Tesla Paint Protection, Ceramic Coating and Tint

What each kind of protection actually does on a Tesla, what we would skip, and how we price it.

What each kind of protection does

Paint protection film (PPF)
Think of it as a screen protector for your paint. It's a clear, self-healing film that takes rock chips and scuffs so the paint underneath doesn't. Light scratches disappear with heat.
STEK DYNOshield, backed by a 10-year manufacturer warranty. STEK matte film is also available for the whole car or just accent pieces.
Ceramic coating
A coating works a lot like a good manicure or the finish on a hardwood floor: hard, glossy, and easy to clean, but not armor. Rough towels and brush car washes can still scratch it, and a rock at highway speed goes right through it. That's the job film does. What you get is a surface dirt and water don't hold on to, so washes are faster, easier and less frequent - which also means less water.
Ceramic Pro coatings. Every package is done in one day or less and the car goes home the same day. It cures over 7 to 10 days, and during that window it can be driven and get wet, just not washed.
Ceramic IR window tint
Sunscreen for the cabin. It blocks heat and UV for you, your passengers, your pets and your interior.
Ceramic IR, with 15%, 25%, 35% and 70% shades in stock. Installs take one to four hours depending on window count, and the windows stay up for a 2 to 5 day cure.
Ceramic Pro LUX interior coating
A protective layer on the seats and interior surfaces so dye transfer, spills and everyday messes wipe up instead of soaking in.
The reason white Tesla interiors stay white. $360 for a car, $430 for an SUV, $500 with a usable third row.

What we skip on a Tesla

Windshield protection film
We don't recommend it on a Tesla. Tesla offers windshield coverage, so film on the windshield usually isn't money well spent.
Glass roof tint
We don't tint Tesla glass roofs. The roof already comes from the factory with heat and UV protection built in, and adding film to a large glass panel can cause heat stress that leads to the glass cracking or breaking. Better safe than sorry.
Film over sensors and cameras
Film never goes over sensors or cameras, because it can make them malfunction. We cut around them. Sensors do get ceramic coated, since a coating doesn't interfere with them.
A coating on top of your film
If you get both, you don't need a coating on top of the film. We install the film first, then coat the rest of the car.

Ceramic coating packages

Every package starts with a full wash, decontamination and machine polish, and includes a glass coating on the windshield and a wheel coating on the faces of your wheels. Warranties require a yearly maintenance visit.

Bronze: $900 car / $1,100 SUV
One protective layer (Ceramic Pro Top Coat). Best for garage-kept cars that are hand-washed and don't see much weather. 2-year warranty.
Silver: $1,200 car / $1,400 SUV
Two layers: a hard base layer (Ceramic Pro 9H) under the Top Coat, for daily drivers. 5-year warranty.
ION: $1,500 car / $1,700 SUV
Ceramic Pro's newer ION base and top layers, which also go on every window, not just the windshield. 7-year warranty.
Ultimate ION: $1,800 car / $2,000 SUV
Everything in ION with an extra base layer for the most durability. Lifetime warranty.

Paint protection film packages

Film goes where rocks and road debris actually hit: the front of the car. Here's what each package covers.

Partial + Front: $1,500 car / $1,700 SUV
The whole hood, the front bumper, the front part of each fender (the painted panels above the front wheels), the headlights, fog lights where the car has them, the backs of the side mirrors, and the door edges and handle areas where keys, rings and car doors cause scratches.
Full Front: $2,000 car / $2,200 SUV
Everything in Partial + Front, but the fenders are covered completely, so there's no visible film edge partway across them.

Film and coating bundles

Most people who get film on the front also want the rest of the car protected. Bundle Full Front film with a ceramic coating and you get 30% off the coating. We install the film first, then coat everything the film doesn't cover, so the whole car is easier to clean and the front is protected from rock chips.

Full Front + Silver: $2,840 car / $3,180 SUV
Silver coating, 5-year warranty.
Full Front + ION: $3,050 car / $3,390 SUV
ION coating on paint and every window, 7-year warranty.
Full Front + Ultimate ION: $3,260 car / $3,600 SUV
Ultimate ION coating, lifetime warranty.

