MAACO paint Job
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 22
From: Norwalk CT and Boynton Beach FL
MAACO paint Job
The thought of spending $7K+ for a paint job is hard to swallow right now. Has anyone gone to MAACO for a paint job and how did things turn out. My 75 has the old lacquer paint on it which will all have to be removed before a repaint, I believe. Let me know your experience in the painting area --- I'm due for a new one
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,352
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Everyone will tell you 'dont do it' and its 'crap' but sometimes you 'gotta do what you gotta' do. Please dont take offense to this comment but, you have take into account the overall value of your car before spending any money on it regardless of what the money is for.
I dont know much about paint but I do know prep is everything. Remove as much trim as you can and do as much work to it as your skills will safely allow you to do.
An alternative to Maaco may be a local body shop. I doubt their rate will be much higher and your car may not rushed through as quickly. Paints paint. As long as they dont have to fix cracks and such painting a Vette shouldnt cost a dime more than painting a Monte Carlo.
I dont know much about paint but I do know prep is everything. Remove as much trim as you can and do as much work to it as your skills will safely allow you to do.
An alternative to Maaco may be a local body shop. I doubt their rate will be much higher and your car may not rushed through as quickly. Paints paint. As long as they dont have to fix cracks and such painting a Vette shouldnt cost a dime more than painting a Monte Carlo.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,352
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Yes, you do, but one must balance the cost of the work being done versus the overall value of the car. Painting a Vette shouldnt cost a dime more than painting a Monte Carlo.
I think the OP's looking a for a 'prep it and paint it' paint job.
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
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St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
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From: Kingston Ontario
My point was that some companies have a reputation for consistent quality and some have a reputation for consistently poor quality. My post was meant only to question the value of the job that one needs and can afford. Some times it is more cost affective to postpone ones spending until the money is well spent.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
I have had 3 cars painted at Maaco with fabulous results. Its all in the prep. They use quality paint and have pretty good painters. The last time I was at Maaco they had a guys 70 GTO vert they were painting. Unless you are using the car for show their $995 dollar base/clear coat with a lifetime guarantee will look great. Drive to your local Maaco shop and look around and have them show you some of their wor. No guys I dont work for those folks but they have done me right several times.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Some may call my vette a RAT ROD, and in a way it is.....but tell you what, I would not spend any money more than absolutely necessary for an expendable item, like a paint job....it's not safety related, it's not going to last all that long, especially if you street drive it....it looks too perfect and some damn valdal will make sure it's not anymore....park funny in a lot.....etc......so gotta decide what to do with the car....
garage queen so you can zaino that thing once a week??? or DRIVE IT!!!!
your choice.....
NOW, My approach is to do all the prep, and Maaco the thing....that's what they DO, shoot PAINT.....something I no damn good at.....
Paint is paint, it will only last so long.....get a good decent one step urethane on there, and call it a day....best to strip that car naked as jaybird first...interior, tops, you name it....so naked it shakes from cold.....
garage queen so you can zaino that thing once a week??? or DRIVE IT!!!!
your choice.....
NOW, My approach is to do all the prep, and Maaco the thing....that's what they DO, shoot PAINT.....something I no damn good at.....
Paint is paint, it will only last so long.....get a good decent one step urethane on there, and call it a day....best to strip that car naked as jaybird first...interior, tops, you name it....so naked it shakes from cold.....
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
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From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
Go look at their work, I'm sure they have one or two that they just completed, and judge by that. Remember also, all the prep work in the world will look bad if the person painting doesn't have a good understanding of spraying.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
Bottom line, like any other service where the quality is determined by the workmanship, is that "it depends". It depends on who will actually be doing the work. Like others have said, go to the Maaco that you're considering using and look at the freshly painted cars in the shop. And don't do it just once, do it a few times over a couple of months.
I know a lot of guys don't like the idea of using a chain paint shop like Maaco, but like jim2527 said, you have to balance the cost of the paint job against the value and the purpose of the car. For a high value show car, heck no; and for my '72 that's cherried out, no way would I use Maaco. But for my '73 NOM with over 200K miles on the body and frame, you bet I'd use Maaco (in fact, that's exactly what I'm planning to do).
