Well, I've made an appointment for my car to be painted next week at Maaco. The Maaco near me is almost as big as a Walmart.... its rediculous... the manager told me they do 60 to 70 cars a week. I'm getting the top of the line job. Its called the signature service. It comes with a prep package and 3 base coats with 2 clear coates. Its on sale for $679 (was $1030). It has a 4 year gloss warranty. I was leary about Maaco until I saw this shop (Brockton, MA). All I saw were muscle cars in the shop... stingray corvettes and earlier ones, old mustanges, chevelles... People with those cars are pickier than most so thats a good sign. And the main thing that impressed me was that it was all guys over 35 working on the cars.. .no kids. They showed me a corvette that was just done with the same package that I'm getting and it was awesome... it looked brand new. It was almost the same red as my car. They say it will take 4 to 6 days. I'm pulling off my ground effects, stickers, emblems, hood ornament, spoiler prior to dropping it off. The car is a daily driver so a $3K paint job is stupid because it will chip just as easy as Maaco when I get stuck behind the salt/sanding truck next winter. I'll let you guys know how it goes. Wish me luck...

Good luck, what color are you painting it?

Hey I had my LeMans painted there. Do a search for pictures. Not a bad job.

I'm keeping it the same color, red.
Camrs89 - I'll look for your pics.

I hope to get my car painted soon..let us know how it works out

i am curious, for 670$ but i would settle for that price!! I dont think there are any places like that here in upstate NY. What prep work does that include? kind of paint, etc...
Thanks
AJ

The good ole' Maaco Car Wash

You're right, if you're gonna daily drive it you might as well tkae it to Maaco.

A lot of guys around here that take their cars there prep them themselves to avoid the "in the door out the door" mistakes like painted over trim, moldings, and weatherseals. Hell, don't be surprised if your tires come out red too. Just be prepared.

The description of the prep package is that they machine sand the chips and scratches so they won't show through the new paint and they chemically clean the old paint, suface sand for further cleaning and adhesion. Then they apply a sealer. My paint is in good shape (no flaking, etc) so its probably good enough for my car. I was told they buy dupont paint in drums for the service I'm getting (Signature Service). They use cheaper paint on the lower level paint jobs... there are five levels in this order... (Ambassador, Presidential, Supreme, Ultra-Urethane, Signature Service)
BTW TransAm87 - I'm familiar with upstate NY... I went to college at Clarkson University in Potsdam... nothing up there but farms.

yeah, my Z28 is gonna go to maaco, this time though i am doing all the bodywork myself

my RS i took there also, for $500 they did a good job that i can't complain about

its 2 years later and its still in the same great shape

that car i did no bodywork on

Just wanted to be a jerk right now. I did all my body work,primed and painted for only 350ish dollars Looks pretty dang good for a 1 stage paint.

Good luck man, let us know how it turns out!

It seems like everyone says that if you do all the prep stuff yourself, and take everything off, etc. it usually comes out pretty good. If everybody keeps saying it... must be for a reason. If I drove the car all the time, honestly I'd go Maaco. I'd be so pissed if I got door scratches (thanks to mom for parking her station wagon next to me and not being careful!!!!) on a $2000 paint job.

I had a MAACO paint job done. I get lot's of compliments. Check my web site. Going into my 3rd summer. Probably will repaint in 2 years. Do your own prep work. all MAACO's are private/franchise owned so everyone varies. Sounds like you stumbled into a good one. Post lot's of pics.:hail:

I got my car back from Maaco today... its awesome. Everything was masked perfectly and the paint looks mint. It is absolutely amazing for under $700. It looks like a $3,000 job! I'll post pics when I can.

Are you really that happy with the end product??
How about your ground effects did you have those painted else where or did you just leave them? The reason im asking im verry interested in doing the maaco thing. My tranny went out and there went my money for a good paint job.
thanks

Yes, it really is that good. Remember though... every Maaco is different. Also, I spoke to the owner and manager personally about what kind of job I expected. I also walked around the car with the manager and had him circle parts that needed attention with chalk so there would be no misunderstanding. I had removed the ground effect and had them paint them separately. I put them back when I got home. Also, remember that this was their top of the line job. They probably mask the car better and take more care in general when you choose this package. Almost eveyone on this site who has had a Maaco paint job chose the cheap package (like the ambassador or supreme) and thats probably why you see a lot of negative feedback. Those packages are only garanteed to shine for up to a year or so, mine is 4 years. All I can really suggest is for you to go to the Maaco near you and ask to see a car that was painted with the service you want. If its no good, go to another Maaco. I was lucky and have half a dozen Maaco's in the area. Good luck.
Craig

what is the adress for that macco I need to get my car painted.

