[GDN]

Picked up Niko on June 9, 800 days after reservation at the Dallas SC. Midnight silver, PUP, sport wheels, EAP. What a car !

Will track his fun in this thread. Elon got this one right.

I realize Niko isn't unique, but he was named almost 5 months before he arrived ! Custom plates waiting on him to arrive.

His first sighting - held behind ropes !!!

Going to come back and keep my SW updates in post 1. They are too strung out to find.

Ordered 4/19, Built on 5/25, Delivered on June 9
2018.21.9 - 6/12/18
26.1 - 7/20/2018
28.2 - 8/8/2018
32.2 - 8/23/18
34.1 - 9/11/18
36.2 - 9/20/18
39.7 - 10/13/18 v9
42.2 - 10/31/18
42.4 - 11/2/18
46.2 - 12/6/18
48.12.1 - 12/19/18 - added "Keep Climate On - Camper Mode", Romance Mode/Fireplace, Emissions/Fart machine, Pole Position
50.6 - 1/22/2019 - Cold weather tweak/update for 50.5 (which was never on this car), came straight from 48.12.1
2019.5.15 - 3/11/2019 - First release in a long time. Range didn't change - started update with 236 mi, ended update with 236.
This should be adding Sentry Mode, Dog Mode, Blind Spot, Location Folding Mirrors.
8.2 - 3/16/2019
8.3 - 3/23/2019
8.5 - 4/4/2019
12.1.1 - 4/30/2019
12.1.2 - 5/2/2019
16.2 - 5/22/2019

November 20, 2018
Big update to the household, we added Silent Thunder to the stable. LR AWD, Black with White PUP interior, sport wheels and EAP. Wasn't sure I was going to like the white interior, but man does it pop. Very nice, at least while new. He is on the left (like it really matters). Could have been a record - 4 black cars in for delivery all at once.

SW Tracker for Silent Thunder
Ordered on November 4, built on November 7, Delivered on November 20

2018.42.4 - 11/20/2018 - delivered with this version
44.1 - 11/20/2018 - waiting to be updated at delivery
46.2 - 12/3/2018
48.1 - 12/13/2018 - added Pin to drive
48.12.1 - 12/18/2018
50.6 - 1/22/2019 - received same night as on Niko. Cold weather updates
2019.5.15 - 3/11/2019
8.2 - 3/16/2019
2019.8.3 - 3/23/2019
8.5 - 4/4/2019
12.1.1 - 4/30/2019
12.1.2 - 5/2/2019
16.2 - 5/22/2019 - New larger car graphic on the left
20.1. - 6/12/2019
20.2.1 - 6/19/2019
20.4.1 - 6/23/2019 - Beach Buggy
20.4.2 - 6/25/2019 - Bug fixes

 

[SoFlaModel3]

Welcome to team Midnight Silver and congrats!!!!

 

[GDN]

Welcome to team Midnight Silver and congrats!!!!

Thank you. It's been so fascinating reading and participating in these forums for several months, it really surreal to be honest with you. What a car !

 

[GDN]

Day 3 - Niko's big bother, the crewcab pickup, got his quartz coating this morning (I've been calling it ceramic - and just realized this one is quartz.). It was highly rated but don't know if one is better than the other. At the end of the day - they all may be snake oil for all I know at this point.) Started the process last Friday. I spent about 6 hours claybaring and polishing the pickup. Gave it a good rinse this morning and went over it with some detail spray. Then took about 2 hours to put the Gyeon Mohs quartz on it. It looks good. Will try for a couple of pics in a bit.

Time to start Niko - will be a quick wash and clay bar, which I suspect will likely pick nothing up, but everyone says to do it. Then polish and quartz for him too - but that will likely be tomorrow after work by the time that goes on.

What I can say right now, is none of this process is hard, and if I can do it, likely anyone can by reading a few articles and watching some video. I figure my job will be as good as 97% of what I'd pay someone else to do it. I can't justify spending several thousand, although if these coatings really protect and make him shine like claimed, then I'll get him the best job I can at home.

 

[GDN]

Forgot - also got him an appointment for tint this weekend. Saturday morning. Thanks @LUXMAN for the recommendation.

 

[LUXMAN]

Forgot - also got him an appointment for tint this weekend. Saturday morning. Thanks @LUXMAN for the recommendation.

Cool deal. What time is your appt? I would come up and meet ya as it is not far from me, but I gotta go to Tyler in the AM for camp pickup.

 

[GDN]

Cool deal. What time is your appt? I would come up and meet ya as it is not far from me, but I gotta go to Tyler in the AM for camp pickup.

Will be up there at 10 AM. They really wanted me to drop it off and leave it so they could work on it through the day, but told them I was driving almost 45 minutes one way and would be nice if they could just get us in and out. He said he'd have 4 guys in that morning and he'd be glad to jump on it and get it done since I was coming so far to let them do the job.

If you are around - would be nice to say hello.

 

[Quicksilver]

@GDN, watch out for the crazy traffic on I35. Especially trucks spilling stuff all over the road.

 

[GDN]

Well - I'm a bit tired. Not near as active these years and a full day of detailing Friday on the truck - wash, clay bar and full polish with a dual action polisher and then another full day of it today - started with a light wash on the truck, from there it was the Gyeon Mohs action. The coating seems very straight forward and easy. The prep is likely the more critical part.

This truck is a 2014 that sat on the lot for 15 months before I bought it, so I'm sure it didn't have much love there and unfortunately due to a house remodel and an old jeep that has come along, it has never been able to spend a single night in the garage, it sits out every night. This is the first love it's really ever had. The clay bar and the polishing really made it smooth to the feel and took care of any issues I could see in the paint. The Gyeon coating has really brought it to life. The paint is Tuxedo Black from Ford with red and green flakes in it - they really shine and pop. I've got 6 or 7 pin head paint chips from the miles it's been driven, but really good overall.

