My wife has a 94 Camry with only 80k miles. We just got through replacing ALL the seals on it, including the rear main. Did some other stuff too while we were in there too (timing belt and so on).
Anway, now we're looking to get it a nice paint job. It's white now and we ain't gonna change the color. The seals and stuff cost us quite a bit and we have only about $1,000 left to put into a paint job.
I don't know anything about car painting. What should we be wary of? What should we ask about the way they do it? I don't want to take it somewhere and get fast talked and screwed.
The problem with the paint is it got Malathion on it years ago and the resulting dark spots on the hood, roof, trunk are all the way through the paint so I guess we might as well get a complete repaint.
What can we expect for $1,000? Anybody recommend anybody in the Tampa area who can do a good job for $1,000?
Talk to me, guys. I need someone to take me to school on this.
Thanks,
Mickey
mickey
12-04-2009, 03:24 AM
C'mon guys. Is it going to be Maaco? We can go $1200 tops.
Macco quoted $800 for their "top of the line" Signature paint job with the Prep Plus package.
mickey
12-04-2009, 02:52 PM
30 or more people read this. No suggestions (other than don't go to Maaco)?
oldschool98
12-04-2009, 05:43 PM
I called back and left message-- so try me again!!!
mickey
12-04-2009, 07:58 PM
C'mon guys. Don't make me go to Maaco. We can go $1200 tops.
Macco quoted $800 for their "top of the line" Signature paint job with the Prep Plus package.
Hey,
When I posted this originally I said Maaco quoted us $1200. Then I changed that $1200 to $800 and someone PMed me and said "they thought I had a $1200 quote from Maaco."
The guy had offered to match the original Maaco price but said he coouldn't match the $800.
He didn't say so but I think he may think I was trying to pull a fast one. I'm not... and Maaco is getting the job.
There are 4 different Maacos here in the Tampa area.
They are franchises and can price how they want.
I went to another one this morning and am looking at the estimate sheet right now.
I'm retired from the local Sheriff's Office. My wife still works there as a dispatcher. It came up in conversation and the Maaco guy "warmed up" immediately and told us he might work in some price adjustments plus a 10% "LEO" discount. I was at a third Maaco later in the day and was told all the local Maacos offer law enforcement discounts.
Here's how the new estimante breaks down:
Value Prep - $50
Signature Service - (the best paint job they do) Fall Sale - $719
Gold Pin Stripes - Applied (not painted) - $20
10% Law Enforcement Discount Applied
Totals
Paint - $710
Sublet/Env (whatever that is) - $17.99
Tax - $50.96
TOTAL $778.96
Full Warranty for 2 years/Pro Rated after 2 years up to five years.
He walked us to the car as we were leaving and I told him I'd give $50 to him personally if he would keep an eye on the car as it went through the process.
He said it was absolutely not necessary.... but I insisted. And, beleive me, I'll duke him the extra $50 if it comes out right. And I bet it does.
Here's the Maaco description of the "Signature" paint job:
"Our highest level, Signature service wraps your car in two layers: a base coat for pigment and a urethane clear coat. It’s state of the art for look, durability and maintenance."
The Value prep gets it sanded (to a certain extent, I suppose) and primed.
Hey, the car is my wife's work car. Spending a lot of dough isn't justified. I'm betting we get a decent paint job for our $800.
What do you guys think? I'll post some before and after pics when it's done.
Mickey
pure_kustoms
12-04-2009, 08:41 PM
^post pics in one year. and it wont look like any job done by a professional,... good luck,..
EDIT: thanks for the call out....
just some jobs I have done....
again,
thanks
john.
^ check out the link
i am tired of crap work being done and people that are trying to make a living on doing quality work get put down for asking for more money then Maaco,.
Go ahead and get your car painted there, and take it back damn near every year or two to have it re-done, from loss of color, peeling, cracking or whatever will happen to it,....
the question is,
how many times do you want your car laid up for a week or two, ( at least ) before you get a quality job done by a pro!!!.
every person has learned this lesson in paint and body,...
I know that if any "REAL" paint and body people read this,
they will agree,..
pure_kustoms
12-04-2009, 10:08 PM
30 or more people read this. No suggestions (other than don't go to Maaco)?
because you dont want to listen:lol:
bdeitemeyer
12-04-2009, 10:09 PM
Well good luck with your Maaco experience.
pure_kustoms
12-04-2009, 10:13 PM
Well good luck with your Maaco experience.
+1
anyone else have that "great" experience? talk to any good body and paint man and you will find this to be true.
ibidu1
12-05-2009, 12:59 AM
Did you already get the car painted? I got two shops I know if you want
mickey
12-05-2009, 01:16 AM
30 or more people read this. No suggestions (other than don't go to Maaco)?
because you dont want to listen:lol:
BS, bro. I posted that BEFORE I had any replies so don't tell me I don't want to listen! Nobody was talking... there was nothing to listen to!
