Maaco Paint
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,692
Likes: 29
From: Texas
Maaco Paint
At work, we had an Escalade repainted and paint color changed from Diamond White to Emerald Green by Maaco. Cost $1,800. Inspected paint job closely. It really, really looks good and well done. Know we don't like Maaco for Vettes, but.....
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 2
From: Melrose Florida
My '70 442 has a 10-year old black acrylic paint job that was a $300 Maaco special, and it looks great. I'll be taking my '74 4-speed C3 to the local Maaco, because they are running a $249 special. I'll do the prep work.
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
The more I hear from folks here, prepping and painting fiberglass is a totally different ball game. Having said that, Maaco is not a bad option because those guys are well experienced and gets a lot of time behind a brush.
They are cheap because the do almost no prep work. It's all about scuff mask and paint.
I would not mind saving some money getting Maaco to spray my car, but I will probably prep the car myself and also not use their el-cheapo paint.
They are cheap because the do almost no prep work. It's all about scuff mask and paint.
I would not mind saving some money getting Maaco to spray my car, but I will probably prep the car myself and also not use their el-cheapo paint.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1
From: JOPPA MD
For everyone who thinks (without experience) that Maaco and similar chains are bad because they are inexpensive; you'll find at least one person who received excellent long-term value and quality.
My '70 442 has a 10-year old black acrylic paint job that was a $300 Maaco special, and it looks great. I'll be taking my '74 4-speed C3 to the local Maaco, because they are running a $249 special. I'll do the prep work.
Steve
My '70 442 has a 10-year old black acrylic paint job that was a $300 Maaco special, and it looks great. I'll be taking my '74 4-speed C3 to the local Maaco, because they are running a $249 special. I'll do the prep work.
Steve
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 2
From: Melrose Florida
It's a '74, NOM, not original color...not sure what is criminal about a low cost paint job to freshen the car's looks. There is no way to justify the expense of a more expensive paint job on this car...it would be stupidity (my opinion) to pay $1000 for a paint job on a $2000 car.
Steve
PS: I can do my own paint work, mainly paying Maaco so someone else can breathe the solvent fumes...I've damaged my lungs too much already.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Criminal? When it's time for paint, we want application expertise. Where that expertise comes from -- MAACO, your own garage, a high dollar paint shop, the neighbor down the street -- isnt' important as long as the painter knows his/her stuff.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
My 84 was painted by the local Maaco - no problems whatsoever for 5+ years. I have also had earlier cars painted by them that lasted jsut fine. The trick is to not take a car needing tons of prep to them, as has been pointed out their prep is what lacks.
Prep is easily the single most important contributor to a quality and lasting paint job and yes thats what Maaco lacks. do your own prep and the difference begins to deminish.
Prep is easily the single most important contributor to a quality and lasting paint job and yes thats what Maaco lacks. do your own prep and the difference begins to deminish.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Near Round Top (pop. 90) Texas
It's in the prep.
They usually have the cheap labor guys doing the prep.
If you can do the prep yourself, i'm sure you can get a good paint job from them.
Talk to the manager about having a conversation with the actual painter that will do your work.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
They actually are capable of a great paint job they have good booths etc..
if you do ALL and I mean ALL the prep work they can lay down a pretty dang good paint job.
we paid 5k in 05 to have our 68 painted buy a guy we know and it's slick, thats obviously the way to go someone like that but if ur on a budget and can prep it yourself you can get a nice job by them I've seen some great ones myself.
if you do ALL and I mean ALL the prep work they can lay down a pretty dang good paint job.
we paid 5k in 05 to have our 68 painted buy a guy we know and it's slick, thats obviously the way to go someone like that but if ur on a budget and can prep it yourself you can get a nice job by them I've seen some great ones myself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
If you do the prep work which is the key to a good paint job and takes the majority of time, and provide quality paint to spray, why gamble at the end with a maaco painter? It just doesn't make sense to risk all the time and energy of prep on a painter who may or may not leave runs, dust, fingerprints all over your final paint.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Near Round Top (pop. 90) Texas
If you do the prep work which is the key to a good paint job and takes the majority of time, and provide quality paint to spray, why gamble at the end with a maaco painter? It just doesn't make sense to risk all the time and energy of prep on a painter who may or may not leave runs, dust, fingerprints all over your final paint.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 2
From: San Angelo TX
For everyone who thinks (without experience) that Maaco and similar chains are bad because they are inexpensive; you'll find at least one person who received excellent long-term value and quality.
My '70 442 has a 10-year old black acrylic paint job that was a $300 Maaco special, and it looks great. I'll be taking my '74 4-speed C3 to the local Maaco, because they are running a $249 special. I'll do the prep work.
Steve
My '70 442 has a 10-year old black acrylic paint job that was a $300 Maaco special, and it looks great. I'll be taking my '74 4-speed C3 to the local Maaco, because they are running a $249 special. I'll do the prep work.
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1
From: JOPPA MD
To all the above..........NUT'S.
I agree prep is everything.........but, you can still find an expert painter to understand your needs for a price....and if we agree to disagree...that's aokay with me. I've seen paint jobs out of their shop's that look like they painted it underwater with a brush....so its your monies...so, whom am I to say...get some scuba gear!!!!!
I agree prep is everything.........but, you can still find an expert painter to understand your needs for a price....and if we agree to disagree...that's aokay with me. I've seen paint jobs out of their shop's that look like they painted it underwater with a brush....so its your monies...so, whom am I to say...get some scuba gear!!!!!
Last edited by GREGG-73; Aug 7, 2009 at 03:43 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Near Round Top (pop. 90) Texas
If you have a trailer queen, then spend $5000 for a paint job, and keep it in your garage under a car cover and three layers of padding.
If you have a car you like to drive once in a while, MACCO $500 and enjoy it!
If you have a car you like to drive once in a while, MACCO $500 and enjoy it!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
The quality of a paint job is dependent on a few key elements:
-preparation of the car...removal of all hardware, proper stripping, sanding, prepping of the body;
-proper equipment...dust-free paint booth with good lighting and good ventilation/filtering; also, proper spray guns;
-good quality paint
-a skilled paint 'guy/gal' who knows what they are doing and has experience with shooting on fiberglass/plastic bodies.
If you do the prep work and buy the paint you want on the car, find a Maaco (which already has the paint booth system) and their best painter and see what they would want for just shooting the color and clear on the car. That would have to be a lot less expensive than having a paint shop do ALL of the work.
-preparation of the car...removal of all hardware, proper stripping, sanding, prepping of the body;
-proper equipment...dust-free paint booth with good lighting and good ventilation/filtering; also, proper spray guns;
-good quality paint
-a skilled paint 'guy/gal' who knows what they are doing and has experience with shooting on fiberglass/plastic bodies.
If you do the prep work and buy the paint you want on the car, find a Maaco (which already has the paint booth system) and their best painter and see what they would want for just shooting the color and clear on the car. That would have to be a lot less expensive than having a paint shop do ALL of the work.