Home› Model 3

Model 3

How do you close your rear trunk without damaging the paint?

katerina_98605736katerina_98605736
edited November -1 in Model 3
Hi,
An old Model 3 showed up at work the other day driven by a musician with rings on his fingers and the edge of his trunk's paint was all scratched up (all the way through the paint to the white undercoat beneath his black outer paint) from him closing his trunk and scratching the paint (with his rings, most likely). I noticed that I'm starting to scratch the paint a bit on my trunk edge from closing the trunk as well once the car starts to get dirty and my hands try to close the trunk by pushing down hard on the edge of the trunk.

I've tried closing by pushing down on the metal license plate frame, but that started to bend. Then I tried using the plastic handles inside the trunk, but that requires quite a crazy maneuver of pulling your whole body down and trying to get enough momentum going to have the trunk slam shut.

What approach do you use to close your trunk in order to cause the least amount of damage to the car?

Thanks!

Katerina
«13

Comments

  • lilbeanlilbean
    edited January 2020
    This is how I do it and I’m lil. My Pilates instructor does call me tiny but mighty though.
  • gballant4570_98238076gballant4570_98238076
    edited January 2020
    Use the inside handles. I don't put my hand on the trunk lid due to finger/hand prints, but a lot of rings would be an other reason. Just close it using the inside hand holds.
  • gballant4570_98238076gballant4570_98238076
    edited November -1
    "An old Model 3 showed up......."

    An OLD Model 3? It was just yesterday we were all waiting to get one.....
  • yudansha™yudansha™
    edited January 2020
    Get a spoiler or follow the video above.
  • EAPmeEAPme
    edited January 2020
    Excellent question and wondered the same.

    I used lilbean's method for the past year or so until my wife showed me her way of closing the trunk w/o touching the paint. Women are smarter and more resourceful, what you can do...

    step 1: Pull the trunk down from the inside handle until it's about 1ft from closing. Easy motion.
    step 2: Push down on the license plate itself (not the frame) to complete close the trunk. I tend to just use a few fingers since I don't have to worry about scratching the plate. Takes only a few pounds of force to send it home/closed.

    Try it out.
  • jamilworm_98037331jamilworm_98037331
    edited November -1
    I just pull from the outer edge with my fingertips (or like the last 2 segments of each finger), so my wedding ring doesn't come in contact with the paint. There is not that much resistance so I don't think you need to wrap your whole hand around the top edge.
  • driftdrift
    edited January 2020
    Add the handle that goes below the bottom of the license plate that is available from one of the after market sellers or add the electric soft close system. I started with the first option and have since added the second.
  • AtomsAtoms
    edited November -1
    You can buy a bracket which goes under the license plate. It creates a lip to pull down on. Works great for me.
  • SpuzzzSpuzzz
    edited January 2020
    Yes lilbean schooled me on this one a year ago been using it ever since. The simplest solutions are often the most elegant
  • SpuzzzSpuzzz
    edited January 2020
    Oops sorry lilbean, just watched your vid....that is not my method. Seems like a lot of effort tho...so why not just use the license plate method?
  • kevin_rfkevin_rf
    edited November -1
    You could just not wear your ring.... Your significant other will understand that not scratching the paint is more important :-)

    That said, mines got buried somewhere in the yard while installing the dog's invisible fence.
  • ODWmsODWms
    edited January 2020
    I’ve been using the license plate since day one. Zero problems.
  • edwardjstewart_98584332edwardjstewart_98584332
    edited January 2020
    Ditto on the license plate - minimal finger prints on the car, no risk of scratches. Although I understand shorter folks may not be able to reach it.
  • Gordon87Gordon87
    edited November -1
    I bought this bracket on Amazon. Very easy to install and to use.

    Cruiser Accessories Clear wi. Handle 1 Mount 79001 Tuf Trunk Grip
  • NorthValleyNorthValley
    edited January 2020
    So my choices are: a couple of prints on the lip, a 2-step license plate maneuver or the angry person method where I slam down the trunk? I'll go for the prints!
  • 82bert82bert
    edited January 2020
    As mentioned earlier. I always grab one of the 2 inside handles and pull down to close. Never touch outside paint.
  • Pg3ibew_98243162Pg3ibew_98243162
    edited January 2020
    I close the trunk like I have closed every other trunk on every other car I have ever owned. Never had an issue with scratching the car.
  • WW_IсefreeWW_Iсefree
    edited November -1
    I heard Subaru doesn't have this problem! So unsafe. And terrible thin paint... Bahahah
  • rasinas_98222018rasinas_98222018
    edited January 2020
    We close it by using the license plate. Easy enough to pull down and close it.
  • WW_IсefreeWW_Iсefree
    edited January 2020
    By the way getting close to 2k on model 3 and my wife twice already cought debris to the front on interstate. At this point I think she will destroy paint all over by first 10k :( oh well
  • hokiegir1hokiegir1
    edited January 2020
    +1 @NorthValley. I use mu fingertips on the bottom edge of the lid to mostly close it, then just press a bit from the top to latch it.

    If you are *really* that concerned, there's a $900 aftermarket "auto" kit that opens and closes it from the app.

    I have more issues with my watch band hitting when I'm closing the frunk than I do with the trunk at all.
  • kevin_rfkevin_rf
    edited November -1
    WW_spd, regretting not getting a front wrap. Recently took a bunch of rocks to the front on 495. (Yeah I was in the left lame)

    That said, I've been thinking about a few small sheets of the stuff for the drivers door. The puppy with long nails loves to jump up on it. Maybe do the same to the trunk... Or a "My other car is a Tesla" bumper sticker to grab?
  • NorthValleyNorthValley
    edited January 2020
    @hokiegirl1....I'm not concerned at all! I was just teasing the people who are seemingly abhorred by the thought of touching the paintwork! I just grab the trunk with my hand and pull down then hand on top of trunk to press it shut! Holding license plates or slamming the trunk with the interior handle 9as per video) or buying something to avoid having to put my hand on the trunk itself just tickled me a little!
  • hokiegir1hokiegir1
    edited November -1
    @NV - Sorry -- the first paragraph was toward you -- the rest was in general to the thread. :)
  • CharleyBCCharleyBC
    edited January 2020
    Kinda like hokiegir1, I pull it most of the way closed with the inside handle, and then use the edge of my hand (the fleshy bit about halfway between the base of the pinkie and the wrist) to push it closed gently. I press on the corner where a spoiler would be if I had one. I figure the side of my hand won't leave oily fingerprints, and the corner is smaller contact than the flat part on top. Based on no scientific analysis. But I think I'll try the license plate thing some of you have mentioned--I hadn't thought of that. I don't think I'm elegant enough to do lilbean's method consistently!
Sign In or Register to comment.