And yes, I'm sure I could get a better paint job for $2000 or $3000 but it's her work car. It's a 94 Camry. It ain't a show car. We're not trying to impress anybody.
And yeah, I'll post some pics after the paint has been on it a year, and I'll post pics every year thereafter in the interest of fairness.
You need to chill amigo. What's wrong? Is your biz going down the tubes? If that's the case, it ain't my fault. Maybe it's a tough economy or maybe your a real hard ass who chases customers away.
So far, there have been 10 additions to the original post.
4 of them (including this one) have been mine.
There also have been 1 each from two different forum members.
Then there's you, with 4 replies, each of them some derivation of sour grapes.
That tells the story as far as I'm concerned.
Again (now read this closely, pure kustoms), I'm sure I could get a better paint job for $2000 or $3000 but it's her work car. It's a 94 Camry. It ain't a show car.
Do you get it now? :idea:
oldschool98
12-05-2009, 07:49 AM
I called 3 times -left message, and pmd you! Macco will welcome you with open arms and a jar of vaseline!!
mickey
12-05-2009, 08:54 AM
I called 3 times -left message, and pmd you! Macco will welcome you with open arms and a jar of vaseline!!
Grady,
You PMed me with your phone number. I called you the same night and it wasn't a late night call. I got your voice mail and left you a message.
By the time you got back to me I had been to the first Maaco. I looked over the equipment they used and two of their "Signature" paint jobs that were waiting to be picked up and they looked pretty damn good.
I made up my mind to go to another Maaco and do the same thing and call you IF I decided (guessed, really) that you might do a better job.
The second Maaco seemed to be better run than the first AND they offered to do the same job as the first Maaco for $400 less.
They are 7 miles from my house. You are well over 50 miles. I can watch Maaco every step of the way and have the car back in three days.
(By the way... I PMed and heard back from 2 guys you did work for and they were VERY, VERY happy with the work you did).
Anyway, it just came down to my getting the job done faster and for less money and no hassle of driving some distance to drop it off and pick up. It ain't a personal thing.
We'll just have to wait and see about the, er, lubricant aspect of Maaco. I've read a lot of the Maaco complaints. Here's what I think:
They are franchises and some do better work than others. Most of the complaints I saw came from their cheapo $300 paint jobs. I didn't see any gripes at all about the "Signature Series" paint jobs. Not one!
The majority of Internet posts about large companies (not just automotive, but UPS, Apple computers etc.) generally seem to be negative.
This is because people tend not to post things like, "They do a good job and I'm satisfied with them." People bitch when something goes wrong. It's human nature. When they get what they pay for, they generaly have no comment.
Maaco franchises have been around for a long time now. They are only as good as the people that run them. I would think that if all Maacos sucked, they would have all gone out of business by now. Word of mouth is big, huge in this age of the Internet.
I'm getting the best level paint job Maaco does at a considerable discount from what they normally charge.
No, it won't be a showroom job, and it probably won't be as good a job as you would have done. But I don't expect that for what I'm paying.
I do think the extra $50 I promised to pay the manager will help. Maybe it won't, but I think it will.
i live 7 miles from the place that's doing the work. I'll be there all three days for at least a little while while it's being done.
I'll insist on meeting and talking to the prep guy and the shooter the day I drop it off. I'll probably offer them a $25 "tip" each if they take their time and do a nice job.
I shouldn't have to pay $50 to the service manager to keep an overall eye on the job, and another $50 to the guys that do the actual work but so what? I think it will be worrth it and Ill still get out of there for welll under $900.
I'm gonna go over it real closely when the job is done. If I see something I don't like, I'm going to insist it be made right and nobody will get an extra dime from me if theres even one small problem.
In other words, I'm going to be an "involved" customer/consumer or what some would call a pain in the ass.
But I bet I get a better job done than if I were a passive, no questions asked type of customer.
Remember, this is the car the old lady drives to work. I'm betting it comes out pretty damn nice.
Time will tell, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens. I'm willing to take the chance with Maaco.
And for the people who say, "Yeah, you wait, (pick your time factor) 6 months (or a year, or two years or whatever) from now you'll be unhappy," well, I have no way of knowing that AND NEITHER DO THEY!
They don't know the franchise I'm going to, nor do they know the the service manager, the prep guy or the shooter.
I got the specs on the paint, it's Sherwin Williams (I forget the designation) but I looked it up and a lot of paint and body guys say stuff like, "The Sherwin Williams xxx xxx is good paint. They have come a long way in auto paint and it's good quality."
