Tesla Model S · Chantilly, VA
MODEL S PAINT PROTECTION FILM
The Model S has the lowest nose of any Tesla, and on I-66 or the Dulles Toll Road that nose sits right at the height of the gravel spray coming off the car ahead. Add Tesla's thin, soft paint and a Model S front end looks tired after one winter of salt and cinders. The Plaid cars that come through our bay are the worst for it, because they cover more miles faster. Full front STEK film takes the chips instead of the paint and goes on in a day.
This page covers where a Model S takes damage around Chantilly, what each of our three packages means on a low sedan, how the film works around the cameras, and what changed with the 2021 refresh. If the car is a Plaid, read the extended package note; the rockers on a low car take more than you would expect.
What we see in the bay
WHERE A MODEL S TAKES DAMAGE
A bumper at road height
The Model S bumper sits lower than the Model 3's, and the painted lower lip is the first thing a stone meets. Most unprotected Model S cars have a peppered lower bumper by the end of the first year.
The long, low frunk lid
Stones that skip off the bumper land across the front half of the frunk lid. On a sedan you look down at that panel every time you walk up, and on Midnight Silver or black it shows every chip.
Headlights and mirror caps
The headlights sit at the corners and pit from grit at speed, and the mirror caps chip because they are plastic with thin paint. Both are included in full front.
Soft paint everywhere
Tesla paint swirls from one brush wash and marks from a drying towel. The self-healing STEK top coat erases the light stuff in the sun, which is why so many Model S owners film the front before the first chip.
Three packages
WHAT EACH PACKAGE COVERS ON THE MODEL S
Partial Front
High-impact zones only · Half a day
Bumper, the first 18 inches of the frunk lid, the fender edges, and the mirror caps. The line crosses a long, low lid in plain view; on white it disappears, on darker colors it does not.
- Full front bumper
- Leading 18" of the hood
- Leading edge of both fenders
- Side mirrors
Full Front
What most drivers choose · One day
The full frunk lid as one piece, both fenders, the bumper, mirrors, headlights, and A-pillars. No line on the lid, which matters on a sedan this low. Our recommendation for a Model S that commutes.
- Full hood
- Full front bumper
- Both full fenders
- Side mirrors
- Headlights
- A-pillars
Full Front Extended
Front end plus the wear areas · One to two days
Adds the rocker panels, door edges, and door cups. On a car this low the rockers take gravel from the front tires, and the door cups on a Model S scratch from keys. Most Plaid owners take this one.
- Everything in Full Front
- Rocker panels
- Door edges and door cups
- Door strips
- A-pillars (halfway)
Pricing depends on the trim and the coverage you pick. What sets a PPF quote, or request yours and we reply the same business day.
CAMERAS AND SENSORS STAY CLEAR
The Model S has the forward cameras behind the windshield, cameras in the fenders and the B-pillars, and on the newest cars a camera in the front bumper. Older cars carry ultrasonic sensors in the bumper. Every window is cut out of the pattern for the exact year, so Autopilot and the parking aids work as before. Nothing is filmed over a lens.
REFRESH AND PRE-REFRESH PATTERNS
The 2021 refresh changed the front bumper, the headlights, and the frunk lid, so 2021 and newer cars use a different pattern set than the 2016 to 2020 facelift cars. The Long Range and the Plaid share the front end. We cut for the exact year.
EDGES WRAPPED, NOT CUT ON THE CAR
The frunk lid pattern wraps under the lid edge and the fender patterns tuck into the arch, so there is no exposed edge to catch dirt. Every piece is computer-cut before it touches the paint; we never cut film on the car.
By trim
TESLA MODEL S TRIMS WE FILM
Model S Long Range / AWD (2021+)
Refresh front end; full front is the common choice.
Model S Plaid
Same nose as Long Range; most owners add the rockers with full front extended.
Model S (2016 to 2020)
Facelift nose with the body-color fascia; its own pattern set.
Questions
TESLA MODEL S PPF QUESTIONS
No. The film is cut around every camera window and, on older cars, the bumper sensors, so nothing changes for Autopilot, Smart Summon, or parking assist. The windshield cameras are never touched.
No. Full front covers the whole frunk lid as one piece with the edge wrapped underneath, so there is no line. Partial front stops partway up the lid and shows on dark colors.
The front patterns are the same. The difference is miles and speed; Plaid owners cover more of both, so the rockers and door edges take more than on a Long Range. That is why most Plaid cars leave our bay with full front extended.
One day for full front. Drop off at 9 AM and pick up in the afternoon. Adding the extended package or a ceramic coating over the film makes it two days.
Book it for delivery week. New Tesla paint has no chips to hide and the film goes on invisibly. Many customers drive from the Tysons or Sterling delivery center straight to our Chantilly shop.
WHAT TESLA OWNERS SAY ABOUT OUR PPF
"Communicated very well in informing me about their PPF and ceramic coating offers. My truck was ready at our scheduled pickup time and they did a great job."
PPF + Ceramic Coatingvon rob
"I can’t say enough good things about my ceramic coat. I took a picture of it to show my friend and it literally looked like it was a mirror. Scheduling was easy. Payment was easy. Everything about the process was easy with top quality results. You won’t be disappointed! Thanks Mo!"
Ceramic CoatingChris Hons
"From start to finish, the experience was top-notch. Clear communication, fair pricing, and incredible workmanship. The ceramic coating completely transformed the look of my car and the shine is unreal. You can tell they take pride in their work. Highly recommend!!!"
Ceramic CoatingIsra Ibrahim
PPF by vehicle
PROTECT YOUR MODEL S THIS WEEK
Tell us the year and trim. Written quote the same business day, film on in one day at our Chantilly shop.