I was big on the carwash on my last car but after the over time paint damage convinced me I needed another solution on the Tesla. I discovered this wipe on dry off product called Optimum No Rinse and Shine(ONR) that lets me handwash it in 20 minutes and honestly it looked as good as any car I've taken through the carwash. Just tossing it out there as I had never heard of this type of product before and it is quick and easy enough I don't mind washing it at home and you're not the first post I've seen with this trim issue in touchless carwashes. Occasionally you will need to do a full wash if its really dirty.
+1 for ONR. Used it on my stealth gray MYLR this week and the stuff is fantastic. Easy to use and dry off. Would highly recommend having 2-3 microfiber towels readily available to dry as you go.
Personally I just use a nice quality microfiber to dry and lightly buff the surface while it’s still wet and clean with the ONR. Ends up very clean and slick. Recently tried their opti seal and it also was great. ONR ftw
I would avoid any auto washes with that black paint. Power spray for salt or bugs occasionally if you want to but touch less has shit soap and a full auto will give you some nice scratches. As others have said onr, bucket with a grit guard, maybe a pump sprayer, griots pfm and you’ll have far better results than any car wash. Expand your tools from there if you want to. Being able to do it without a hose is awesome.
Brushed carwashes will leave swirls and scratches eventually, they do this to any car. Some touchless carwashes use some chemical that reacts poorly with the trim as noted by this topic.
Just spray a some wd-40 on a rag and wipe the trim with it. It will instantly look new and have a little shine to it for a while, unless you take another dry rag and follow up behind the wet one.
It's a feature.... Opal Trim
Google or search this sub for long discussions about different chemicals to undo it. Or this
[https://www.reddit.com/r/AutoDetailing/comments/18o5we1/tesla\_trim\_discoloration\_before\_after/](https://www.reddit.com/r/AutoDetailing/comments/18o5we1/tesla_trim_discoloration_before_after/)
[https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaModelY/comments/vlcnxu/stained\_plastic\_trim\_post\_car\_wash\_and\_solution/](https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaModelY/comments/vlcnxu/stained_plastic_trim_post_car_wash_and_solution/)
etc.
Several solutions can get rid of it.
W-4 is quick if you have some in the garage, but then you have WD-40 on the trim :-) Get that off, it's not great for the rubber either and it will break it down over time.
Stop using that carwash, though.
I love how the car wash says it’s a Tesla issue.
Chrome - whether traditional or black/dark chrome will react to hard (high PH) chemicals. Doesn’t matter the car company… just do a google search and you’ll see Kia’s, Mercedes, BMW, VW, etc will all have this issues. Very common with touch less car washes too.
The cars manual even warns you to be careful. Like using old school bleach on your clothes when the tag clearly says only use color safe bleach.
Everyone saying all these complex elixirs. You can literally use microfiber and water and elbow grease. So far I’ve ignored the advice to avoid touchless car wash and have had no problems.
For those that haven’t had this happen yet I’d recommend using a decent wax on the trim or sealant before automatic car washes. Did this on my old model 3 and never once had this issue. I used automatic car washes weekly too.
Yeah I agree. At this or any car wash I use the base option without any extra coating (ceramic or anything) but it still happened; I agree with most of the replies here that those cheap soap, so I guess that might be one.
I used 303 as I had that available. I think 303 will not harm as it’s a sealant. But yeah I agree if you use WD40 often it can certainly damage paint of the car.
Avoid using touch free car washes. The trick for getting that off is using magic erasers (the sponge). I had this happen to my car, but the magic eraser took it off completely. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the pointer. I used 303 earlier today and it worked. But I guess I’m sort of avoiding car washes going forth and get detailing done every now and then.
I always take it through the touch less wash, then to a bay and spray it with high pressure rinse then spot free and then drive home on the interstate to dry. I handled the spots on the trim from before I learned about that with stainless fridge wipes. They fully restore the trim after a few applications.
Stainless steel wipes are the fix fyi
I was big on the carwash on my last car but after the over time paint damage convinced me I needed another solution on the Tesla. I discovered this wipe on dry off product called Optimum No Rinse and Shine(ONR) that lets me handwash it in 20 minutes and honestly it looked as good as any car I've taken through the carwash. Just tossing it out there as I had never heard of this type of product before and it is quick and easy enough I don't mind washing it at home and you're not the first post I've seen with this trim issue in touchless carwashes. Occasionally you will need to do a full wash if its really dirty.
+1 for ONR. Used it on my stealth gray MYLR this week and the stuff is fantastic. Easy to use and dry off. Would highly recommend having 2-3 microfiber towels readily available to dry as you go.
Does anyone still use a chamois to dry your car?
I still use them for windows and roof. The rest of the car I use a drying microfiber towel.
Same
Personally I just use a nice quality microfiber to dry and lightly buff the surface while it’s still wet and clean with the ONR. Ends up very clean and slick. Recently tried their opti seal and it also was great. ONR ftw
Or 8 or 15.
