Podium

iTrader: (2)

Going to bring the car to macco for some paint. The shop has a great rep and I have seen their work. My car is black and scratched to you know what. So I can get the highest level single stage for 650 or the first level base/clear for around 1k. I wash my car once a week and wax it at least three times a season. My questions is, which will look better and last longer? The base/clear is two coats of base and two coats of clear. My question is, is it worth it to spend another 500 or so and get the base/clear or just spend the 650 on the single?

I want this to last about three or so years.

skirkland1980

iTrader: (2)

The main problem with the base-clear is clear clear may peel off. I personally always do a single stage. You can buff it and not be able to tell the difference.

2007xl50

Sounds like you take care of the car so I think single stage would be fine for you, just have to keep her waxed. I'm going single stage satin black on my RS whenever I paint it.

blackbmagic

Base clear wins every time. You dont get the depth with single stage paints like you do with bc/cc.

You dont get the same UV resistance, or chemical resistance. Single stages are not generally as hard as cc depending on what you go with. Which is a good thing sometimes. SS is very very easy to buff out.

Its difficult to keep SS looking like day one when it was painted. Needs regular waxing and protecting.

I shoot both often depending on what I am doing. I prefer the ease of shooting single stage, but I also prefer outcome of bc/cc and how maintenance free it is after shooting.

They are two different animals. You have to really research it. Painting is not something you want to do more than once.

Above all else the body work is key. You will never be happy with something when its sprayed over sanding marks, scuffs, dents, warps, ect.. Its only nice if its sprayed over a super smooth surface.

NowhereFast

Base/Clear for sure.

navy02ws6

Do they offer a better quality base/clear for more money? That's the route I'd go if you are on a super tight budget and have to use Maaco.

Plan on wetsanding that single stage job if you want it to have anything resembling a shine.

dads old blue 9

I painted a bronco outside with cintari single stage and it looked new maco will intergrate the clear into the ss paint if you ask them what you have to watch out for with them is their prep and tape work this is done by the newest guy in the shop and you will find paint in lots of places where there was none before FYI

IROCgiraffe

iTrader: (3)

I would not consider MAACO for a quality refinish. Overspray everywhere, sub-par repair work are what I have experienced. Although every location is different.

navy02ws6

Agreed, we have a freshly painted Maaco car here at work, and it is without a doubt the worst paintjob I have ever seen. Way too much metal flake, overspray everywhere, and no shine whatsoever.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

All that washing and waxing is doing more harm to your paint then good.


I agree, Macco is a waste of money, unless you got good connections and are just borrowing the booth.

Anyone can paint a car.

A paint job is only as good as the prep that is done before the base color is ever sprayed.

Macco is known for doing little to no prep.

Coolwheels84

iTrader: (5)

C'mon guys. You can't just bash the Maaco name as a whole. You know as well as I do that they are all different. There are Maaco's out there that do outstanding work just as there are ones that put out crap work. The Maaco that painted my car is known locally for doing high quality restorations on muscle cars and classics as well as it's normal insurance stuff. As long as he does his homework and see's their work in person, he'll be happy.
As far as your question, I would also go with their bc/cc paint. That's what I went with, but I paid extra for their top of the line with 3 coats of clear. Couldn't be happier with their bodywork or paint quality.