It took about 2 hours to coat using the included applicator and suede cloth. I applied one section at a time, gave it just a minute and then wiped off using 2 cloths. I'm very pleased with this so far. The true test will come in time, after a rain to see how it beads and holds up, but here are a couple of pictures, the second is most impressive as the house is a reflection off of the truck.

 

[Quicksilver]

Well - I'm a bit tired. Not near as active these years and a full day of detailing Friday on the truck - wash, clay bar and full polish with a dual action polisher and then another full day of it today - started with a light wash on the truck, from there it was the Gyeon Mohs action. The coating seems very straight forward and easy. The prep is likely the more critical part.

This truck is a 2014 that sat on the lot for 15 months before I bought it, so I'm sure it didn't have much love there and unfortunately due to a house remodel and an old jeep that has come along, it has never been able to spend a single night in the garage, it sits out every night. This is the first love it's really ever had. The clay bar and the polishing really made it smooth to the feel and took care of any issues I could see in the paint. The Gyeon coating has really brought it to life. The paint is Tuxedo Black from Ford with red and green flakes in it - they really shine and pop. I've got 6 or 7 pin head paint chips from the miles it's been driven, but really good overall.

It took about 2 hours to coat using the included applicator and suede cloth. I applied one section at a time, gave it just a minute and then wiped off using 2 cloths. I'm very pleased with this so far. The true test will come in time, after a rain to see how it beads and holds up, but here are a couple of pictures, the second is most impressive as the house is a reflection off of the truck.

View attachment 10077
View attachment 10078

Beautiful Job! I am sure you Model 3 will look great if you pamper it like the truck.

 

[GDN]

So it truly was a busy day. After the truck was done I worked on the car. Washed with some Dawn to take off any wax if it had any, clay bar and light polish in just a spot or two. This car didn't need any major paint work. I really would like to see a professional and what he claims he is doing for all of the paint correction on these cars. Either the novice eye truly doesn't see it or there is a lot of bunk being sold out there. I did ask the SC not to do any detailing on the car before delivery so maybe I was spared and most do end up with some bad things being done to them. I had a great time spending several hours with the car and going over it inch by inch. It took about an hour and a half to get the coating on it.

I did find one spot about one inch by one inch on the right fender where it looks like it might have had a tie down rub on it or something. I don't think it is worth taking in as I'm afraid of it could end up much worse and this really isn't noticeable.

The garage is pretty small and just not enough room or the right light to get a good pic, but here is the car after it's work and coating of Gyeon Mohs quartz. Hope to get a couple more pics later this week and Saturday after tint.

 

[GDN]

Beautiful Job! I am sure you Model 3 will look great if you pamper it like the truck.

Thanks - unfortunately the truck hasn't been pampered, more like abuse honestly over 2.5 years. Many projects, the remodel are wrapped up, so finally some time to take care of it and the car as well. Hope to do this every year or so and take care of them both. The truck before this one I had for 13 years and 170,000 miles, so plan on keeping this one just as long.

 

[GDN]

I forgot to ask on Saturday when picking up the car, so I called today and just found out the car was built on May 25, 2018. That was the same day they assigned the VIN and I heard from my ISA. I really figured this car had been built and was sitting somewhere for a few weeks at least.

From an article I just googled, May 25 was the last day before the factory shut down. I'll miss out on any improvements they might have made during that time frame, but am very happy with the way this car has turned out.

Seems it takes a couple of weeks for a car to reach someone's hands after it is built, at least in TX, so I figure it will be a few more days to find anyone with a car that was built post May shutdown and learn of any changes or improvements.

 

[LUXMAN]

I forgot to ask on Saturday when picking up the car, so I called today and just found out the car was built on May 25, 2018. That was the same day they assigned the VIN and I heard from my ISA. I really figured this car had been built and was sitting somewhere for a few weeks at least.

From an article I just googled, May 25 was the last day before the factory shut down. I'll miss out on any improvements they might have made during that time frame, but am very happy with the way this car has turned out.

Seems it takes a couple of weeks for a car to reach someone's hands after it is built, at least in TX, so I figure it will be a few more days to find anyone with a car that was built post May shutdown and learn of any changes or improvements.

So do you think you have Gen 2 seats then? I would assume so.

 

[GDN]

So do you think you have Gen 2 seats then? I would assume so.

From all accounts I would have to say I definitely do. Have not tried folding the rear seats or comparing to the pictures. I'll do that tonight and cofirm. Also need to find the picture of the added trim in the truck. I would think that is also there, but not confirmed.

 

[LUXMAN]

From all accounts I would have to say I definitely do. Have not tried folding the rear seats or comparing to the pictures. I'll do that tonight and cofirm. Also need to find the picture of the added trim in the truck. I would think that is also there, but not confirmed.

TRIM?

 

[GDN]

TRIM?

Documented in this post a couple of weeks back. Model 3 Delivery Checklist

 

[LUXMAN]

Documented in this post a couple of weeks back. Model 3 Delivery Checklist

Whoa! Thanks. I will have to look at mine. I would have to beg mobile service to bring one of those when they come to fix my seat trim as I assume I dont have it.

 

[GDN]

Just for Niko's documentation - got SW 2018.21.9 tonight - 8 PM.

 

[GDN]

TRIM?

I did confirm Gen 2 seats and the trim piece is installed. I think it would be pretty obvious and bare without that trim piece. If you don't have it, I don't see how Tesla could deny installing that for you for nothing.