M Orta 85

Im a high school student, and i want my car to look good and beat rice rockets. but i need to know about maaco. 3 grand for a paint job is alot for me, i wanted to know about their service and reputation and how else i could get a good job for cheap. thanks.

cobrakiller1989

iTrader: (1)

MAACO will defintely be in your budget. I have not seen much good work come out of there, but i can say i have seen average work come out of there. You wont have the type of paint job that turns heads when you ride by people, but you will have a decent paint job that will last until you can afford to have a $3000+ paint job put on it. I agree with most people when they suggest to do the prep work yourself.
good luck

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*1989 RS
*Red, Daytona Turbo fiberglass hood, chrome 16x8 IROC wheels
*355 CID
*TPI ported plenum, SLP siamesed runners, Edelbrock high flow intake
*Edelbrock TES Headers (getting SLP 1 3/4 this summer)
*Richmond 3.73, Auburn Posi
*Modded 700-R4, 2800 stall converter
*NO recent time slips.

maksik7

You're in the same boat as me. If your dead broke Maaco is your best friend. Do all the prepwork yourself, get one of the better paint quality levels (avoid the I think its called "Ambassador" [aka cheapest] paint like the plague, its 200$ you're gonna throw away) Overall it might cost you 500-700$ (wait for a 1/2 price sale) and you'll get a very presentable paint for your school lot.

-Max

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

Not unless you can save $3,000 in a 6 month to 1 year period unfortunately, but to put a good paint job over a maaco paint job, tack another $500-$1000 onto the price.

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The IROC Homepage
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1991tealRSt-topGuy

ok......i got mine done at maaco......not a bad thing just 1. DO NOT GET THE CHEAPEST JOB
2. HAVE THEM PULL ALL OF YOUR DENTS FOR YOU
3. DO NOT GET THE CAR PAINTED A DIFFERENT COLOR THAN IT IS

mine turned out great and it still looks good today..........

Blue92

I got mine painted at Macco and it turns heads all the time. Just make sure you at least get the Uretane paint with integrated clear. Mine shines great, just keep it washed and it will look good for along time. The only problem is it chips easy., but for $500 I can get redone 6X before it cost me 3000 grand!!

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Pics of my Car
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305TBI, EDL strut tower brace w/spohn SFC's on the way and wonderbar, ASCD big block hood,
Eibach Sportline Springs,
Koni Struts and Shocks,
SSPE lower control arms and Panhard bar,
Hellwig Rear Swaybar and Energy Suspension bushings.Aluminum Driveshaft. Posi-rear



[This message has been edited by Blue92 (edited August 01, 2001).]

ImportsRsloths

I think a lot of it depends on which maaco you go to.... The one i work at it pretty good and everyone knows there $hit (if they like your car, it just might end up looking looking pretty dam close to a show car just ask the guy with the 67 fastback GT 350 mustang that came through last week) ANYWAY heres what to do........
1) PAINT IT THE SAME COLOR (or your screwed)
2) ASK TO CHECK THE PROGRESS EVERDAY (they will do a better job then)
3) get a paintjob where they use clearcoat (i.e. at least $300)

Nightcruzer

As for the prep work, I like the tech article posted under Tech, there is solid advice there. I painted my own car two years ago and haven't had a problem. For more advice, search the Body and Interior boards and this board for posts by Nightcruzer. I listed some more detailed steps on prep and paint.

86NiteRider

iTrader: (10)

I agree with "ImportRoth" and "Blue92". I have a MAACO paint job that turns heads all of the time. But you must do the following:
1. Do not get the cheap job unless you want cheap results

2. Prep your car or monitor their prep work before they paint

3. Know the shop you take your car to. Ask to see other finished cars.

4. Request the best body and fender man and the best painter. In fact ask the manager to personally do your car. This will let them know you are serious.

5. Don't change colors if you don't have to. I changed on my Camaro and it required a lot of touchup and follow up. I did not change on my pick up and it looks great.

6. Know and use your warrenty.

7. Get a clear coat.

8. Wet sand your car when finished. You have to remove the orange peel on a MAACO paint job.

9. Refuse to take your car if it is not right

10. Have your dad or older adult with you everytime you go to the shop. Their is something to be said for experience and they will respect a older adult who seems to be taking an interest in his son's car and money. Besides this is what dad's are for.

MAACO at it's best. I had to stay on them but now my car looks good.



