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Maaco body work reliable??

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Old Feb 9, 2012 | 10:09 PM
  #1  
Lmancha96's Avatar
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Joined: May 2011
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From: Houston,Texas
Car: 1992 Camaro (Z28 Clone)
Engine: LB9|TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Maaco body work reliable??

I just bought a 91 rs and i am looking to get it painted i'm not trying to go to expensive.

The car has minor rust on the roof and i want to get it removed asap, does anyone have any experience like these with places like maaco?

Maaco being so cheap i was wondering just how reliable they would be will they get the job done correctly (the rust) or will i be wasting money.

Also would it be less expensive if i did the job myself what kind of tools do i need?

Thanks in advance!
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Old Feb 9, 2012 | 10:31 PM
  #2  
BlackenedBird's Avatar
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From: Central Texas
Car: GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Aussie 9-bolt/3.27 posi
Re: Maaco body work reliable??

Nope. Do a Search & you'll lots of bad Maaco stories.
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Old Feb 9, 2012 | 10:35 PM
  #3  
evilemokid94's Avatar
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From: Elwood, IN
Car: 1986 camaro Sports Coupe
Engine: L31 350
Transmission: 89 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 gov lock
Re: Maaco body work reliable??

My car was painted and body work done on my car and I'm happy with it, but honestly I had my school fix a dent in my car the other day and I'm amazed at how they did thst, they took their time, and it was cheaper than maaco, so check your schools man
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Old Feb 9, 2012 | 10:39 PM
  #4  
chevyboy001's Avatar
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Re: Maaco body work reliable??

dont do it had all my body work done at my friends shop and all maaco had to do was prep prime block and sand...... you guessed it they messed up.
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Old Feb 9, 2012 | 10:41 PM
  #5  
spurgeon76's Avatar
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From: Yorktown, VA
Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 4th gen rear with 3.42
Re: Maaco body work reliable??

MAACO is fast and cheap. You get what you pay for. If you do all the prep work and just let them lay the paint would turn out better. They painted my 82' back in 1994, they painted over the graphics and everything, it looked good for about 18 months and then the paint started to flake off.
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Old Feb 10, 2012 | 04:43 AM
  #6  
lordmetalz28's Avatar
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From: hudson valley, NY
Car: 1987 Z28 with iroc-z Package no.3
Engine: 350TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi
Re: Maaco body work reliable??

going on 4 years with my paint job, of course i paid 2200 for the best package they offered, they screwed up a few things, but overall it came out 100% better then it went in. car is waxed once a year and kept in the garage and it looks fantastic to this day.
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Old Feb 10, 2012 | 08:09 AM
  #7  
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From: Michigan
Car: 1984 camaro z28
Engine: sbc 383
Transmission: Th400
Axle/Gears: Moser 9", 4.11 gear
Re: Maaco body work reliable??

Maaco is a corporation but each is managed individually and the integrity of the store manager is in how well they will do the work on your car. You need to find out which one is in your area and then look up and see if you can find the reviews for your specific maaco.

Personally if you are looking to have your car painted, I'd say do the body work yourself. Maaco quoted me on doing my body work as adding another 1500 or so to the original cost for paint. Paint is cheap there but you have to remember those prices arent including the body work yet.

If you look in my signature youll see my build thread, and i did all of the body work on my car, and then took it to maaco for paint because i knew a guy that worked there. But they do a very good job with paint, its all in the prep work. And if you want your car to look the best i'd suggest doing the body work on your own. Goodluck!
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Old Feb 10, 2012 | 08:37 AM
  #8  
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From: Shakopee, Mn
Car: 89 Iroc
Engine: 305TPI
Transmission: T5
Re: Maaco body work reliable??

Originally Posted by GreggymacZ28
Maaco is a corporation but each is managed individually and the integrity of the store manager is in how well they will do the work on your car. You need to find out which one is in your area and then look up and see if you can find the reviews for your specific maaco.
I completely agree. My brother had somebody hit his Vette and brought it around to get some quotes. When he went into the local Maaco, they actually treated him the best out of all of the shops. He decided to go with them and it turned out better than expected, due to all of the horror stories. I would not hesitate to go in there again if I need work done. And their customer service was great.
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Old Feb 10, 2012 | 09:15 AM
  #9  
thebuffalo's Avatar
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Seminole, FL
Car: 88 trans am
Engine: 350sb
Transmission: t400
Axle/Gears: 7.5/2.73
Re: Maaco body work reliable??

Originally Posted by Lmancha96
I just bought a 91 rs and i am looking to get it painted i'm not trying to go to expensive.

The car has minor rust on the roof and i want to get it removed asap, does anyone have any experience like these with places like maaco?

