OK. Tell me what you guys think. I picked up a 54 GMC 1st series and am thinking about having it painted. It's solid w/ a couple tiny rust bubbles just below the rear window and some wavy front fenders that could use some attention. All-in-all though, the body is in good shape. Do you think this is something that MAACO could handle? I'm not looking for any show paint job, just something that shines, has good coverage, will last for a bit, and isn't going to set me back more than $1000. Also, if there are any HAMBers up here in Seattle who have experience in body work and would like to take this project on, I'd be more-than-willing to help & learn. Thanks, Anthony
they ****... my boy took his car there and within a year it was rusting everywhere... funny thing is it wasnt rusted before he took it in.
It all depends on the painter and how well it's prepped. My brother-in-law used worked there and he does show type finishes. But he was the Frame guy there! If the surface underneath isn't done right it'll start flaking. Do you know any painters? Ask at local car shows where they got theirs done. MAACO doesn't paint cars, their employees do...
I owned a MAACO. It is a national franchise, but the stores are individually owned, so it depends on the shop owner and staff. Mostly the owner, because he sets the standard for the staff. Go to the store, ask questions, tour the facility to see how clean the booth is, etc. and look at the stuff they turn out. If you are satisfied, go for it, and remember they have a warranty. Then remember that about 90% of the dirt in a paint job comes out of the vehicle. Pressure wash the frame, wheelwells, tires, wheels, and all the nooks and crannies. Let it dry out and then blow out the engine compartment including the cowl, fenders, under the dash and all those other places there is hiding places. Your paint job will be lots better. From my side of the fence, I went crazy because many customers in our area expected perfection for $199, even with the extra care we went to explaining our capabilities. However, I still recognize cars that we painted and they look good, considering the cost.
That is were Rickyracer learned to paint. He does a good job on his stuff. They use really cheap paint there though. Think a good gallon of clear cost almost $200. You get what you pay for.
Those little rust bubbles around the windows will be a lot bigger then you think once you take the windows out and start to dig around. My advise is if you only want to spend $1000 spend it on body work and shoot it in a good 2-part primmer and drive it like that. I know you say you don`t want a show car, and you arn`t too fusy, but once you have shiney paint on it you will be picking out the flaws and be wishing it looked beter, and so will everybody else who looks at it. They`ll say "nice truck, but too bad you didn`t do this" or " too bad you didn`t do that" Just my two cents-Ryan
My first Yankee car, a '70 Buick Riviera, was painted by Fact'O'Bake, the difference between Pepsi and Coke and Maaco as it were. I prepped it and fixed the rust and **** and it was a good paint job. It held up quite well. If'n you're thinking they're gonna fix the deep down problems properly, you're saddly mistaken. But if you prep her right and do all the steps properly I don't think those paint jobs are too bad.
We have Maaco and Earl's and One Day. Most people I know who want a cheap ($300) paint job do ALL their own prep work and take it to One Day to be shot. I know of one local car that's been in magazines that was "sublet" to One Day for the color shot. It's the prep work that counts and the primer has to be compatible with the top coats, so talk to the paint shop of choice about what sub materials to use BEFORE doing any body work. My next door neighbor got his Honda painted "to match the hotrod red" on my Model A (Por(s)ch(e) red) and it's still shiney and hasn't faded and it's been several years, no garage either.
I agree with bondo slinger...if you don't have alot of money to spend on the paint job, spend it wisely then--do all the bodywork & put a nice primer on it, then save up for the paint. In the long run you'll be much happier with the results. I've had many a car painted by Maaco & each one turned out the same--sanding scratches & shrinkage after a month, then you could see all the low spots where they did a quick fix on a dent or chip or whatever. They'll get overspray on everything/everywhere & up here in Seattle most of them use a cheap Sherwin Williams paint that just won't last--they'll call it a "starburst" or some other type of finish & you'll be stripping & repainting it in 2 years (won't that be alot of fun). I admit too, all the cars I had them paint were for quick resale though--thank god. My mother-in law had them paint 2 of her cars & she regrets it now--ever seen a mangy dog? Just my two cents.
Here is all the experience Ive had with the one time I went to Maaco- I bought a 94 wrecked silverado short wide truck for my son- we straightened what we could -put on new parts where we thought it was more than we could fix-then we wet sandedthe whole truck with 320 wetndry- washed it ubder hood inside bed and vac***ed the interior as it was a mess. we took it to Columbia Mo Maaco store and after reviewing their offerings and policies decided on the 450.00 urethane job with integrated clear in topcoat["NASON" BRAND- A SECOND LINE OF DUPONT].we saw some dings and other work that ammounted to 17 hours extra . we had a total of 650.00 spent.they had it about 4-5 days.....we went and picked it up and it looked nice- had a nice even gloss and no runs- the down dide was it was a shade or so bluer than the teal it was -but even at that a nice color-they painted it inside bed and all of outer body. my son had a set of 8-9" wheels tht stuck out too far and about almost a year of driving it throwing **** on paint and pressure washing it -it peeled along the bottom some [between wheels] kinda our fault really.he took it back on the guarantee[1year pealing and gloss]they said "we are gonna have to redo this!I thought it meant a touch up or such- we left it and when picked up they had done the whole thing the same as first time!it lasted him out- sold it to his cousin ,he drove two years and he sold to a kid in a town near here- 6 years have gone by and setting outside all that time it still looks decent.....how can there be any thing wrong with that deal? I have painted many cars over the years- I would not hesitate to do my own prep and have them spray my car in the future.....Just my opinion.
