Maaco paint shops
#2
Team Owner
You get what you pay for. Paint job for a beater daily driver? That would be fine. Corvette paint job that looks as good as factory? Go to a reputable paint shop.
#3
If you want a quality paint job, you're likely going to pay more than the car is worth for it. Mine was painted by Maaco for 1100 by the previous owner with a minor amount of flaws, most of which will come out when I wet sand and buff it when I get the chance. My buddy paid 5,000 to get his Commemorative edition C4 painted. His paint is the same quality as mine. He also has another C4, which he had painted by Maaco for 700, which looks pretty good except for a few flaws. My father helped a friend restore a 67 Coronet, also painted by Maaco for 700. That one surprisingly had 0 flaws.
The key to a good Maaco paint job is to do the prepping yourself. I think they are only allowed to use 1 1/2 scuff pads on the whole car. One thing you have to remember about Maaco, they paint all day every day. So they have a good amount of experience when it comes to painting.
I'd also recommend taping up the car yourself too.
You can also purchase a higher quality preparation from Maaco if you choose to do so, and different painting methods.
The key to a good Maaco paint job is to do the prepping yourself. I think they are only allowed to use 1 1/2 scuff pads on the whole car. One thing you have to remember about Maaco, they paint all day every day. So they have a good amount of experience when it comes to painting.
I'd also recommend taping up the car yourself too.
You can also purchase a higher quality preparation from Maaco if you choose to do so, and different painting methods.
#4
Melting Slicks
I've often considered this. I have painted a camaro before but it makes a mess. The new paints aren't good for you or the environment (unless waterbased maybe). My point is that I don't have a paint booth. Can you paint in a garage or shop, yep, done it. I would love to do the body work then trailer it to Maaco and have them shoot it. I'll even buy the darn paint. I was pricing paint guns lately and you can have Maaco shoot it for the price of a good Sata gun.
#5
Drifting
If you want a quality paint job, you're likely going to pay more than the car is worth for it. Mine was painted by Maaco for 1100 by the previous owner with a minor amount of flaws, most of which will come out when I wet sand and buff it when I get the chance. My buddy paid 5,000 to get his Commemorative edition C4 painted. His paint is the same quality as mine. He also has another C4, which he had painted by Maaco for 700, which looks pretty good except for a few flaws. My father helped a friend restore a 67 Coronet, also painted by Maaco for 700. That one surprisingly had 0 flaws.
The key to a good Maaco paint job is to do the prepping yourself. I think they are only allowed to use 1 1/2 scuff pads on the whole car. One thing you have to remember about Maaco, they paint all day every day. So they have a good amount of experience when it comes to painting.
I'd also recommend taping up the car yourself too.
You can also purchase a higher quality preparation from Maaco if you choose to do so, and different painting methods.
The key to a good Maaco paint job is to do the prepping yourself. I think they are only allowed to use 1 1/2 scuff pads on the whole car. One thing you have to remember about Maaco, they paint all day every day. So they have a good amount of experience when it comes to painting.
I'd also recommend taping up the car yourself too.
You can also purchase a higher quality preparation from Maaco if you choose to do so, and different painting methods.
#6
Race Director
MAACO is pretty good for the money. It depends upon the painter they have (or shows up for work:*****) Look at the cars they've just shot. Make sure you get the full base coat/clearcoat, and not the "integral clear", which is just single stage with hardner/gloss additive. Prepping yourself is a good idea, concentrate on the crevices and areas that are hard to get to (they tend to get skipped over by the $8/hr preppers). As far as paint guns, Harbor Freight has some pretty good cheap guns ($15-$40) that work just fine unless you are a pro painter...most amateurs would never know the difference. Yeah, they are throw-aways, but you'll spend that much in masking tape and paper.
#7
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Athens AL
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C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Not for a corvette, no way.
Cheap paint job for a DD, yeah maybe again if I had to. I used them on a 4Runner and the prep work was nonexistent, so it looked cheap and started to peel after about a year.
Cheap paint job for a DD, yeah maybe again if I had to. I used them on a 4Runner and the prep work was nonexistent, so it looked cheap and started to peel after about a year.
#8
Burning Brakes
It all depends. I had the local Maaco paint my 07 coupe and they did an awesome job for ~$1000. Now I have to say that I have known the owner for years, used to work with him in the Navy, and he has a Viper that he SCCA races locally. I would let his shop paint any of my vehicles, except my CVO Road King. That's only because of the fusion grind / marbilized scheme would difficult to duplicate.
#9
Le Mans Master
#11
Drifting
Prep is like 90% of a good paint job so if you do that part yourself and do a good job at it I could see where a Maaco paint job could turn out pretty good.
#15
Instructor
Maaco shops vary from city to city. I have had several cars painted at the local Maaco and have recommended them to others. Very good quality for the money. Don't know how they would do on a Corvette. For what many of our cars are worth, it might not be a bad option if you know that the shop is good.
#16
Drifting
ask to take a peep into the shop and see the cars they just painted.
I've had them paint some rear spoilers and wheels in the past. It was an ok job, couldn't beat the price.
I've had them paint some rear spoilers and wheels in the past. It was an ok job, couldn't beat the price.
#17
Melting Slicks
I've had Maaco do 4 or 5 cars over the years, You do the prep and get the best paint job they offer ( not the one stage enamel). Here is my DD after 3 years of no garage also. Never been waxed. Couple of flaws, but the reality is, 2 months after it was painted, some lady backed out of a parking space and hit the bumper. Said she didn't see the car. Maybe I needed a brighter color! I wasn't really upset, but I sure would have been if I had spent $5k on paint. All depends on what you are going to do with the car, trailer queen to shows, then spend the money, drive the hell out of it, do the prep and let Maaco do the paint. Just mask off anything that can't be removed!
#19
Racer
I got a question for you guys. Should I put in my new interior first or get it painted with it out of the car? I'm going to have it painted the exact OEM color on a Admiiral Blue 1994 LT1
I would like at the minimum take off the following in addition:
1. The rear bumper.
2. Left and right mirror.
3. Emblems.
4. Headlights.
5. Center molding on the doors. Not sure what else is viable on the rest of car.
Or what would you guys skip?
I would like at the minimum take off the following in addition:
1. The rear bumper.
2. Left and right mirror.
3. Emblems.
4. Headlights.
5. Center molding on the doors. Not sure what else is viable on the rest of car.
Or what would you guys skip?
#20
Race Director
I got a question for you guys. Should I put in my new interior first or get it painted with it out of the car? I'm going to have it painted the exact OEM color on a Admiiral Blue 1994 LT1
I would like at the minimum take off the following in addition:
1. The rear bumper.
2. Left and right mirror.
3. Emblems.
4. Headlights.
5. Center molding on the doors. Not sure what else is viable on the rest of car.
Or what would you guys skip?
I would like at the minimum take off the following in addition:
1. The rear bumper.
2. Left and right mirror.
3. Emblems.
4. Headlights.
5. Center molding on the doors. Not sure what else is viable on the rest of car.
Or what would you guys skip?