Here ya go: 84 WESTGATE DRIVE, BROCKTON, MA 02301
Phone: 508-586-2800
Go to www.maaco.com to find the ones around you.

i'll most likely be getting the signature package soon, also. do you have pics of it now, cswanson? i'm mostly concerned with how much orange peel there may be without wetsanding it afterward.

i know a guy who worked in a maaco down here in charlotte and he showed me a few pics and they did some amazingly good work. He has his own paintbooth now and is gonna be teaching me to paint. Plus he is painting cars for my dads company for 100 bucks if we buy the material.

I have pictures but don't but never learned how to post them... never really needed to I guess. Let me assure you the car (two years later now) is just as good as the day it was painted. It has no orange peel like the factory paint job had. The car sits during the winters outside without a cover and has taken it like a champ.
People see it today and think its was just painted. I've only waxed it once but wash it all the time. No fade at all. Just remember every maaco is different as I said before. Do a good prep job and talk to the manager of whatever maaco you go to so you undertand and he understands what type of job you expect. remember to mask in the doors since they don't. good luck.

I had my car painted there, personally I think they could of done a little bit better of a job. You can see their mistakes quite well and in some places the paint is already chipping, but what can u expect for 200 bucks. I just wanted a cheap paint job to get the car looking a little better.

in january they usually have the annual 1/2 off sale... this year you didnt have any choice only the presidential was 1/2 off, but for $200 you could paint it every year, lol.

i agree- strip all the lights, emblems, etc yourself and make it real easy for them. also be VERY clear on what you want and make sure they write it down, because they do a lot of cars.

also, at least for the single stage:
1) clean bird crap off right away or it can leave a shadow mark
2) dont use papertowel or anything but cotton to clean.
3) wax it.

here's mine:

I get mine back from Earl Schiebe tomorrow. I'm totally sweating it. Pictures and a critique will certainly follow.

So here's my thing: I don't drive my car that much since I work 4 miles from where I live (I ride a sweet MTB or Road bike depending on my mood). I would call my Bird a daily driver though. The fact that I do not have 2500 to spend on a *quality" paint job is totally related to the fact that I would prefer to spend money on either my family or performance mods. Also, the deal @ Earl's was pretty enticing:

• 2 coats of "starfire" (metallic) paint
• Clear Coat
• UV Protectant Coat
• Some minor body work (dings and fiberglass repair)
• 6 YEAR freakin' warranty.

All that for 500 clams. I checked the shop out here in Redwood City (3 blocks from the Peterson Trial BTW) and saw a Camaro, a 68 Baracuda, 'a 65 Mustang Restoration Project, a Mercedes, and a few Beemers. I think they know the drill. The BEFORE picture is on the sig. Also, I had some HORRIBLE paint damage on the trunk:

Lousy Van Nuys water-based paint

Even Earl will make this better.

I did detailing at a Maaco here near toronto. The painter there was the best painter ive ever seen. no word of a lie....and ive been aorund alot of painters and paint shops. the prep people were often a different story. But if i decide to get another car painted. Im doing alot of the prep work myself...then taking it to this guy (side job)
He did a 76 Corvette with that crazy dupont chromalusion paint. most body shops wont even do that stuff. it came out flawless

It looks like I'll be going with Maaco as well. I was going to go get a $3K paint job, but the place is now out of business, which might be a blessing in disguise. I'll drop the money for the top dollar job and stripping on this, since it will only be about $1,400 for the whole 9.

Most guys at maaco/earl shiebe and places like that can paint very well. Thats all they do day in and day out is shoot paint, so they know what there doing. Alot of it just depends on the prep work and shops vary from place to place.

I'm taking my car to Maaco this monday. I just got an estimate a few days ago... the owner looked the car over thoroughly and pointed out various dings, dents, and a rust spot he thought should be fixed. Also, thanks to that wonderful Van Nuys paint, my rear bumper, nose, and spoiler are faded just as badly if not worse than the pic Cadillac posted. The owner suggested that those things be removed, sanded down, and painted seperately with an added flex agent.

