wiweeds

I'm anticipating some interesting responses but I was wondering if anyone here has done business with Maacco and what the results were. I was thinking of painting my teal black or flame red with their supreme option....

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

doing a search will bring up many threads about macco paint jobs.

jharrison5

I had them do the paint on my 79 TA back in high school and was not impressed. They painted the entire car blue as requested but also painted over all the chrome trim and the bird on the hood. I was not happy and ended up having to call the Better Business Bureau to get my money back.

wiweeds

Thats what I find so odd. Some people say it was worse than when it went in others say it was amazing so it's hard to tell if they are respectable or not

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

it depends on the paints at the time, some take their work to heart, some are nly for the paycheck

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Just search the macco shops online. Like said plenty of times, some shops do an outstanding job while others you can probably spray paint it better. Its a mix bag.


If I was gonna Macco my 92, I would continue doing my own body work and take the car without trim and have them do it.

UNCLE TOM

iTrader: (1)

MAACO is franchise . it is a local shop operating under their name . some are good , some are trash . check with the shop you have in mind . ask them about references . ck. them , ask previous customers about the work . good luck .

dtk132

No no no no and no.. get a gallon of paint from home depot and some rollers before bringing your car there (this is a joke, dont actually use a roller on your car!)

I am a certified painter at a very reputable body shop. Paint is expensive, about$1000 for material alone or close to it. You should expect to pay at least $3000-$5000 for a good paintjob with labor. Otherwise its a waste of money. All macco paintjobs do is make more work for you later down the road. (yes ill be arrogant like that too)

If you ever go to get a real paint job after seeing the horrible finish, more than likely you will need to strip the paint off completely. Down to bare metal, making that an expensive and very time consuming mistake.

-Macco tapes up everything, they dont take anything off. Door handles, moldings, bumpers, mirrors. Even antenna's! With this comes what you call hard-lines, this is where the paint is not wrapped completely around to the edge and will eventually peel back and flake off.

- Macco uses crappy single stage paint (not clear coat in single stage) it will fade easily, chip, not have the same deep look as a 2 or 3 stage finish.

-Macco bake's their cars for about 10 minutes if that in 10x the hotter temperature you should normally bake cars at. Leading to melted parts on car (that cant hold 180degrees) and a dull finish.
Normally cars should be baked for 130-145 for 45-50 minutes. 110-125 on fiberglass cars.

-Macco doesnt warrenty anything i believe, most bodyshops offer lifetime warrenty on their paint

-Macco has inexperienced painters fresh out of high school or votec

-Macco does not prep and sand the car properly. This is the most time consuming part of refinishing a car, they lack big time.

-Macco just simply doesnt care about your car, they slam it out to make money. Its the definition of a "Production" body shop

-$300-$600 for an all over?? Do you really think a real paintjob is that cheap? That wouldnt even buy the basecoat and clear with all the activators it uses on a real paintjob.

-They give real body shops and the art of refinishing the worst look.

If you cannot afford to bring it to a body shop, bring it to a real painter or even a painter's helper that has to spraying experience at a reputable body shop and see if they can do some work on the side. ( expect to pay around $1500 if going that route)
Make sure they are using name brand products
Dupont, PPG, House of color, ICI, Glaserit, or Spies Heckor only..
if its something other than that like LIMCO, Sherman williams, or Nason.. dont bother.
Its garbage and they only offer a 4:1 fast activator clearcoat that will not shine well, will not flex for the bumper, and will come out dull and orange peely.

I know what im talking about. Macco is a No No.. no matter how many people tell you otherwise.

Paint is the first thing you see on the car, and the most appealing. Why not get the good stuff? dont put good money to bad, save up.
Hope this helps!

texascat2

14 years on my $3800 paint job! NOT Macco!!

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

While I do agree that you will have to spend a good amount of change for a long lasting paintjob. It does not mean it can not be done on a low budget by yourself.

jchaussee

Well some of us can't afford 5K for paint job. 500 may get us through for a few years.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Exactly. Thats what route I will be going. So far I spent all summer working on body work and probably close to $400 in supplies to do so. I plan to go with single stage paint and do the work myself. Might not be a $4000 paintjob but I will assure you if my results are the same as I did on my old hood. It will be close enough to one.

GMan 3MT

iTrader: (4)

I think the biggest thing to take from this is you get what you pay for. Yes, to do it 'right', pay $3000-5000 at a 'real' shop. You have to ask yourself, is your car (and it's condition) worth spending that much money on it?

One thing I get annoyed at is people complaining about the quality of work they got for $500. You pay $500, you get $500 quality. Yes, Macco doesn't remove stuff, tapes over everything, and paint over trim. Most their paints are single stage with no clear. Keep this in mind.

