is maaco any good? I got a car ready for paint...
 

usually I use these guys here 'econo'. when I get them a car they do a real good job, because they're always quite impressed with the prepping I do. (I'm so good!) and I tip them:D
but still I think they spray a little dry. slightly orange peel like. I'd rather have a runner here and there then dry paint. I've seen some maaco jobs and they were very fat in paint, but the taping sucked big time.
anyone have exp. with them? what are their different options in paint-quality/price?
I'd do it myself if I had a booth. but for the money these guys charge I can't even get the gallon of spies hecker I'd need...

They are good as long as you don't get the bottom of the line cheapo spray-n-pray Ambassador service. The used car lot I worked for did a few that way. Yes, they looked good, but only for a few months until they started to noticeably fade. Great for moving used cars off the lot but not good if you have pride in your car.

Their Signature service with clear coat is the only way to go.

I'm no big fan of base/ clear. you see everything on it, every little mistake in bondo or primer or sanding you made. I prefer a fat coat with clear in the paint, that you can buff to perfection...
I did a base/clear once, on a Citroen CX25 limousine turbo. black on black leather 2.5 turbo diesel.
it took me 2 weeks to get her ready for paint....
but damn, that car is awesome. nothing like it. no rubber, but ball bearings in front and rear control arms. and then the hydro pneumatic suspension. awesome. tight and smooth on the road like no other car in the world. 34 mpg:D

It would probably be a decent 20ft job. It really depends on your definition of "good" to me a good paint job is done at a quality body shop and runs $3k-$5k.

An "excellent" paint job starts at $10k.

Maaco does a fine job if you do a very complete prep up to and including the final wipedown before they roll it into the paint booth. Pay for the clear. You might be pleasantly surprised if you ask around at the local bodyshops. I had my wife's old Jetta painted by my buddy who owns a shop. I removed EVERYTHING from the car. Door handles, trim, bumper, mirrors, grille, etc. This is the stuff that takes time and costs money. Bring them a clean slate that just needs filling, blocking and then paint and the cost is quite reasonable. RT

There is a Maaco here in Dallas that does fantastic work. The owner took me around the shop and showed me his facility. They use Dimension paint and have their own mixing facility.

That said, as Maaco is a franchise you need to understand that the work is only as good as the people that they hire. Go and check the place out and ask the owner to show you his work.

Good luck

I waiting to get my car back from them right now. There was quite a bit of prep work that needed to be done and I didn't have the time or really the wherewithall to do it, so they're doing the whole shebang. We'll see what comes of it. They have four levels of paint, and I got the second level. The next (the one with the clear coat integrated with the color) was a jump of a little over $300 which I'm sure in a year or so I'll wish I had taken, but for now I'll just try to keep wax on it. If the car is so good to keep me away from new car payments, I'll get her painted again in two years :D

I was thinking of completely stripping everything off of my car and prepping it for a MAACO job.. as well as supplying them with the paint.

If your going to do all of that, why don't you just paint it yourself? For the money you would pay them, you can buy a nice air compressor and half decent gun.

More tools... jeeeze.. Must... resist...


I need some rust repair as well soo... ... I need someone that can weld it up for me. as well as replace my windshield seals...

I really want it to be painted.. I could care less about the AC at the moment.. the shine is what it is all about

Sounds like a winter project to me :)

wish I had a spare car to drive .. if I did .. as well as a garage.. lets just say TheDon would have the cleanest W123... like.. ya know.. Hatty has his super clean W126.. I'd be the cleanest W123...

shaved engine compartment, tucked wires, polished everything, brass or w/e where it is supposed to be... clean as a whistle...

I shall dream

OK guys I will be able to post on this subject on10/19.
I am in D.C. for 10 days. I dropped the 300sdl off at Maaco on my way to the airport. She had 1 palm sized dent to repair, several (10) hickory nut dings in the hood, paint to be stripped from all horizontal surfaces as the original had checkered deep, original color (gold mist) , and the clear with a 4 year gloss warranty......$1,200.

I checked Better Business and online reviews of THIS shop not a problem. Others yes.

I will be happy if it passes the 50/50 test. Car was so bad I had to arrange dates on rainy days. Interior is fine and chiks love the ride and big back seat.

So I will be anxious to report and I WILL.

Hold your breath,

Dave

And a booth???

i made mine out of plastic sheeting and a box fan. It worked pretty well.