Maaco paint job this summer

[DSM_6SL2 Power]

Obviously maaco does not have a very good reputation. This winter, with all the snow, sand, and rock on the road has really took a toll on my cars paint job this summer. Currently I have a white talon with a black top. It's so scuffed up and chipped everywhere that if your pretty close to it, it looks horrible. Further away it's really not noticeable, but it still bothers me.

I assume people will agree, with maaco the reputation is usually based from place to place, not just maaco in a hole. With that said I know a maaco with a pretty good reputation. Im just looking to get something that will last 2-3 years until I do it the right way. Im going to go with some black color(recommendations on what black what be appreciated) Im looking for a very dark dark black.

Now for the questions...

I'll probably go for the AMBASSADOR or the PRESIDENTIAL. Does anyone have set prices on these two? Can someone explain each of those to me and the differences? Do they do the same kind of prep work no matter what stage you get? What kind of prepping is it? How do you go about painting the black tops on talons? Is it just the same as everything else?

 

[Deadpool]

Seriously the Maco paint job will just make matters worse, I have seen a lot of them last less than a year before they start rusting out. For what it would cost for the high end Maco you should be able to get a decent one from a real paint shop.

 

[DSM_6SL2 Power]

Thanks for the advice, but thats not really what I was asking. Can everyone please refrain from telling me not to, no matter how tempting it is?

 

[turbosax2]

These sound like questions to ask your local Maaco. Just give em a call.

 

[98GSXtreme07]

I agree with Turbosax. Even though you say they're not very reputable they should still give you all the information that your asking and give you the quotes you need. I would hope they have a somewhat friendly customer service. I know this isn't what your really asking for but I would give them a call.

 

[red97tib]

I got the MAACO paint job just about 1 1/2 years ago. I'm not going to preach about how bad it sucks, but it does. As for your questions, just drive over to the place and stop in and ask the questions. When I got my car painted, I went to like 5 different places and had them explain what they did to paint cars. I did the same to MAACO, just drive over with the car, have a guy look it over. Ask how they will do certain things, costs, what different materials are used, that kind of thing. It only takes 15 minutes.

 

[cruisintalonawd]

I do painting at work and I've never heard those terms before maybe because we use BASF RM paint. Price of doing it could range from $100(doing it yourself) to maybe $1000 depending on what they need to do. I would guess that one of the stages they sand and buff it more to make it look more of a "show" quallity finish. What I did to paint the top was sanded it with 320grit then painting two coats of the black then sand that off with 600grit to get it smooth, then painted black again with about 3 or 4 coats then I put about 4 coats of clear on.

 

[DSM_6SL2 Power]

Alright, ill give them a call someday, if anyone has any answers, feel free to post them.

What about painting the black top on talons though, its jsut the same as painting anyting else right?

I think im going to go with obsidian black, does anyone have a paint code for that? Maybe pictures?

 

[cruisintalonawd]

that paint code depends on what paint company you go with

 

[outkastracing]

hey man if your looking for a local shop i can help you i have some friends that had brand new paint booth and do awsome work its in seattle but there good! dont do the maaco just save up and get one that will last! im here in aberdeen ill help you if you want it!

 

[DSM_6SL2 Power]

Wierd, someone from where I live. Whats your name, I wonder if Ive heard of you.

 

[steeda763]

The way Maaco and other economy paint shops get away with such cheap paint jobs is minimizing the labor. How do they do this? They induce minimal preparation. Instead of sanding your existing paint, they'll scuff it with a scouring pad, or they won't scuff it at all. Also, removing trim and lights costs more in labor versus masking them off. Spraying the car is done the same way regardless of how much you pay. The cost of paint will fluctuate a little bit, depending on the brand name, type, and quality.

If you're concerned with cost and have a little extra time, do your own prep work and then take the car to be sprayed. It's not hard, but it is quite tedious.

$4000 paint jobs cost that much for a reason.

I had my Mustang repainted at Maaco years ago with the $500 job, whichever that one is called. It was pretty terrible.