Maaco Paint Job [Merged 2-7]

[RedTurboEclipse]

How much would maaco charge just to paint a front bumper an oem color.

 

[DRated]

Go there and ask. I'm sure that if painting the car is around $500, then just the front bumper (removed) should be half that.

 

[splattj]

Go there and ask. I'm sure that if painting the car is around $500, then just the front bumper (removed) should be half that.

My MAACO would paint any panel for $100 if it was off the car and ready to spray. $250 is probably accurate if the bumper needs to be prepped and the car needs to be masked off. Though, to be honest, I wouldn't trust MAACO with color matching..... maybe your car's black?

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

I wouldnt let maaco touch my black car. That was nicely painted at a reputable shop, and its not oem black. It's for my other GSX, I just did the 97-99 front conversion on it. It's the stock red, and so is the bumper I got, but its a little beat up. I was hoping they would only charge $100 and they do prep, paint, etc. $250 I believe other bodyshops will do it for that price.

I will have to inquire when i have the chance, I was hoping someone had previous experience.

 

[wvturbo2]

My friend got the hardtop painted on his Miata for something really cheap don't remember and since its considered a spot job it has a lifetime warranty on it. He had to have them fix some problems, but hell it doesn't look bad, but who knows how long it will stay looking good. My friend told them to cover everything, becasue he was worried about overspray and they did ok, but i watched them trying to scrub overspray off a cars tires rims and exhaust. Take the time to mask it off it will save you effort in the long run. If its somethign little go for it, but for the entire car unless you plan on selling it don't do it.

 

[JaxTalonTSi]

I'm going to be sending my 2g to MAACO within the next week or two for a respray, same color (I'm completly against color changes from ANY paint shop unless the car has been stripped down inside and out to ensure it is done completely. The majority of color change jobs come out like crap because you can't possibly get into EVERY area as long as the interior/engine ect. are still in the vehicle).

I'm doing my own prep/body work including wetsanding. I am also removing the lights, trim, exahust, putting on some crappy wheels and tires, and taking off anything I don't want overspray on. As said before, a paint job is only as good as the prep job, and thats what MAACO sucks at. I'm expecting the car to come out great for the money, and I will post pictures of the car as I make progress.

 

[Wildman95GS-T]

I got my 95 gs-t painted at maco about a month ago, you get what you pay for no extras, they told me i did not have to wax the car and if i did to wait for a few months. I wash with car wash and dry with a shammey. The car looked ok, but the bumpers have water spots that they say will come off and look like crap. If i were you and i should have done it , get your car painted at a good paint and body shop and pay the extra it will be worth it.

 

[mosul210]

Dude, any reputable body shop doesn't use 4 coats base, 4 coats clear. They spray until their is a mil thickness, then usually one good coat of clear then color sand and buff.

That is exactly how it works. My car just received a 2 stage paint job, with 3 coats of clear. Now they are going to sand it to remove any imperfections and buff it. Maybe I'll post some pics once completed, dont see too many clean 1G's - well atleast not as many as I would like to see.

 

[TSIMonsteR]

I'm going to be sending my 2g to MAACO within the next week or two for a respray, same color (I'm completly against color changes from ANY paint shop unless the car has been stripped down inside and out to ensure it is done completely. The majority of color change jobs come out like crap because you can't possibly get into EVERY area as long as the interior/engine ect. are still in the vehicle).

I'm doing my own prep/body work including wetsanding. I am also removing the lights, trim, exahust, putting on some crappy wheels and tires, and taking off anything I don't want overspray on. As said before, a paint job is only as good as the prep job, and thats what MAACO sucks at. I'm expecting the car to come out great for the money, and I will post pictures of the car as I make progress.

MAACO uses low quality paint as well. If you think you are going to be satisfied, you have a rude awakening a short time in the future.

MAACO = for EVERYTHING, not just prep work.