I know a lot of guys don't like the idea of using a chain paint shop like Maaco, but like jim2527 said, you have to balance the cost of the paint job against the value and the purpose of the car. For a high value show car, heck no; and for my '72 that's cherried out, no way would I use Maaco. But for my '73 NOM with over 200K miles on the body and frame, you bet I'd use Maaco (in fact, that's exactly what I'm planning to do).
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Cherry Hill N.J.
Maaco Paint
Had a Maaco paint job on my 77 with "GOK" miles and after 5 tries got an acceptable result.
Had agreed on a price ($1700) including assorted bodywork, priming, sanding and various repairs and after the job was finally completed the shop agreed to accept $1000.
The final price was lowered because the finish had numerous flaws.
Had the car been a show car the flaws would not have been acceptable.
My needs were satisfied because I drive the car frequently,park in shopping centers, and am willing to accept small dings and chips that are associated with "DRIVING" the car
I enjoy the thumbs-up I receive from people on the street when they see an old car on the street.
Had agreed on a price ($1700) including assorted bodywork, priming, sanding and various repairs and after the job was finally completed the shop agreed to accept $1000.
The final price was lowered because the finish had numerous flaws.
Had the car been a show car the flaws would not have been acceptable.
My needs were satisfied because I drive the car frequently,park in shopping centers, and am willing to accept small dings and chips that are associated with "DRIVING" the car
I enjoy the thumbs-up I receive from people on the street when they see an old car on the street.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
One thing Maaco does (and a few other low ball body shop chains do) is blow paint. I had my '80 media blasted to remove the 3 shades of red that Bubba put on top of the original Code 28 Dark Blue Metallic.
I did all the other prep work including putting on fiberglass bumpers with no seam and lots of fill-sand-fill-sand-fill-sand-fill-sand... to get the surface reasonably smooth. Then I had Maaco blow on the epoxy primer (do not skip that part!), 2 layers of primer, 3 coats of base (original Code 28 Dark Blue Metallic), and 2 coats of clear for about $3,000. I think it turned out pretty well. It's not perfect, but it gets a lot attention and makes for a nice looking C3.
One thing Maaco is notorious for is overspray. Anything YOU don't cover with paper, plastic, or tape WILL have overspray.
I did all the other prep work including putting on fiberglass bumpers with no seam and lots of fill-sand-fill-sand-fill-sand-fill-sand... to get the surface reasonably smooth. Then I had Maaco blow on the epoxy primer (do not skip that part!), 2 layers of primer, 3 coats of base (original Code 28 Dark Blue Metallic), and 2 coats of clear for about $3,000. I think it turned out pretty well. It's not perfect, but it gets a lot attention and makes for a nice looking C3.
One thing Maaco is notorious for is overspray. Anything YOU don't cover with paper, plastic, or tape WILL have overspray.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
I'm very far from a paint expert, but I have to comment. I keep seeing people write "paint is paint". The guy I bought my car from had a cheap paint job put on it and after a couple of years, the paint was much worse than the original paint that is underneath it (readily visible through the plisters and peeling). Now it's also true that you don't always get what you pay for. I paid a shop their asking price for a "first rate" paint job on a pick-up truck that I had bought new. It was red and after a few years in the Florida sun, it was fading. Six months after the paint job, it was pink! I don't know much about paint and body work, but I do know that paint is not paint! God bless, Sensei
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
My 1981 coupe was painted by Maaco about 8 years ago and it still looks great! You need to sit down with the person in charge there and let them know EXACTLY what you want and will not accept anything less. Mine was done at the Middletown NY shop.
I could not see spending thousands on a paint job and then getting chips from driving it.
I could not see spending thousands on a paint job and then getting chips from driving it.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
I find that their painters also are quite good and I'm guessing it's because of the volume. Also true is the comment about overspray! Check out their work over a few week period and then you will have a good idea of the quality of work they can turn out. Good luck.
Hans
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: New Hill NC
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
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From: Somers CT
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 473
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From: New Port Richey FL
I had a DD car painted at econo once, it was whatever their top of the line was, as I remember it cost about a grand. Within 3 months you could see all the sand marks and in a year, the clear wouldn't hold a shine.