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86 Camaro Black SS Coupe, T Tops, Flowmaster, Custom Paint, Dunlop Road Kings S/R tires, Wheel Country Directional Chrome Wheels,new charcoal & gray interior including seats and door panels, new carpet and headliner, complete front end suspension rebuild, new Valve seals, and more mods to come
http://www.angelfire.com/sports/niterider/86camaro.html
Morgan_Andre@hotmail.com

camaro6spd

my brother just got his 91 lumina painted there for the 200 Ambasador job. It looks really good but it has only be a few days, ummm....there was some overspray and one small run up front near the headlight. It made me think that maybe thair middle to upperpaint jobs were better. yes we did all the body work and pulled the dents our selfs. It is in the back of my mind, I might stop by from time to time and ask to see the middle to better grade jobs to get an overall idea of what they are like, and just keep an eye on the brother to see how long it will last.

M Orta 85

thanks, but if i get a lets say...white car and i want a black one, what should i do?

EVILFACE

Got mine done by them. Decent job for the price. Pics are in my sig.


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Evil's 88 Camaro
Stock 305 TBI Auto, Flowmaster, Full 3" Exhaust, B&M Megashifter, K&N Open Element, MAC Lower Control Arms and Panhard bar

1991tealRSt-topGuy

sell it for a black car

i happen to think white camaro's are really cool.........

tinybfl

I notice a lot of people say keep it the same color. My color happens to be primer. So can i pick and chose.

Brian K

What color are your door jamb, engine well.. Keep it that color..My buddy had his done at a Macco type place. We sanded it smooth, we primed it with several coats wet sanding the final coats. Took it in and they sprayed it. They were impressed with out prepr work... We removed all molding, we took of all decals, emblems ect.. Only 2 spots we had to ahve them fix and it has lasted 2 years.. Granted it is white, but his agrees his next paint job will cost cause he wants it done right, but his car was so bad it could not look any worse. It was so chipped and flaked, but his interior was MINT...

1991tealRSt-topGuy

well what color WAS it??? cuz when you look under the hood and take off some interior panels, your gonna see the original color!!!!!!!!

un4givin89

REMEBER MACCO is a FRANCISE, which means its not really macco as a whole but the MACCO dealer who does your car.

Jay87Z

iTrader: (2)

My car has a Maaco paint job on it that is 3 years old. The previous owners had it done right before they put it up for sale.

When I first got the car, it looked pretty good. Not spectacular, but I was pleased with it.

Now, 3 years later, it looks like blue primer. Its like a nasty flat blue. I think the paint job cost them $300, and I know they didn't do any prep work on their own.

The paint is thin and chips easily. From what I hear, they hardly ever use the paint additive they are supposed to use when painting plastic things (ground efects, bumper covers). It definately shows on my car. Doesn't take much to make the bumper covers crack and look nasty.

Thirdgenfbody.com

What if you paint it yourself ?? how hard is that ??

Jza

That's right. Maaco is a franchise. Now I don't know about Maaco specifically, but generally a franchise means means in order for them to keep their franchise license, they have to follow a set of guidelines so that there is consistancy between each business. And they have to buy their supplies from the franchiser, and follow set methods and techniques.

Take that how you will. I personally wouldn't take a car there if I planned on keeping it longer than two years. If it's life expectancy is less than that (such as a snow beater or a race only car), then I might. It would probably be my first choice out of all the "budget" paint and body facilities (like Peach, Fact-o-bake, etc.).

91Zman

I took my car there to get an estimate on a paint job and some bodywork.One of the questions the manager asked me was How long do I plan on keeping my car,2 years?.I told him til the wheels fall off,a long time.Hmmm...I wonder what he meant by that? hmmm...Your paint jobs don't last more than 2 years?He then suggested to get one of their premium paint jobs with the urethane chemicals and ultraviolet stuff in it.That will cost me $700 when they are done.I'll do the prep work myself though.I'll probably have it done later in the year.Oh and the same color.

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Red 1991 Z/28 350TPI
1973 Camaro(project car)
John Soule' member of the GULFSOUTH FIREBIRD/CAMARO CLUB (NEW ORLEANS) and WORLDWIDE CAMARO ASSOCIATION

[This message has been edited by 91Zman (edited August 07, 2001).]

ImportsRsloths

Man maaco has warranties with their paint jobs for like 7 years i think on the basecoat clearcoat.... i dont really know what that 2 year $hit is about..... anyway, you get to look at the car b4 you pay for it.... if they mess something up..... thats a good time for them to FIX IT!!!