tesla operated safely.
- In a vehicle without FSD, such a trip with an exhausted driver would have been quite dangerous.
- “This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
- “The convenience of sending the hospital’s address directly from my iPhone to my Tesla while still inside my house, then just a single button press once inside, and 40 miles later we were precisely in front of the hospital’s admissions area.This experience really underscores just how transformative this technology can be for society,” Tesla owner JC Christopher noted in his post.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
There are few things that prove an enthusiast’s love towards a company more than a dedicated short film. This was highlighted recently when YouTube’s SoKrispyMedia posted a 10-minute action movie starring Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, as well as several of the company’s most iconic products.
The video:
- Shot like a Hollywood action flick, the video featured a rather humorous plot involving a group of thieves that mistakenly targeted a Tesla Model 3 driver.
- The Model 3 driver then ended up speaking to Tesla for assistance, and some high-octane and high-speed hijinks ensued.
- While the short film featured several Tesla products like the Model 3, Superchargers, and the Cybertruck, it is Optimus that truly stole the show.
- Optimus served several roles in the short film, from an assistant in a Tesla office to a “robocop” enforcer that helped out the Model 3 driver.
Future Robo-cop @Tesla_Optimus
— SOKRISPYMEDIA (@sokrispymedia) January 12, 2025
full video: https://t.co/TXpSRhcP5K pic.twitter.com/YFHZ7siAP7
Cool inside jokes:
- The best Tesla videos are those that show an in-depth knowledge of the company, and SoKrispyMedia definitely had it.
- From the opening scenes alone, the video immediately poked fun at TSLA traders, the large number of gray Tesla owners, and the fact that many still do not understand Superchargers.
- The video even poked fun at Tesla’s software updates, as well as how some Tesla drivers use Autopilot or other features without reading the fine print in the company’s release notes.
- The video ended with a tour de force of references to Elon Musk products, from the Tesla Cybertruck to the Boring Company Not-a-Flamethrower, which was released back in 2018.
Check out SoKrispyMedia’s Tesla action short film in the video below.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
Tesla definitely seems to be determined to release the coolest lineup of accessories for its coolest vehicle. As could be seen in an update to the Tesla Shop, the electric vehicle maker has now launched a metal key card for the Cybertruck—because why not?
Cybertruck keys:
- The Cybertruck, similar to Tesla’s other vehicles, is shipped with a regular key card.
- The vehicle could also be accessed and locked through a phone key.
- As per the Cybertruck’s Owner’s Manual, the all-electric pickup truck is capable of supporting a total of 19 keys.
The Cybertruck’s Metal Key Card:
- Tesla’s Cybertruck Metal Key Card functions much like the vehicle’s regular key card, but it is finished using premium stainless steel
- As per Tesla’s description of the item:
- “Convenient, durable, versatile. The Cybertruck Metal Key Card is a premium stainless-steel alternative to our traditional plastic key cards, making it easy to access your Cybertruck without your Phone Key. Ideal for when your phone is unavailable or when sharing your vehicle with a friend or valet.”
- The Cybertruck Metal Key Card costs $60.
- In comparison, the Cybertruck’s regular key card is sold for $40.
- The Cybertruck Metal Key Card comes with the metal key card itself, as well as a bifold key card wallet.
Tesla Cybertruck merch push:
- Being the company’s most eye-catching vehicle, it is no surprise that that Tesla has been releasing quite a lot of merchandise inspired by the all-electric pickup truck.
- These include a $250 levitating Cybertruck model, as well as a $35 Cybertruck wind-up racer, both of which are out of stock.
- Tesla also sells the $35 “CyberMug,” a $40 “CyberStein,” and a $50 “CyberVessel.”
- Other Cybertruck-inspired merchandise are the $60 Cyberwhistle Stealth, and the $50 CyberOpener.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
Armored Tesla Cybertruck “War Machine” debuts at Defense Expo 2025
Tesla Megapacks chosen for 548 MWh energy storage project in Japan