I got my racecar painted at Maaco. I was not about to spend $3000 on something that could get balled up in a race. I did some research and found one in my area that had good reviews. Went in, talked to the owner and felt comfortable.* Paid around $1200 for it, two tone, filled in some holes etc. I spend some time taking the car apart before I dropped it off, knowing they will simply tape over stuff. Removed the taillights, headlights, sidemarkers etc. Also removed the door handles, spoiler and hood louvers to ensure the car beneath them would get painted. Yes, since there is no clear, you can feel the ridge between the two colors. The car stays in the garage most of the time so I wasn't worried about it fading. I knew this ahead of time and am still very pleased with the result.

I'm (slowly) building a '91 RS for my wife on the cheap. I expect to have around $700 total (using parts I've gathered over the years) in the car asides paint. Depending on how nice it (interior, a/c etc) turns out, it may get a Macco job as well. If it turns out better than I think it will, only then may we contemplate spending more on paint.

If it's a money issue, I'd rather have a cheap crappy paint job than non-color matching body panels for a few years while I save for a good paint job, but that's just me.

*For sure go and talk to the owner. Usually you can get a good feel on if it's a good shop or not right away.

dtk132

I would honestly look into a vocational school before macco. They usually will spray the car for free when you supply the materials, they learn off of your car, but the instructors usually dont let the car leave too horrible, at least not a maaco finish. They will most likely do the car the right way, since they learn to do it the right way from their instuctor. If there is a run (most likely in clear coat) usually you can razor blade and wetsand buff it out and hardly tell (if not completely tell) it was ever there.

Other ways around Maaco, just keep your options open.
Again if i were to do anything cheap i would ask painter's helpers at local body shops if they are interested for some side work.. that is honestly your best bet.

hdis2002

iTrader: (1)

My 87 IROC has a macco paint job done by the previous owner. A blind monkey could have done a better job. Over spray is everywhere. The exhaust tips, the molding on the rear hatch, around the headlights, etc. No runs that I can tell but it does chip very easily. As another posted stated, it's probably going to cost me a small fortune when I get to the point of getting it repainted, but I can't control what the last guy paid for. It's fine for now.

Dizturbed One

I worked at an Aamco next to a Maaco (yes, ironic I know) a few years back and even the guys there told me not to do it.

jchaussee

Let me ask this. How much physical time is involved in painting a 5000 dollar paint job. How many actuall hours are involved. And the votech school sounds like a good idea

dtk132

how many hours? a lot, too many..
getting a painters helper to do it on the side is a better option, if u cant find anything then look into local votec schools

jchaussee

Like what's a lot. 20, 30? More. Less. Actual physical time working on car?

84olmpcboy

My car wasn't in to bad of shape, about 5dents with 2 major ones on the rear fender, and so far its only in primer and I got about 50hours in it. This included the time to sand down the entire car, remove panels, repair dents, and spray. Still have to sand it down and re-prime it and paint it this spring. That was my first time doing it and it was only to preserve the car since surface rust was starting so I guess it wasn't bad. So far I have about $400 in it, $150 in etching primer and about $250 in sandpaper, filters, and miscellaneous items. Paint is going to be about another $3-400. And I'm prolly going to be putting about another 50 hours in it to get it perfect.

jharrison5

I don't know why I didn't think of this before.I have a solution for a semi cheap paint job. Contact your local Community College or high school auto shop teacher and see if any one needs a car to paint. When I was in tech school a lot of the guys who were not in Auto tech had the guys paint their cars or trucks for the cost of materials.

jchaussee

I was just crious at how long it would take if I brought my car in for a 5000) paint job

dtk132

This is my car, took me a year to paint it working after hours at the body shop i work at, every night 4-5 days a week.
Countless hours, i cant count.. thats why i said a lot haha..
Besides going down to bare metal and the body work that was done i shaved the door handles, made the cowl and re-structured the hood myself with the help of an english wheel. ground effects from the 25th anniversary camaro that dont fit the 86', and much more. 3 stage Lamborghini Arancio Atlas PPG paint. Engine bay was sprayed, interior, exterior, everything.. Something like this with the most expensive material from PPG would easily be over $10k paintjob at a shop, without exaggeration.

Paint and good body work can really bring out the beauty of a car. Save up, and dont settle with macco if you know you are going to keep your car and it has as much of a sentimental value to you as mine does to me. Thats the best advice i can give. And if the car isnt the best and not planning to keep it i would still look at your other options, like finding a painters helper to do it on the side. ( pay somewhere between $1k-2 for a pretty decent job.

