2009 Tesla Touch Up Paint (7 OEM Colors)

The 2009 Tesla Vibe

Back in 2009, Tesla wasn't a household name; it was a Silicon Valley science experiment with a Lotus chassis and a point to prove. While the rest of the world was beige-ing itself to death with "safe" silver sedans, the original Roadster was out here sporting Signature Red Tricoat and Pacific Blue Metallic. With 7 colors in our database for this year, it's clear they were trying to make a statement. Whether you're rocking the earth-toned Sycamore Brown Metallic or the forest-deep Sequoia Green Metallic, these cars were designed to be seen-usually while they were silently outrunning everything else on the road.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the Thin Paint Era. By 2009, the industry had perfected "robot efficiency," which is a polite way of saying they learned exactly how little paint they could spray without the car looking naked. These early Teslas were hand-assembled but fell victim to the modern trend of thin, high-solids clear coats. Because these cars sit roughly three inches off the asphalt, that thin clear coat takes a beating. If you look at your hood and see more "peppering" than a steak au poivre, you've got the classic 2009 chip problem. The clear isn't necessarily peeling off in sheets like a 90s wreck, but it's brittle and lacks the "meat" to absorb road debris.

Restoration Tip

When you're touching up a 2009 finish, remember: Build layers slowly; don't blob it. Since factory paint from this era is notably thin, a giant glob of touch-up will stick out like a sore thumb. This is especially true for those Tricoats (Signature and Sunset Red)-the depth comes from the layers, not the volume. Apply your base thin, let it tack up, and if you're working on a metallic like Twilight Blue, keep your coats light to ensure the flake doesn't "clump" and look like a dark spot. Patience is your best friend; you're a painter, not a cake decorator.