Are those maaco jobs any good?
I'm gonna be preparing my body and I'm seriously considering maaco.
I heard that the base package uses centari enamel not polyurthane.
Feed back is nice.

 

Maco cheap jobs are crap, but if you do the body work and sand it yourself (as you have already done) and then take it down and spend between 700-1200 dollars (maybe more depending on paint and such) they will do a very good job. A friend of mine had his 73 duster done up in lime light (Lime green) for about 1200, looks real good and is alot cheaper than anybody else in town for paint.

 

I guess it all depends on where you go... I'd try to find a friend or somebody you know who's been to that specific place... Get their opinion... Even try lookin at their job... If you really don't want to paint it yourself, I guess it's alright. Don't expect the best job in the world if you want it low cost...

Dave Matthews said it best... You pay for what you get...

 

bare sheetmetal rusts very quickly. just leaving the car outside on a foggy night is enough for visible rust to be apparent the next day.

aerosol spray can primer is very pourous and will not prevent corrosion.

 

With body work..........

Good
Fast
Cheap

Choose any two.

 

dont get maaco to paint your car! i got mine painted by them a little over a year ago and it is bubbling off in so many places i cant count. im real pissed. but anyways i guess next time i get it painted im goin to spend a little more than the $350 i spent and get it done right. im also thinking about switching the color to the electron blue metallic of the 2002 vetts....

 

this subject is much talked about on this board.

For a quickie answer:
1. Prep your own car
2. Research the shop since they are franchises
3. See some finished work.
4. See the same finished car prior to being painted to compare
5. don't get the cheap, get their top of line with clear coat
6. Ask for the best paint man to do your car otherwise who knows
7. Check in often and early while your car is there
8. Know your warrenty and use it if need be.
9. Wetsand yourself when finished-BIG difference
10. Have patience with them and yourself.

I had my car done there because it was what I could afford at the time but I demanded a lot from them and got it. don't be shy with your money or your car. Going on year 3 of this paint job and all is well. 2 more years and then I strip to the metal and go top notch. If I get 5 years out of a MAACO paint job I think they did well. :lala:

 

I totally agree with 86Nite.....this topic is covered almost every week. I wish more people would search before posting topics...BTW 86Nite, I love your car.

I've had three cars painted at Maaco over the years, and they were fine. But, the results vary from store to store.

 

If you do the prep yourself, and don't plan on keeping the car for more than a couple of years, their paint jobs are O.K. Another option, is go to a local body shop, and see what they would charge just to shoot the car. Sometimes some of the employees at these shops will do a little moonlighting and you could get a good deal.

 

971le is definately right, see if someone will do a job on the side first,

 

I guess I'm the only one that say's to paint your car yourself. The skills you will learn from doing the paint yourself can be used for the rest of your life. I did mine over 5 months ago and the paint still looks flawless except for a rock chip I got yesterday from an 18 wheeler. I used a 1 stage paint too (no clear coat) I cant wait to find an 88 up IROC to fix up and do a base/clear coat job to it.

 

I have sprayed three cars so far but I'm looking for some input about maaco stuff.
See Here's the thing my compressor is only 33 gallon and that isn't enough capacity.
Maybe for a low pressure grabity feed but whatever.
I don't feel like turning my garage or driveway into a spray booth if you get what I'm sayin.
I'm gonna look into maaco some more and see if it's woth it.