Maaco being so cheap i was wondering just how reliable they would be will they get the job done correctly (the rust) or will i be wasting money.

Also would it be less expensive if i did the job myself what kind of tools do i need?

Thanks in advance!
Get rid of the rust and bondo it yourself, then bring it to maaco. My buddy got his 300zx rust spot taken out there just for it to come back a few months later. Paint wasnt bad for $300.
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Old Feb 10, 2012 | 11:18 AM
  #10  
tommyr848's Avatar
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Joined: Mar 2011
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Car: 88 camaro iroc-z
Engine: l98 (350 tpi)
Transmission: Auto
Re: Maaco body work reliable??

Going to Clarksville, TN maaco to get my 89 firebird priced for paint... Has a dent in the hood and fender were a truck backed over it before I got the car... Would it be cheaper to just buy a fender and hood from a junkyard with no dents in them or let maaco deal with it?
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Old Feb 10, 2012 | 11:42 AM
  #11  
rusty vango's Avatar
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,036
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From: knoxville tn
Car: 86 IROC
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: 700-R-4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 open
Re: Maaco body work reliable??

Originally Posted by Lmancha96
I just bought a 91 rs and i am looking to get it painted i'm not trying to go to expensive.

The car has minor rust on the roof and i want to get it removed asap, does anyone have any experience like these with places like maaco?

Maaco being so cheap i was wondering just how reliable they would be will they get the job done correctly (the rust) or will i be wasting money.

Also would it be less expensive if i did the job myself what kind of tools do i need?

Thanks in advance!
the true measure of a paint job. is correct body work where needed, and careful prep.if all maaco has to do is spray your car. and you do the sanding ect yourself the paint job you get from them is acceptable.most use a single stage paint unless you supply some other paint.in general you get good results
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Old Feb 10, 2012 | 01:18 PM
  #12  
thebuffalo's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 239
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From: Seminole, FL
Car: 88 trans am
Engine: 350sb
Transmission: t400
Axle/Gears: 7.5/2.73
Re: Maaco body work reliable??

Originally Posted by tommyr848
Going to Clarksville, TN maaco to get my 89 firebird priced for paint... Has a dent in the hood and fender were a truck backed over it before I got the car... Would it be cheaper to just buy a fender and hood from a junkyard with no dents in them or let maaco deal with it?
Yes.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 08:17 AM
  #13  
Lmancha96's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
From: Houston,Texas
Car: 1992 Camaro (Z28 Clone)
Engine: LB9|TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Maaco body work reliable??

Thanks for all the info guys.


I have a buddy who knows how to do body work i will most likely let him help me and then take it to a couple of shops and get some quotes.
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Old Feb 12, 2012 | 12:15 PM
  #14  
Wild Weasel's Avatar
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 97
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From: Morris, IL
Car: 1989 RS Drop-Top
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Maaco body work reliable??

Had mine painted 3 years ago. Did all the body and painted. Work was very good but you get what you pay for. $2200. There are as many Pro's as there are Con's with Maaco. Find a good shop and check out some of their work, Then make up your own mind.
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Old Feb 12, 2012 | 12:51 PM
  #15  
lordmetalz28's Avatar
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 482
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From: hudson valley, NY
Car: 1987 Z28 with iroc-z Package no.3
Engine: 350TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi
Re: Maaco body work reliable??

Originally Posted by Wild Weasel
Had mine painted 3 years ago. Did all the body and painted. Work was very good but you get what you pay for. $2200. There are as many Pro's as there are Con's with Maaco. Find a good shop and check out some of their work, Then make up your own mind.

actually for 2200 I feel i did well. considerning the fact everybody wanted between 8000$ and 12000$. im a homeowner i couldnt justify paying more for a paint job then for siding windows and roofing. im very pleased with my job
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Old Feb 12, 2012 | 06:35 PM
  #16  
86camaro17's Avatar
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Joined: Dec 2010
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Transmission: manual
Re: Maaco body work reliable??

i got maaco paint and dent fixed just friday love it
Attached Thumbnails Maaco body work reliable??-marob.jpg   Maaco body work reliable??-marobb.jpg  
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Old Feb 12, 2012 | 07:22 PM
  #17  
Wild Weasel's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 97
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From: Morris, IL
Car: 1989 RS Drop-Top
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Maaco body work reliable??

Originally Posted by lordmetalz28
actually for 2200 I feel i did well. considerning the fact everybody wanted between 8000$ and 12000$. im a homeowner i couldnt justify paying more for a paint job then for siding windows and roofing. im very pleased with my job

I had 4 estimates on my rs, all between 7000 and 11000. I had replaced both front fenders and was told that they would have to come off to do a decent job. Something to do with "need to paint the inside"
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