Window tint

Every Tesla model, including Model X and Cybertruck, uses Standard Tint (five windows): the four door windows and the back window. The small fixed windows behind the rear doors are included. The windshield is separate.

Two to Match: $190
Tints just the two front door windows so they match the darker rear glass.
Standard Tint - five windows: $450
Both front door windows, both rear door windows and the back window, plus the small fixed windows next to them. This is the package for every Tesla.
Windshield strip: $100
A band of tint across the top of the windshield to cut glare, cut around Tesla's forward camera using pre-cut software templates.

Interior protection

Car - Model 3, Model S: $360
SUV - Model Y, Model X: $430
Usable third row: $500

Annual Maintenance

A ceramic coating isn't a one-and-done. Once a year, we give it a deep clean and a fresh top layer so it keeps working the way it did on day one. Think of it like the top coat on a manicure or re-waxing skis: the protection is still there without it, just not performing at its best. It's also what keeps your coating warranty in effect. Annual Maintenance is the most common reason Tesla owners visit our shops.

Car - Model 3, Model S: $285
SUV - Model Y, Model X: $335
Usable third row: $385

Washes and detailing

Protection keeps your paint safe; regular care keeps it looking right. Coated Teslas should be hand washed, not run through brush washes.

APC Hand Wash: $100 car / $135 SUV / $165 3rd Row
A careful hand wash and dry, safe for coatings and film. About 2 hours.
Decontamination Wash: $220 car / $270 SUV / $320 3rd Row
A hand wash plus iron decontamination and clay to pull out bonded grime a normal wash leaves behind - the facial for your paint. About 2.5 hours.
Full Exterior Detail: $400 car / $450 SUV / $500 3rd Row
A deep exterior clean and polish to bring back gloss. About 4 hours.
Ceramic Pro Sport: $485 car / $550 SUV / $615 3rd Row
An exterior detail finished with a lighter, shorter-term Ceramic Pro coating - a good step up if you're not ready for a full package. Six-month warranty from Ceramic Pro.
Standard Interior Detail: $165 car / $220 SUV / $275 3rd Row
A thorough interior clean for everyday dirt, dust and spills. About 2 hours.
Full Interior Detail: $330 car / $385 SUV / $460 3rd Row
A deeper interior clean for vehicles that need extra attention - kids, pets, road trips. About 3 hours.
Full-vehicle film pricing
VehicleSTEK GlossSTEK MatteShift Gloss & MetallicShift Matte & LustreShift Iridescent & Color FlipShift Carbon
Model 3$6,500$6,700$6,900$7,000$7,100$7,600
Model S$6,700$6,900$7,100$7,200$7,300$7,800
Model Y (current "Juniper" design)$5,700$5,900$6,200$6,300$6,500$7,000
Model Y (original design)$7,000$7,200$7,500$7,600$7,800$8,400
Model X$7,300$7,500$7,800$7,900$8,100$8,800
Cybertruck$7,400$7,600$7,900$8,000$8,200$8,900

Parts of a Tesla, in plain English

Hood
the panel over the front trunk on a Tesla
Front bumper
the painted front face of the car below the headlights
Fender
the painted panel above each front wheel, between the front bumper and the front door
Mirror caps
the painted backs of the side mirrors
Door edges
the thin edge of each door that can chip against walls and other cars
Rocker panels
the strip along the bottom of the car between the front and rear wheels
A-pillars
the posts on either side of the windshield

What Tesla Owners Say

APC once again, did an amazing job with the Ceramic Pro yearly maintenance on my Plaid Model S and exterior detailing on my performance Model 3. ... While my Cybertruck was parked in my driveway, one of my contractors canopies blew over in the high winds last month and scratched a section of the wrap on it. APC replaced as good as new.

Theresa R., Model S Plaid, Model 3 Performance and Cybertruck owner, Google review

I brought my car into this shop in Monroe with some pretty bad scratches along the side, and I honestly wasn't sure they could be fixed. But wow - they completely buffed them out, and now my car looks brand new!

