2021 Tesla Touch Up Paint (11 OEM Colors)

The 2021 Tesla Vibe

Welcome to 2021-the year the silent revolution officially took over the carpool lane. While the rest of the world was dealing with supply chains and sourdough starters, Tesla was busy pumping out Model 3s and Ys like they were smartphones on wheels. Our database tracks 11 distinct shades from this era, ranging from the ever-popular Midnight Silver and Deep Blue Pearl to the rare, deep luster of Signature Red Tricoat. It was a time of "digital minimalism," where the cars had no buttons and the color palette was designed to look just as sleek under a neon charging station as it did in a suburban driveway.

Paint Health Check

Now, let's talk shop. We're firmly in the Thin Paint Era. Back in the day, you could practically sand a car with a brick and still have clear coat left; in 2021, the robots at the factory were programmed for "maximum efficiency." This means the factory enamel is applied with a stingy hand. If you own a 2021 in Jet Black or Steel Grey, you've likely noticed that looking at the hood too hard can cause a rock chip. Between the thin clear coat and the aerodynamic "nose" of these cars that acts like a pebble magnet, most of these daily drivers are sporting a "salt and pepper" look on the front bumper by now. The clear is high-gloss and beautiful, but it's brittle and lacks the "meat" of older finishes.

Restoration Tip

When you're touching up a 2021 finish, remember: build layers slowly and don't blob it. Because the factory paint is so thin, a giant drop of touch-up paint will sit on the surface like a mountain on a pancake. Instead of trying to fill a chip in one shot, apply a thin "skin" of color, let it tack up, and repeat until you're level with the surrounding clear coat. This era of paint doesn't like heavy-handed repairs; patience is the only way to make those White Water Pearl or Sunset Red panels look factory-fresh again.