Head my warning, I was in the same shoes as you and gave MAACO a chance. That was definitely 800 dollars I wish I would have spent elsewhere.

 

[JaxTalonTSi]

I'm going to be sending my 2g to MAACO within the next week or two for a respray, same color (I'm completly against color changes from ANY paint shop unless the car has been stripped down inside and out to ensure it is done completely. The majority of color change jobs come out like crap because you can't possibly get into EVERY area as long as the interior/engine ect. are still in the vehicle).

I'm doing my own prep/body work including wetsanding. I am also removing the lights, trim, exahust, putting on some crappy wheels and tires, and taking off anything I don't want overspray on. As said before, a paint job is only as good as the prep job, and thats what MAACO sucks at. I'm expecting the car to come out great for the money, and I will post pictures of the car as I make progress.

This is really late, but I remembered this thread, and I thought to post pics up:

When I brought the car to Maaco, I removed all of the lamps, moldings, ect., anything I didn't want them to possibly paint over. They did a 2 stage base/clear with extra clear in the origional color. When I recieved it back, I was pleased. No runs or blemishes, although they did get some overspray on the fuel tank and a bit on the muffler. Not bad for a $800 paint job, not to mention now the car is alot more respectable looking. Doing most all the prep work yourself really pays off. I also bought all new drip and door moldings, which really makes a difference as well.

Some old pictures right after the paint job, I have added a 97-99 front since...

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Before:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[Myplague797]

I just got my car painted at MAACO. They did a good job and it was a deal for what they wanted. (500$) When other places wanted 1,200$. I liked it and when I bought it it was painted at Maaco back in 2000. After 7 Years it started to fade and crack from a constant out door heat of 115. So, you'll be fine for 5-7 Years. I say go for it.

 

[Weenie4]

4 coats of clear coat

sounds like crap. When a 2 stage paint job is performed, the base coat is sprayed on (matte finish), and Its almost hard to make it run, so 4 coats would be ok. But then to spray 4 coats of clear doesn't make sense, because typically anymore than 2 will run or crack. once I tried to spray 3 coats of clear, and it ran like crazy.
but I don't have too much expierience, so I don't know if a skilled professional could spray four.

I've been painting for a while and i've put atleast 3 usually 4 or 5 coats of clear on all of my paint jobs. More clear makes a deeper appearance in the finish. it just takes a lot of practice to get it to not run past 2 coats. Anymore than like 6 coats though will orange peel and usually bubble up without wet sanding between coats.

 

[marsh63]

i worked at a Maaco for last summer. when i was there we only had about 15 people out of close to 300 people complain about the servic that was preformed. most of which just wanted us to spray paint over a non preped surface. the other ones were nit picking over body work that they didnt pay us to do not the paint.

Maaco uses two kinds of paints which are single stage and basecoat/clearcoat

the single stage paint is the cheap stuff which you will not be happy with if you have high expectations/want it to look like a show car. it is usally used to make crap look like better crap. turn and burn the car situations. its uses the paint with the clearcoat mixed in then sprayed. this paint cannot be cut and buffed easily and usally has a kinda orange peel look to it.

the basecoat clearcoat is used for insurance work and their signture series paint jobs and is just like factory car paint. we did not have one unhappy customer who perchused this package. as for this service we spary a sealer then do 2 coats of color then a clear coat(you can pay like another 150 for 2 clearcoats). turns out really good all the time. this service with out prep in washington is 1200

as for the prep work goes you get what you pay for. if you go with the value prep it will turn out decent as for the supreme it is a $100 and turns out a hell of alot better.

i will be painting both my tahoe and talon here soon so ill post up pics when i am done. yes i am doing my own prep/body work and then going to have maaco paint it.

my thing is i dont understand why if Maaco is so crappy why are they still in biusines and one of the biggest aftermarket painting places?

as of right now i dont work there anymore due to school but my boss wants me back. i m currently working on getting a job at a another paint shop to make more money.

any questions about maaco ask me i used to work there.