Kelsey S., Tesla Model Y owner, Google review

From the moment I called everyone was so attentive and answered all my questions! They did a beautiful job with the PPF and am so glad I did it!

Joanie C., Tesla Model Y owner, Google review

APC has done several of our families vehicles and they are A+ in everything they do. They will treat your car just like their own.

John N., Tesla Model Y owner, Google review

Tesla Protection at a Glance

Who it's for
First-time Tesla owners and longtime ones. Plain-English explanations, with the product names and warranties right underneath.
Film
STEK DYNOshield, 10-year manufacturer warranty. Never applied over sensors or cameras - we cut around them.
Coating
Ceramic Pro, one day or less, drive it home the same day. No washing for 7 to 10 days. Not warrantied on stainless steel.
Tint
Ceramic IR in 15%, 25%, 35% and 70%. Saves charge on a parked Tesla by cutting the heat it has to fight.
Interior
Ceramic Pro LUX, so dye transfer and everyday messes wipe off light seats instead of soaking in.
We skip
Windshield protection film and glass roof tint on Teslas (it already has factory heat and UV protection, and film can cause heat stress that cracks the glass).
Maintenance
A yearly visit keeps the coating performing and the warranty in effect: decontamination wash with clay bar and a fresh Top Coat. $285 car, $335 SUV or truck, $385 with a usable third row.
Detailing
Hand washes, decontamination washes, exterior and interior details. Teslas with a usable third row use the 3rd Row price on washes and details.
Pricing
By Tesla's own designation - car, SUV or truck. Full-vehicle film from $5,700. No Tesla or luxury upcharge.
Club discount
Tesla Owners Washington (TOWA) members save 5% (Chill), 10% (Performance) or 15% (Plaid). Show your active membership in the club app at check-in. Discounts can't be combined with membership savings or other offers.
Locations

Where we do this work

Tesla Protection FAQ

Does window tint help a Tesla's range?

It helps your charge last longer. A parked Tesla keeps working: Cabin Overheat Protection uses battery power to keep the cabin from getting too hot, and Dog Mode holds a set temperature while you are away. Think of the car like a cooler - the better it keeps heat out, the less work it takes to stay cool. Ceramic IR tint cuts the heat coming through the glass, so the car spends less charge cooling itself. It also keeps passengers and pets more comfortable while you are parked.

Do I need windshield protection film on my Tesla?

We do not recommend it on a Tesla. Tesla offers windshield coverage, so film on the windshield usually is not money well spent. On other vehicles it often is, which is why we still offer it - just not here.

Will paint protection film interfere with my Tesla's cameras or sensors?

No, because film never goes over sensors or cameras - it can make them malfunction. We cut around them. Sensors do get ceramic coated, since a coating does not interfere with them.

Is a ceramic coating worth it on a Model Y or Model 3?

For most owners, yes, as long as you know what it does. A coating works a lot like a good manicure or the finish on a hardwood floor: hard, glossy and easy to clean, but not armor. Dirt and water do not hold on, so washes are faster, easier and less frequent, which also means less water. What it will not do is stop a rock at highway speed, and rough towels or brush car washes can still scratch it. That is the job film does. Ceramic Pro packages are $900 to $1,800 for a car and $1,100 to $2,000 for an SUV or truck, and every package includes prep and polish.

Can I drive my Tesla right after a ceramic coating?

Yes. Every coating package is done in one day or less and the car goes home the same day. The coating cures over 7 to 10 days, and during that window you can drive it and it can get wet - just do not wash it.

Do I need a ceramic coating if I already have PPF?

You do not need a coating on top of the film. If you are getting both, we install the film first, then coat the rest of the car. On Full Front film, adding a coating saves 30% on the coating: Silver is $2,840, ION is $3,050 and Ultimate ION is $3,260 for a car.

Is a Model Y priced as a car or an SUV?

As an SUV. We price by Tesla's own designation: Model 3 and Model S are cars, Model Y and Model X are SUVs, and Cybertruck is a truck. Coatings and film are priced by that designation only, with no Tesla or luxury upcharge - listed prices are the same for any vehicle in the category.

