I tried to get that done at maaco during one of the $200 sales. Unfortunately, the actual estimate was about $600. He kept explaining that if I wanted the warranty, I'd have to get this, this, this, this.... and suddenly 200 turned into 600. Ended up doing it myself, looks great.
No - But Ive seen cars painted by Maaco. Not pretty. Virtually no prep, runs, overspray. Just not quality work. Of course, it's a franchise business so your results may vary. Go in and ask to see some of their current work. Oh, and if you're thinking about the $300 paint job; Skip it
Bodywork and paint is one area where you definitely get what you pay for! It's one area where you'll be looking at it (and maybe kicking yourself) for a very long time!
Yeah, I realized that after I saw some results. But I also researched the 50 dollar paint job (a lot). I ended up doing that, messing it up a little, and actually spending about 100. Still much better than 600, and I controlled the quality.
don't do it just do a search on google about it i seen some threads about it //// once my dad wanted a falcon repainted and took it there and they painted over a plum that had fell off a tree at there shop over night and a bunch of over spray /// then when you complain about something they tell you what do you expect for a 600 $ pait job // and thats with no body work // maybe some sanding if you get lucky
Years ago a neighbor of mine brought home his car after being painted at Maaco. Pulled up to the house and everyone was checking it out. When he wound up the driver's side window there was a big green stripe across the middle of the window. After a few weeks a 1 ft diameter circle of paint bubbled on the passenger side door.
Prep is the secret to a good paint job. Reading all these horror stories show that prep was not done. I seen great paint jobs come from Maaco and Earl Scheib but the owner did all the prep work. The guy at Maaco probably paints more cars in a day that the average bodyshop paints in a month. They also has a better paint booth. I'm sure if tou took a box of doughnuts and talked to the manager about painting you car last so it could sit inside the paint booth that night. It wouldn't be a bad idea to ask him to let his best painter spray the car. Talk to the guy who will be doing the painting...buy his lunch...slip him a Ben Franklin...slip the manager one too...be there friend and they will treat you right.
My son work at at a Maaco prepping cars about 3 years back. They threaten to fire him for sanding the cars too much. KPL
Jeff hit it on the head. Buddy up with them and make it clear your willing to spend a little extra to get it done right, and they'll treat you right. Our Mustang was painted there, and it came out nice. It was 4 different colors prior to being painted. We did some prep work ourself prior to taking it. It's no show car, but it's very obviously not a $50 backyard job either. Had it done in the spring of 2007, the car sits outside 24/7 and still looks great. Ended up costing about $750.
i stopped by one morning to see what they would paint my car for and how long it would take. the guy told me a price and then said..."go across the street and eat brekfast and it will be ready when you get back." i told him that was a little toooooo... quick.