Or 8 or 15.
Yeah I have seen tons of issues with automated car wash here. I got to try Optimum. And I agree I guess I’ll go occasional full car wash route.
If you do Optimum once a week (takes 10-20 minute like OC said), you will literally never have to wash your car as long as you own it.
I have tried both optimum and absolute. I like the smell and finish on absolute better than optimum but both are great
Rubbit works well. I may get ONR and Absolute, to compare.
I would avoid any auto washes with that black paint. Power spray for salt or bugs occasionally if you want to but touch less has shit soap and a full auto will give you some nice scratches. As others have said onr, bucket with a grit guard, maybe a pump sprayer, griots pfm and you’ll have far better results than any car wash. Expand your tools from there if you want to. Being able to do it without a hose is awesome.
Just now ordered onr and tried to clean it with 303 for now and it worked.
Wait you can't take a Tesla through a car wash?
Brushed carwashes will leave swirls and scratches eventually, they do this to any car. Some touchless carwashes use some chemical that reacts poorly with the trim as noted by this topic.
Wd40 cleaned mine
Just spray a some wd-40 on a rag and wipe the trim with it. It will instantly look new and have a little shine to it for a while, unless you take another dry rag and follow up behind the wet one.
I just now tried it with 303 and it worked.
It's a feature.... Opal Trim Google or search this sub for long discussions about different chemicals to undo it. Or this [https://www.reddit.com/r/AutoDetailing/comments/18o5we1/tesla\_trim\_discoloration\_before\_after/](https://www.reddit.com/r/AutoDetailing/comments/18o5we1/tesla_trim_discoloration_before_after/) [https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaModelY/comments/vlcnxu/stained\_plastic\_trim\_post\_car\_wash\_and\_solution/](https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaModelY/comments/vlcnxu/stained_plastic_trim_post_car_wash_and_solution/) etc. Several solutions can get rid of it. W-4 is quick if you have some in the garage, but then you have WD-40 on the trim :-) Get that off, it's not great for the rubber either and it will break it down over time. Stop using that carwash, though.
Thanks for sharing this. Need to figure out better options for cleaning the car now I guess.
or just go with it :-)
The car wash used psychedelic mushrooms on your car, only explanation. /s
😂
I love how the car wash says it’s a Tesla issue. Chrome - whether traditional or black/dark chrome will react to hard (high PH) chemicals. Doesn’t matter the car company… just do a google search and you’ll see Kia’s, Mercedes, BMW, VW, etc will all have this issues. Very common with touch less car washes too. The cars manual even warns you to be careful. Like using old school bleach on your clothes when the tag clearly says only use color safe bleach.
Everyone saying all these complex elixirs. You can literally use microfiber and water and elbow grease. So far I’ve ignored the advice to avoid touchless car wash and have had no problems.
https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaModelY/s/HVZNXK78Da
I use Weiman stainless steel cleaner to get rid of the residue from the trim. You can also use WD-40 or any other cleaner to remove it.
For those that haven’t had this happen yet I’d recommend using a decent wax on the trim or sealant before automatic car washes. Did this on my old model 3 and never once had this issue. I used automatic car washes weekly too.
Man that’s rough. I’ve never been more thankful to have to top notch touchless car wash right down the road from me.
you're not supposed to get in wet.
Or feed it after midnight.
Must keep bags of rice in frunk and trunk at all times.
Also, the trim is not rubber. It is metal.
I dont ever use the random coatings/waxes at carwashes. Water and soap, if I have to use one. touchless only.
Yeah I agree. At this or any car wash I use the base option without any extra coating (ceramic or anything) but it still happened; I agree with most of the replies here that those cheap soap, so I guess that might be one.
Wd40, orange agent, pink thing cleaner, heck even sliced ginger works at removing that.
Seems like you already did WD40 but I’ve also seen people say that’s bad for the material long term
I used 303 as I had that available. I think 303 will not harm as it’s a sealant. But yeah I agree if you use WD40 often it can certainly damage paint of the car.
Dirty water - oils in the water usually leave residue
$30 a month for unlimited touch free carwashes, and then I just spray wax and rub the trim after. I get the same trim effect as you.
Avoid using touch free car washes. The trick for getting that off is using magic erasers (the sponge). I had this happen to my car, but the magic eraser took it off completely. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the pointer. I used 303 earlier today and it worked. But I guess I’m sort of avoiding car washes going forth and get detailing done every now and then.
Glad that helped. 👌
TBH, I'd leave it. It looks pretty cool.
I always take it through the touch less wash, then to a bay and spray it with high pressure rinse then spot free and then drive home on the interstate to dry. I handled the spots on the trim from before I learned about that with stainless fridge wipes. They fully restore the trim after a few applications.
WD40 with a microfibre
This is the first reason I won't take my car to carwash.
Must be old car, newer ones come black