 

[meliketoball]

My friend got his car a painted at Maaco..it looked fine but then when I sat in the car, there was overspray on the dash and steering wheel!

 

[phaseoneracing]

I work at a body shop. Im a paint tech. No shop here in R.I is going to do any more than 3 coats of clear. however no less than 2....you spray the base until it is covered...not a set number..and you put 2 coats of clear..that is enough to wet sand and buff if necesary..to be honest if you dont got the money just try the maaco job then find somebody to wet sand and buff it one month later. you might be happy...its not gonna last as long but it could be worth the shot

 

[my dreamt dsm]

i know this thread is old but.
it's not maaco... it's the people that work there. i had a guy paint my civic for a decent job. i refer my buddy to another maaco painted his del sol red, came out 9/10 no flaws except for a little spot inside the bumper. my in law painted his 97 gsr pearl black, came out 10/10 no mistakes or nothing.
then my other buddies 98 gst spyder went in to a new maaco that opend near us. painted his car like crap 5/10. bumps here, poor sanding which you could tell by the paint cause it was rough, paint nipples, painted some tape under the paint, it was just nasty... not only that, because his car was turbo, they probably took it for a spend and ended up with an extra 35 miles...
just got to know which guy is the punk and which guy is there to do a good job...
my civic 2.5 years after maaco, of course you have to take care of it also
<a href="http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa207/sayianfuzion/?action=view&current=theredej1017-1-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa207/sayianfuzion/theredej1017-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

the good thing bout maaco is that they don't really charge paint. when i wanted to paint my civic it was 1200 cause milano red is expensive, maaco was just 900....

 

[zhjiln]

had my car done at maaco this past week.... " Antique White"

$800 ......

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[klze25200]

That looks fresh for 800 bucks...NICE!

 

[zhjiln]

That looks fresh for 800 bucks...NICE!

thanks for the comment, and 1 minute after i posted it ... thats fast...

 

[turBoJoe99]

So I'm about 2 weeks away from getting a paint job, I have exactly $1200 bux for a paint job, I need a full paint job, and jus want a simple stripe side graphic on the side with GST lettering.... GOD FORBID if i go to Maaco ### these horror stories are scaring the shit outta me, ....SOOOO! is it possible to find a good paint for 1200 bux???? IF SOMEONE IS LOOKING FOR AN EXTRA 1000-1200 BUX FOR A SIDE JOB LET ME KNOW.. I'm located in Massachusetts !?
SOMEONE HELP
COMMENTS APPRECIATED!

[email protected]
AIM: BURRBOI16

 

[afsdsm]

Its not really macco thats a no no, its single stage paint. It will fade dramaticly within a year, and may even flake right off the car. Go for a good base coat clear coat paint job.
I would love to paint your car for you but unless you want to drive to florida and hang out for a week, i would just find a small body shop in your area that does good work cheap.

 

[rock1t]

Well, going with maaco is super cheap, like 200 right? So you figure if your paint flakes off or fades, then with 1200 dollars you can have your car painted 6 times. Maybe one of those times they would get it right.

But check around with your local shops and make sure you see their older work and newer work.

 

[DWR-DSM]

I got to hate my car before I take it to macco. All my friends or ppl I kno who went there was upset with their work they almost got into a fist fight.

 

[bvass]

I have been to 5 different MAACOs and paid between 200-1500 at a time and I was disappointed every single time. They absolutely suck! Realistically a good paint job will cost you a little more, so I suggest you wait a little longer and save some more money. Whatever you do don't go to Maaco.

 

[rock1t]

I got to hate my car before I take it to macco. All my friends or ppl I kno who went there was upset with their work they almost got into a fist fight.

I mean I really hope no one is expecting a FOOSE paint job or a meguiars finish from MAACO. In the paint world, you get what you pay for. The majority of paint is prep, if you don't prep good, then its not going to be good.