Tesla Model S detailing in Houston

What we watch for

Paint and interior on the Model S

Paint and exterior

Early cars have had a decade of Texas sun and car washes, so oxidation on the roof and swirls on the hood are common. The large liftback is one big panel to polish, and the door handles retract, so they are cleaned in the presented position.

Interior

Early cars have real leather or textile seats, later ones synthetic. The yoke on 2021 and newer cars and the big central screen collect hand oils and need regular gentle cleaning.

Living in Houston

Plenty of older Model S cars around Memorial and Sugar Land have spent years parked outside: a correction plus a coating brings back the gloss and keeps the next decade of sun off it.

• Soft clear coat: it marks from a dirty towel or an automatic wash, so every wash is two-bucket with clean mitts, and polishing finishes down with a fine pad.
• Black and dark colors are common: they show swirls, water spots and pollen film first, and benefit most from a coating.
• Large glass roof: Houston water leaves mineral spots on it, so it is cleaned inside and out and suits the glass coating add-on.
• Large touchscreens: cleaned with a screen-safe, ammonia-free product and a dedicated cloth.
• Electric: there is no engine bay, but the frunk, charge port door and underbody plastics get cleaned, and washing an EV is completely safe.