( These pictures added are the process of my restoration, the final finished pictures are in the next post.. could only ad 3 images at a time)

dtk132

(continued pictures from above post)

84olmpcboy

That was my first paint job, and I'm still not done but my guestimate is that I will have about 100hours total. Professionals are allot faster than I am.

84olmpcboy

dtk132 What did you do about the holes on the front bumper. Noticed the holes weren't filled! Did you get the badge or what?!?! Great looking car!!!!!!

dtk132

Thanks, yea of course i have the emblem put on again. (picture was very old)

haps

iTrader: (4)

Most of this is inaccurate, so don't let it be the reason you don't let Maaco paint your car. Personally, I liked the "melted parts on the car" statement best.
As Gman suggested, each shop is individually owned and operated. Go talk to the owner, check the BBB, ask around. Maaco can provide a good service for a reasonable price. At the same time, don't expect a restoration for $199.

racethesunlive

My Camaro was painted by Maaco and they did an ok job. Sure its not perfect but my car is one whole color now and looks good if I keep the paint clean and waxed. It really is important to check out your local Maaco though as it all comes down to the painter you get and the shop you take it to.

Taken right as I was picking my car up, still in their lot:

9234_267850855533_550690533_8851023.jpg?t=1290618747

wiweeds

From the picture I actually think it looks pretty good. Im going to check out my local maaco when I get a chance. I plan on doing alll of my own body work but would you guys suggest I take my headlights, taillights etc? Because I hear they just tape over it.

mightymaro94

dont rely on the BBB they give ratings to ppl who BUY their membership to the BBB i seen it on the news here recently they showed a lady who had a low rating she called and bought the membership and the next day had an A+ rating... plus Wolfgang puck the chef.... he has an F for his dining establishments bc he refuses to join the BBB

racethesunlive

I'd take off your headlights, door trim, etc and tape up what you can when you take it there, just let them know your going to do that. I prep'd myself and left my headlights/taillights on by just 1 bolt and they still just taped over both because I didn't mention it beforehand...

dtk132

.... 'ohh' lol. im done with this thread. bring it to maaco

Ron U.S.M.C.

To give you a general idea of what the process looks like. Here's a link to my $3,000 paint job listing expenses. I had a friend (pro.painter) do it for me with my help. I don't know how many hours it took because we worked on it when we could.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...nt-photos.html

b1lk1

There are very few places in Canada that even offer any sort of budget body/paint work. I am lucky and know a guy with a shop at his house and can get a reasonable paintjob for $1K-1.5K, but I couldn't see myself spending more than that in all honesty. To me, you have to REALLY love your car, and I mean really really really, in order to justify spending more than that. I drive my cars everywhere and I can't be bothered worrying about parking and such. Someone dings my car, it gets fixed and blown in. No real loss. People with expensive paint jobs either tend to take up 2 spaces in the hopes noone parks next to them or messes with their car, or they don't park it anywhere. To me, that defeats the purpose of having a nice car.

As for Maaco, you do get what you pay for. As has been said, do all the prep work you can and then don't be afraid to ask for more, even if it makes the cost rise. Even most hack shops will do a better job once you stop asking for the cheapest price possible. Everyone wants to get paid what they are worth after all.

RedDevilDuck

I back up 100% on "you get what you pay for", I've personaly seen the work of my local Maaco and is simply amazing, they had a 69 chevelle(572 with a nitrous set up a full built auto trans and a ford 9", for what I can remeber of the glimps) in a real deep black with some red stripes they had a second gen with a chromed out LSX procharged and a M6 that they did also black, I think they even did a "General Lee"......

All the way down to some sh*tty stuff, like a Honda accord that a customer only wanted paint. Well let's just say that's all they did...

I work really close by, plus it's good to know people.

Ron U.S.M.C.

Were those customers cars or there's ? And if they were customers cars ,what were they paying for the paint jobs ?

RedDevilDuck

The cars were customers cars, and they paid well over 4k. (I can't remeber correctly, it was a wile ago)

jchaussee

Well put it this way unless they spend 100 or so man hours , which is 8 hours a day for 1/2 weeks then I find it real hard for a company to justify 5000K for a paint job. Bottom line.

Nino1984

As it's been stated, MAACO is a franchise. Like any franchise, some do better work than others. It all depends on your expectations. Are you looking for perfection? If so, then spend 5k on a high end job. If your car is a driver, get references and talk to the franchise owner at MAACO. Tell him exactly what's important to you and what's not. If you decide to go the MAACO route, opt for their urethane paint. I did on my 1970 Lemans and it looks very good. A guy at a car show actual said my car looked like it was powder coated because of the depth of the paint. That car was a driver, and I wasn't looking for perfection or to spend 5k. I also just had a company truck painted there, and it looks great. So, don't be fooled into thinking that you can't get a good paint job from them; just don't expect show quality either. Bottom line, you get what you pay for. I like to think their work is very good enough.