i used to work at a maaco and the only cars that turned out nice were ones that didn't really need much prep, or the ones that the customers prepped themselves, the rest of em got totally butchered.they rush alot at maaco,well at least at the one i worked at they did ,the boss would be calling the customers to say there car was ready just before it went in the booth,if a customer brought in a rusty car and said they wanted it perfect for 300$ we'd just fill it full of bondo,paint it and they'd love it.but like everyone else has said"you get what you pay for".
I think too a point to make is not everyone has the equiptment or ability to paint their ride- so its an option for them to get it under color.....also its a way if as many have said to duplicate the ultimate traditional hot rod paint job!....faded and slightly peeling"patina"or is that "character"?!
I have seen Maaco & Scheib jobs (good jobs & not-so-good). If you keep an open mind & do your own prep you'll probably be satisfied.
i would do what ever body work that needs to be done, prep it, and let them paint it. they paint pretty good, well at least the ones around here do.
I did all the prep work and had my mom's car painted there. Was really happy, the key like everyone says is to do your own prep. They also have specials/coupons where it was cheaper for me than than the cost of materials and renting a booth. Also try a junior college, some offer great begginer cl***es where you can work and learn on your own car!
here 's a MAACo job about 2 yrs old , I think it was done for $400 because it was 2 tone the car is pretty much flawless and still looks good today, its also garaged and driven only in good weather
nvr2red, Got a question for you.. We had my wifes Honda painted at Maaco (during the annual Feb half price sale).. We got the next to best since it was a daily driver that sat outside and here body was good. I believe the top job has the clear put on seperately rather then mixed in with the paint and shot on. Is the top of the line Maaco job really that much better.. (just curious) Our faded really quickly with the mixed in clear.....
You CANNOT generalize, with MAACO. As someone said, they are individually owned and operated. Each owner has different standards, and different employees. You need to shop around to different ones in your area to see who has the best workers. There were 3 in the part of Jersey where I had my shop. 2 did absolutely **** work, but one had an excellent painter. The owner realized he had to pay a painter good money, if he wanted a good one. The prep and BW guys were ****ty, though. I did a lot of cars for friends/relatives, on the cheap. I did the bodywork, and sanding, getting it ready the right way. Then I would schedule an appointment at the "good" MAACO, personally talk to the painter, and explain the work I did, and what I expected. I also supplied the paint (and got a couple bucks subtracted from the price). I bought good name brand acrylic enamel, with the hardener, to have good quality, AND the correct color! I usually slipped the painter a $20 bill to be sure he understood I wanted a nice job. I was very happy with all the paint work, until it changed owners. It was worth the extra $100 or so that I spent to get the good paint myself. Shop around, get to know the owner/or manager, and the painter. See how well he shoots, and how clean his paint jobs come out, and if you can supply good paint..don't take their word that they will put on "the good stuff"...they probably won't, they make more money with their cheap synthetic enamel, and use it every chance they get. If they aren't up to snuff..go elsewhere!
I can only say that I think places such as these shops really provide a great service to the lo-buck car-nut.I know they are not for everyone,but for those that dont have or cant afford all of the tools you need to do it-its great.Granted you may not win the Oakland Roadster show,they do a plenty good paint job for everyday use and if you take care of it,it should last for several years.Thats too bad, Im having so much fun in primer,I dont think I even want the shiny paint bluuuues yet!
years ago i had a couple cars done.you should do your prep work or it will just look like a cheap paint job.i got a decent deal by painting one in janurary.out of three paintjobs one was bad and the other two were ok.
[ QUOTE ] Also try a junior college, some offer great begginer cl***es where you can work and learn on your own car! [/ QUOTE ] This is probably the best bang for the buck in terms of getting a decent paintjob for the absolute least amount of money. 7 years ago I wanted to paint my wife's '64 Valiant, but didn't have access to a compressor or garage, so I took a night cl*** at the local Technical High School. For a cl*** fee of $240, I was able to spend eight cold Monday nights in a nicely heated shop with access to a full toolroom loaded with good tools, MIG welders, DA's, long boards, dent pullers, hammers, dollies, etc. and all the filler & sandpaper I could use. The last night of the cl***, the instructor shot the car in the school's pro-quality downdraft spraybooth. I had to buy the paint myself, and got some Omni (PPG budget line) basic black for I think around $100 or so. Total investment was 2 months of Monday nights and about $340, and it came out pretty damn fine if I do say so myself. Another idea is to hang around your local auto paint dealer and ask if they know anyone that does work on the side - that's how I got a pro to paint my '67 Mustang fastback for low bucks back when I was in school. Good luck, let us know what you end up doing.
You get what you pay for!!! ... I worked at Maaco and we always bought the CHEAPEST materials if your car is kept ouside it wont last a year before it fades. Even if you pay for their "best paint and service" you're just paying in advance for them to paint it again . because they use the same paint
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