Why does a seven-seat Model Y or Model X cost more for washes and details but not for coatings or film?

Because those services scale with seats and length, not with paint. Washes, details, Ceramic Pro LUX and memberships account for a usable third row, since there are more seats to clean and the vehicle is longer, so a Model Y or Model X with third-row seats uses the 3rd Row rate. Coatings and film are priced by Tesla's designation alone.

Can you coat or film a Cybertruck?

Film yes, coating with a caveat. Cybertruck's body is unpainted stainless steel, so it is a different conversation: ceramic coatings on stainless steel are not covered by warranty. Film is available, including colored and STEK matte film if you want to change the look, and full-vehicle film on a Cybertruck starts at $7,400 in clear STEK DYNOshield.

How do I keep white Tesla seats from staining?

Coat them. Dark dye rubs off new jeans, black yoga pants and other dark clothes onto light seats, and we see it on Teslas in our shops all the time. Ceramic Pro LUX adds a protective layer so dye, spills and everyday messes wipe up with a baby wipe instead of soaking in. It is $360 for a car, $430 for an SUV and $500 for a vehicle with a usable third row.

Should I buy protection when I buy the car, or choose my own installer?

Some protection can be bought online or at purchase and installed later by whichever participating shop is on the list. It is convenient, but it is worth knowing the trade-offs: coverage is picked from a menu before anyone has seen how you drive; your choice of installer is limited to the list; you cannot mix and match products, like film on the front, a coating everywhere, and tint from a different maker; the consultation happens after you have paid, so changing coverage means working backward; and if something goes wrong, there are more companies between you and a fix. If protection is added to a vehicle loan, you also pay interest on it. Picking your installer first means the people who do the work are the people you talk to before, during and after.

Can you tint the windshield strip without blocking the camera?

Yes. We tint a windshield strip cut around Tesla's forward camera using pre-cut software templates. The strip is $100.

Do you tint the Tesla glass roof?

No. The glass roof already comes from the factory with heat and UV protection built in, and adding film to a large glass panel can cause heat stress that leads to the glass cracking or breaking. Better safe than sorry.

Why does a new Tesla need a decontamination wash before coating?

Even a brand-new Tesla arrives dirty: rail dust from shipping, road grime from the trip, and adhesive left behind by the delivery wrap. Some of it bonds to the paint and a normal wash will not lift it. A coating locks in whatever is underneath it, so every coating package starts with a full hand wash, iron decontamination, clay bar treatment and a single stage machine polish.

Do members get a discount?

Yes. Members save up to 15% on other services, depending on membership level. Discounts can't be combined with membership savings or other offers.

Does my Tesla's ceramic coating need maintenance?

Yes. Once a year we give the coating a deep clean and a fresh top layer so it keeps working the way it did on day one, and that yearly visit is what keeps your coating warranty in effect. It includes a full decontamination wash with clay bar, a fresh hydrophobic Top Coat and a windshield recoat on request. Annual Maintenance is $285 for a car, $335 for an SUV or truck, and $385 for a vehicle with a usable third row. Protected Membership accrues Annual Maintenance credits monthly, includes APC Hand Washes and gives members 15% off eligible other services. Discounts can't be combined with membership savings or other offers.

Do you wash and detail Teslas?

Yes. Coated Teslas should be hand washed, not run through brush washes. For a car, an APC Hand Wash is $100, a Decontamination Wash is $220, a Full Exterior Detail is $400, Ceramic Pro Sport is $485, a Standard Interior Detail is $165 and a Full Interior Detail is $330. SUVs and vehicles with a usable third row use their listed prices, so a Model Y or Model X with usable third-row seats uses the 3rd Row price on washes and details.

Do Tesla owners club members get a discount?

Yes. APC is the Title Sponsor of Tesla Owners Washington (TOWA), and TOWA members save 5% at Chill level, 10% at Performance level and 15% at Plaid level. Show your active membership in the club app at check-in - a badge or a screenshot of the membership card is not accepted. Discounts can't be combined with membership savings or other offers.

Get a Tesla Quote or schedule online. Call (425) 818-2820.