RedDevilDuck

I never understood why every one bashes maaco (but yet again can't speak for all) when all they spent was $500 lol.

I wish I could post pic's but currently only workin off a Iphone.

I see their work all the time, my dads the manager so I get to see the start the middle and the final product when their customer has the right money to do it, which seems to happen preaty often around Ventura county IMO.

Roc THIS

I paid $780 for my maaco paint job . I did not have any damaged parts on my car when I got it back . A few imperfections but those are expected from that cheap of a job . My maaco DID REMOVE PARTS like the antenna , a few marker lights and even touched up some body work I did free of charge .

So honestly , its hit or miss. I seen work that rolled out of that shop I went to and I knew these guys did great work for the price . The owner was a great guy and I knew the guys in back and knew they love what they do . There for they took pride in the work they did. I will say the paint is not the best but my car never out of the garage for anything but perfect so that was not a big thing for me .

Overall , do your research . Because MY MAACO EXPERIENCE WAS GREAT ! and I refer people top them all the time now.

Ron U.S.M.C.

Sounds to me that they are car enthusiast and have set aside time for special "4K" project cars . Your right, theres no real money in taking on jobs like that. Thats why most shops don't take on detailed ,high end full prep. and paint jobs. The money is in quick , easy ,fast and preferably insurance covered repairs/paint.

RedDevilDuck

Well we are a lil car nuts around here

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Am I the only one willing to not spend 3k+ on a paint job, and do it the budget way and learn yourself for under a grand?

Hell 4k+? I would take a primered 3rd gen with a LTX/LSX swap anyday.

Ron U.S.M.C.

$ 3,000.00 might sound like allot for a car I payed $ 500.00 for .But Just the weatherstripping kit ,front,side and rear emblems were $414.00 .Everything from PPG primer to clear to paint to painter and materials. I just don't see how I could have gotten a“professional” paint job for any less than what I payed. "As said earlier" If you want to do a budget paint job that's up to you and what your expectations are. To each their own.
PS. The man that did the work on my car is a close friend of mine and he flat out told me I was getting a paint job that they would normally charge $ 4,000.00 for. How could I pass that ( rare opportunity ) up.

DrewsCam

iTrader: (2)

i took my 82 z to a local maaco and they actually took off the high rise wing i modded to the car and painted it seperate. The guy who did the wing was a damn good painter and body man in training ... however i did all the other body work myself and left them to 'prep' it and paint. All they had to do was sand the car down properly and paint it. I even PAID them to prep the car the right way and they did the perimeter and never touched the roof. Didn't even paint the bottom of the rockers. I took it back and they wanted another 300 to paint what they missed and reprep and paint the roof which they didn't do and i PAID them to do. I eventually got a rebate on the crappy prep and paint they did after talking in person to the regional manager. The car went up in flames about three weeks later due to a fuel line that blew on the way to a meet. After all that i would never take my new 91 to Maaco. Instead i'm going to redo the body myself and i was lucky to befriend a master painter who has done work for some cars featured in hot rod magazine and other productions. He will 'help' me through the process and spray the car cause he's the only one i would trust currently to do it. Local swap meets are great for making connections like these. I just got lucky and moved in next door to him lol

ponykiller1187

my car had a maaco job done by the previous owner and it looks like crap. my orginal color was like a burgundy red and they painted right over it like they didnt even sand or do nothing. luckily they didnt paint over some of the stuff but they never do the door jams or the trunk or hood jams. it looks so bad from far away its ok but im affraid to show people up close and the sad thing is that the orginal color was ok it didnt even look bad at all. i wanna sand it down and try to do it myself. i have a suburban that i bought cheap and im gonna try and pratice on that. sometimes the best bet is to practice and try it for yourself. eventually you wiill get it down and then have extra knowledge. espically if your into cars and working on them. it never hurts to learn something new. harbor frieght has so cheap guns. they might not be the best but there good to practice with i recently bought there power coating system. and i powercoated some of my suspension parts brake calipers and cross member for the tranny. it turned out amazing and its strong. would post pics but dont know how

Lucid

iTrader: (4)

At the time this picture was taken, the paint job was 4-5 years old. I took the original photograph with a 35mm camera, had it developed and then scanned the image and uploaded to photobucket. There is a little degradation due to the multiple transfers.

I believe that Maaco did a paint job with the clear mixed in.

dtk132

.. you dont mix a clear in the paint.. its called single stage and will fade right away. Yellow single stage fades quicker than any other color.