I also have this really cheesy teal, purple, and pink pinstriping all over the sides and hood of the car that the previous owner got done when the car was brand new. Can't wait to see that gone.

Anyway, I'm also getting the top of the line paint job, which includes a prep package and base coat/clear coat that comes to like $800... plus 6 or so hours of body work at around $500.. for a grand total of about $1500 including tax. I know most of you will say this is too much for a Maaco job, but considering the amount of body work that's being done, I think it's alright. And no, I'm not doing it myself. I simply don't have the time with work/school and no time off.

I took a look at an old Z28 they had in the lot that was just painted with the same package that I'm getting, and it looked flawless (from what I could see)... didn't paint over any emblems, no noticable overspray, etc. I could just tell that the owner is the kind of guy who won't accept any crap jobs being done at his Maaco. Anyway, I'll have some before and after pics soon...

Where is the Maaco you're going to?

The one in Selden on Middle Country Rd... I haven't bothered to check out the one in Lindenhurst (or wherever it is) becaue the Selden one is like 5 minutes from me.

OK... I got my car back from "Earl". I am overjoyed.

Sure, there was some overspray on the wheels but nothing I couldn't take off with a little solvent. There was also some evidence of a half-*** tape job but you really have to look hard for these things. For the money, I'm ecstatic.

I'll post up when I get the details done.

pics or come on over to the meet on the central coast

cool, can't wait to see the pics...

PM me the details?

I am looking for ANY excuse to drive out of the Bay Area. It's driving me crazy that all my trips around here are 4-5 miles only!!!

~C

I had mine done at Maaco last June. Not bad at all for the money. I was pleased. But then, the oxidized paint from before was embarrasing. So, a rattle can job would have been an improvement. But, all in all, Maaco did a good job with mine.

i got my car painted at maaco in march.

i did the body work myself (not perfect but it was my first time and they even complimented how good i did and offered me a job) and i took EVERYTHING off [mirrors, tail/head lights, park lmps, brown paper lunch sacks over foglights, grill/hood louvers removed, new front and rear bumpers.]

it turned out so good even they were shocked. like people say alot of it is in the prep work, the mood of thepainter that day, his skill level, and which level you pay for (i got presidential)

What bodywork did you do so well your first time, if I may kindly ask? Thing is, a guy backed into the rear passenger quarter of my 'bird, and it's this dent that I can't hammer so it'll have to be pulled, and I'm just wondering if your situation is applicable to mine.

Thanks!

I just went and called a local maaco's and the guy who picked up said he "didn't know nuthin' 'bout it" lol. So could you give me some more details? Is this a nationwide thing? (I'm in the SF bay area)

Thanks

85SportCoupeto89RS, is that the bottom-of-the-line package? Because that looks really nice.

Swanson, Brockton MA eh? On Belmont street? My dad used to have a store, a few buildings down from there. They actually do good service there eh?

i saw a commerical for it, but I also know that each maaco is privately owned franchise, so they might have the choice to 'participate' or not. all i can say is that this maaco was in torrance, ca, phone # (310)533-6023.

give them a ring, then maybe tell your guy that so-and-so is offering it (in january) , can you get the same deal.

my car was not beaten up too bad ( a bullet hole, small dent, some chips ) so i mostly did bondo besides replacing the front and rear bumpers, removing body stripes, and door molding. overall i am very impressed with their paint quality and my prep abilities.

i just started prepping a beater of my dad's for maaco paint and pulled a dent about the size of a small basketball. i could access the rear of it tho and used a hammer/dolly(sp?) so smooth it out.

i went to the Maaco off I-75 in Dayton OH on Needmore Rd and talked to a guy named Dick most of the time and they really went the extra mile. very impressed.

I live near Chicago and am considering a paint job. Anyone have any experience with Maaco's in the area? Thanx.

Back from paint shop (and vacation). Let's put it vaguely...I got what I paid for. Not saying what that means exactly.



and:



and lastly:



Note the little girl in the background. She's been strictly told that she is not to approach the fine, red vehicle under penalty of a harsh tickling.

:lala:

You only get a 4 year warranty for shine?? Not to say that you got a bad paint job or anything but the body shop that I work at offers lifetime warranty on all of our paint jobs. If it ever fades, starts to flake or peel away we repaint it for free.

Maaco in blue island supposed to be pretty good