Maaco Paint Job?

[bubobronco]

Almost hate to ask but I'm curious if anyone has had good luck with Maaco paint jobs. I have a couple very small/minor rust repairs on the existing paint job and am gonna totally switch colors on the '74 I recently bought. Seems like some paint shops don't want to deal with any body repair on older vehicles. Maaco said no problem, they specialize in that and do a lot of classic cars... But it's Maaco..... Anyone??

 

[Sporto]

The Maaco near my house is well known for painting older cars. I see them there all the time. The manager gave me an estimate on doing some extensive bodywork and clean up on my Bronco along with their medium level paint job and it was around 2K. I did not go that route, but they were very easy to talk to and interested in my business.

I did have them paint my Camry a few years ago, and the car still looks great. However it was just a repaint, no real bodywork.

For the money it was worth it.

Rich

 

[AZ73]

Had a buddy get a quote from a dealer to paint a Honda Accord for $6500. The car was a cheap vehicle to use at a second home in AZ. They kept it parked outside at the airport and used it when they were in town. I told him not to waste his money and just get a macco job. It came out so nice that after 5 years when they moved here permanently they sold their other car and kept the Honda. They JUST sold it about 3 months ago after using it for 8 years. Still looked good. There was some overspray on door rubber and window trim since they don't remove things. They tape. But I was impressed. It was $399 when they had it done. They lightly sand then paint over your old paint. If you want more than that it's extra.

 

[NGABronco]

Maaco is a chain, but it's not like McDonalds, what comes out is not the same. Paint shops don't like rust because it's difficult to tell how bad it is until you tear into it and you really need to remove it all. You can "patch" a rusted area and it will last awhile??? You ever know how long???

You also mentioned color change and that's a large can of worms!! Usually twice the price due to painting the door jams, under hood area, maybe even the dash. Those $399 jobs only get you a light sanding and a coat of paint on the outside of the vehicle.

Get a detailed price from anyone, before you commit!!! Good Luck!!!;D;D;D

 

[Eoth]

I had them do mine. For the price I was very pleased. Was it perfect? No.. Is anything on my rig perfect? No.... All I can suggest is to wander around their business and look at the quality of work coming out of the shop. Second, ask to speak with the exact person who will be doing the job. Basically speaking you want to interview him. On top of that, I feel it creates a better feeling that he isnt just painting a Bronco, he is painting YOUR Bronco. If he doesnt care about the job, then it will show.
Remember every shop is different and has different people working there.

 

[Glass Pony]

I had a 1986 Bronco II repainted by Maaco in northeast Wilmington, DE in the mid 1990's for $350 and they did a pretty good job.
I removed the bumpers and emblems for them.
It was good enough for me to joke "at this price for a paint job I'm not even going to bother with waxing it!"
Over the years it held up very well but you know the saying "your results may vary".

 

[Bukin 67]

I've had them paint mine twice. First time was around 1990 over a primer red that was on it when I got it for about $650. The last time was early last year, same color for about $750. Both included minor body work and they used a uv inhibitor.

They offer different levels of paint jobs. I waited until a sale was going on for one of their cheaper jobs. I figure if I'm going to be out there getting roosted and going through brush it's just what I need. The experience of the person actually spraying it will make a difference as well.

Like Eoth said, it's not 'perfect' but a very nice job. I took off all trim and emblems. I keep mine in the garage which helps keep the paint looking like new. I also use 'wax as you dry' spray wax about every other time I wash it. You can see pix in my garage

Welcome to the site!

 

[blamejane]

This all sounds pretty positive, certainly worth further investigation. I had no idea that the reviews on Maaco would be so positive.

 

[MartyG]

I had my painted by a "1 Day Paint & Body" which was bought out by Maaco.
$1650 for a complete color change w/ two paint colors (top and body)...
not perfect and some over spray here and there but 4 years later I'm still happy.

 

[pa69broncoguy]

I read an article in car craft a wile ago they had very good results but they prepped the car and had all the major bodywork done and all the trim removed before they dropped it off.

 

[deltarat]

I am sure all locations are different, but a friend of my parents had one painted by them and they painted over dirt. They didn't ever wash it worth a crap. Paint was coming off in a few years.
That was years ago and maybe they are better now.

 

[Kbpony]

I read an article in car craft a wile ago they had very good results but they prepped the car and had all the major bodywork done and all the trim removed before they dropped it off.

This is what I have always heard. Do all the prep yourself, then just have them shoot it. I have never had them do any work, by the time I get all the prep done, I want the fun of shooting the color.

 

[okie4570]

It's easy to google the reviews for the Maaco nearest you. I've seen mostly good reviews and a few not so good...........just like any other business though, there will always be somebody unhappy, whether it's over a paint job, or something as simple as griping about their Arby's curly fries not being curly enough...........

 

[allenfahey]

MAACO materials and workmanship is junk. You can't even buy just the basecoat for an all over paint job for $399 let alone labor, primer, sealer, and clear. Most MAACCOs hire wannabe painters that are really just still a helper. Just an opinion from someone in the industry.
It's true 90% of the shops don't want anything to do with old rusted cars. Truth be told not many will want to pay what our time is worth to fix them. Yes all we do want to go is insurance work. Later model cars are more profitable to work on.

If all you want is a trail rig a MAACO paint job will be fine but don't expect much!

 

[Casey4wd]

I had a bad experience with Maaco. The paint started to flake off in less than a year when just using a hand car wash. They also over-sprayed the tires (the only items of true value to me on this particular truck). I think you pay for what you get and with $500 for a paint job... don't expect much.

 

[AZ73]

For what it's worth, I had an employee paint his entire Bronco 2 with 2 cases of duplicolor primer and paint spray cans. Naturally it looked like a zebra when he was done, but he spent the next weekend with an orbital polisher and different grits of polishing compound and it actually looked pretty good when he was done. His total cost was probably $200 and 2 weekends of labor. It all depends on what you're trying to do and how well it comes out. I've painted maybe 8 cars in my life and the cost for just the single coat was close to $500/gal. That's not primer or top coat cost, nor labor. I'll be painting mine soon (I hope) and the paint shop quoted me $1000 for a gallon of my base coat (PPG). I think my primer was $150-200/gal. if you go to Eastwood, a gallon is about $160 for the base, and another $150 for the top coat. But it's not PPG. AllenFahey is basically saying you get what you pay for. Only you can make the decision on quality/price you're willing to live with.

 

[sykanr0ng]

My plan as it currently stands is the so-called $50 paint job, hand painting it with a roller/brush and sanding it.
Strongly considering Interlux Brightside boat paint instead of Rustoleum or tractor paint, as it is better protected for UV and meant to be rolled/brushed.

Mine is not a show truck, and as long as I own it, it won't be.
It will be driven off road.