My Tesla came out of Kiwi's wash with chipped paint. Kiwi's answer: a pump manual, a Google search, and a lawsuit in Canada. Other customers report the same treatment.
Before you buy a monthly membership, see what other customers went through and find brushless car washes near Port St. Lucie.
2021 Tesla Model 3 Performance
BEFORE
AFTERMy case plus four public 1-star Google reviews for the Gatlin Blvd location, checked October 15, 2026.
Chipped paint on the lower passenger side of my 2021 Tesla Model 3, found right after the wash and reported before I left. Repair estimate: $645.31.
Kiwi's answer: "Manufacturer defect." Proof: a Google search and a class action in Canada. Read it →
Paint chip on a two-month-old Tesla after a wash with his monthly membership.
"claiming the chip 'could be' a factory paint defect and telling me to go file a warranty claim with Tesla."
Outcome reported: Claim denied. He calls it "a canned denial letter."
Several paint chips on a 2025 Toyota. Says the only way to avoid damage is hand wash and wax.
Kiwi's reply: Newer factory paint, especially black, "can be highly sensitive," and daily driving causes chips. Says its system is "strictly calibrated."
Says the wash tore the fin off her car.
"Said they would give us a call about covering it and never did."
"Worst car wash ever." Warns others not to go unless they want their car damaged.
"...and be treated like second class."
About management: She describes the manager's attitude as the worst part of her visit.
Reviewer names shortened for privacy. Quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews and owner replies. See all reviews on Google →
After I sent a certified demand letter, Kiwi Car Wash Gatlin emailed what it called its "last communication on this matter." Instead of anyone inspecting my car, here's what they sent me as "proof."
Raymond W. says Kiwi told him his two-month-old Tesla's chip "could be" a factory defect and to file a warranty claim with Tesla.
Zach got a public reply blaming "newer factory paint finishes" and "daily driving."
April F. says Kiwi promised to call about covering her torn-off fin and never did.
My verdict: I don't recommend Kiwi Car Wash. When a car comes out damaged, Kiwi points at the manufacturer, a lawsuit in Canada, and a Google search. You pay for the repair. Choose a touchless or hand wash instead.
Nothing spinning against your paint, no conveyor, no guide rails grabbing your wheels. If you care about your car's finish, these are the options I recommend in and around Port St. Lucie.
Hand wash and detailing. Customers mention a veterans discount.
Directions →Hand detailing at their shop or at your home.
Directions →Brushless automatic wash, open 24 hours. About 20 minutes south.
Directions →Touchless automatic plus self-serve bays, open 24 hours.
Directions →Self-serve bays where you control the wand. Large bays fit trucks and RVs.
Directions →One bucket of soapy water, one for rinsing the mitt, and a clean microfiber towel to dry.
Tunnel washes like Kiwi drag cloth and foam across your car. Touchless and hand washes don't. Here's how they compare.
| Wash type | How it works | Contact with paint | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tunnel / friction wash | A conveyor pulls the car past spinning brushes or cloth, then high-pressure jets and blowers. | High: cloth or foam touches the car | Fast and cheap, often sold as unlimited memberships. Lower trim, wheels and mirrors take the most contact. |
| Touchless automatic | Only high-pressure water and detergents. No brushes. | None from brushes | Less risk of swirl marks. May not remove heavy grime, and uses stronger chemicals. |
| Self-serve bay | You control the pressure wand yourself. | Only what you choose | Skip the bay's foam brush, which may hold grit from other vehicles. |
| Hand wash / detailing | People wash by hand with mitts and towels. | Gentle, by hand | Usually the gentlest option when done with clean mitts. Costs more and takes longer. |
Same spot, same day: before and after the wash. Tap any photo to see it full screen.
BEFOREAFTERImage integrity: Photos have not been edited to change the appearance or severity of the damage. They were resized for faster loading. The "before" photo is cropped to the same area. Original files are kept unedited.
What I learned from my claim. This is general information, not legal advice.
No. This is an independent website created by one customer to document a personal experience. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Kiwi Car Wash.
Yes. Recent 1-star Google reviews describe paint chips on a Tesla and a Toyota, a fin torn off a car, and other damage. See the Customer Reports section for summaries and a link to the originals.
The location on Gatlin Boulevard in Port St. Lucie, Florida. I can only speak about my own visit on September 24, 2026.
Not as of the last update on this page. The company denied responsibility. Any change will be posted here.
That's Kiwi's excuse. To back it up, Kiwi sent me a Google search, a VIN chart and a news link about a class action in Canada. No inspection of my car. My paint was fine that morning and chipped right after their wash.
They avoid brush and cloth contact, which reduces the risk of swirl marks and scratches. Nothing rubs against your car, so there's nothing to drag dirt across the clear coat or catch on trim and parts.
See the alternatives list above. It includes hand wash, mobile detailing, touchless and self-serve options in Port St. Lucie, Stuart and Fort Pierce.
Use the Share Your Story form on this page. I review every submission, and with your permission I may add verified stories using only your first name.
Yes. Truthful statements and honest opinions about a business are protected by the First Amendment and the Florida Constitution, and federal law voids contract clauses that try to block honest reviews. See the Free Speech section for the specific laws.
Yes. If your car was damaged at Kiwi, post an honest review on Google so other drivers know, and send me your story through the Share Your Story form.
Car wash damage claims, touchless vs. tunnel washes, Tesla paint, and your rights as a consumer.
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This site was created by an individual customer to document a personal experience with the Kiwi Car Wash location on Gatlin Boulevard in Port St. Lucie, Florida. It is consumer commentary, not an official company website.
I built it after my car came out of Kiwi's wash with chipped paint and Kiwi denied my claim, so other drivers in Port St. Lucie can see what customers report and choose a safer touchless or hand wash instead.
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