Only one guy said it tends to "dry hard" and is a little prone to chipping. But that was the ONLY negative I saw about the paint. Most said it was as good as the big boys, Dupont and PPG but just cost less as SW continues to try to compete with the others.
Maybe this is a bit of a crap shoot. So what? What isn't a crap shoot when you got to someone you don't know to get something done.
I've done my homework and am as satisfied as I can be things will turn out OK.
mickey
12-05-2009, 09:53 AM
Last thoughts on this...
Maacos are franchises. To say "Maaco sucks" is like saying, "All Irish people are drunks, all black people are lazy, all Italians beat their wives and all guys who paint cars are snot nosed, ill tempered primadonnas who think everybody else's work sucks and they say so at every opportunity."
Sorry. It just ain't so! Ya just can't generalize about stuff!
Bottom line? Maacos are as good (or bad) as the people who work there.
Also, there's a certain "snob factor" if you will, concerning Maaco. They're just so "common."
Lots of snobs say, "Oh nooooooo, I never watch television except for the news. I'm a reader." That's fine. I read too. But there ain't nothing wrong with watching a little tube.
McDonald's are common too. A lot of people just turn up their nose at them. Hey, I eat a Big Mac every once in a while. Not bad at all. Tastes good, fills ya up and the price is right.
Some people LOVE to repeat horror stories. And they love to embellish them. Some people jsut make a hobby out of knocking stuff they really know NOTHING about.
Knocking stuff, being negative just makes 'em feel good for some reason. Probably because they live shitty little miserable lives, are unhappy and like to make others unhappy.
"I know a guy who knew a guy whose brother-in-law took a car to Maaco for a paint job and neither the guy nor his car were ever seen again. His wife and kids are homeless now and she has become a crack addict and a prostitute. I swear, it's true and it's all Maaco's fault!"
I'll bet there are some guys here who have had Maaco paint their cars. But they'll probably never admit it on this forum for all the hostility the admission would probably engender.
I hate snobs. I really do.
pure_kustoms
12-05-2009, 02:00 PM
Last thoughts on this...
Maacos are franchises. To say "Maaco sucks" is like saying, "All Irish people are drunks, all black people are lazy, all Italians beat their wives and all guys who paint cars are snot nosed, ill tempered primadonnas who think everybody else's work sucks and they say so at every opportunity."
Sorry. It just ain't so! Ya just can't generalize about stuff!
Bottom line? Maacos are as good (or bad) as the people who work there.
Also, there's a certain "snob factor" if you will, concerning Maaco. They're just so "common."
Lots of snobs say, "Oh nooooooo, I never watch television except for the news. I'm a reader." That's fine. I read too. But there ain't nothing wrong with watching a little tube.
McDonald's are common too. A lot of people just turn up their nose at them. Hey, I eat a Big Mac every once in a while. Not bad at all. Tastes good, fills ya up and the price is right.
Some people LOVE to repeat horror stories. And they love to embellish them. Some people jsut make a hobby out of knocking stuff they really know NOTHING about.
Knocking stuff, being negative just makes 'em feel good for some reason. Probably because they live shitty little miserable lives, are unhappy and like to make others unhappy.
"I know a guy who knew a guy whose brother-in-law took a car to Maaco for a paint job and neither the guy nor his car were ever seen again. His wife and kids are homeless now and she has become a crack addict and a prostitute. I swear, it's true and it's all Maaco's fault!"
I'll bet there are some guys here who have had Maaco paint their cars. But they'll probably never admit it on this forum for all the hostility the admission would probably engender.
I hate snobs. I really do.
you are wrong on many points, but the only one i am going to mention is that painters are against each other, that is not true at all, yes it is a competitive industry but, the only other painter that tried to give you advice was oldschool, after you asked for advice,. We all know you are not looking for a show piece stop saying it, we were just trying to tell you that maaco does not use good ethics or paint, what do you expect for someone who is a "painter" making such a low wage, dont you think if they are that good they would not be at a more custom shop? or that the offer of $50 would make them put in twice as many hours? and there manager would not make them speed up to keep cost down? and pay the manager a "tip" and he will buy better paint and primer? (if they are even going to prime it)
i'm done,.
talk to oldschool and maybe he will give you some advice if you are willing to take it,.....
mickey
12-05-2009, 06:07 PM
you are wrong on many points,
BS - I'm sure if I were wrong on many points you would have pointed them out ...
maaco does not use good ethics or paint,
Once again, they are franchises. Yep, and all Italian guys beat their wives.Stop generalizing about all Maaco's.
what do you expect for someone who is a "painter" making such a low wage, dont you think if they are that good they would not be at a more custom shop?
So you know what all Maaco painters are paid? I bet there are a lot more painters around than there are custom shops whjo will hire them, especially in this economy. As I said, I will be talking to the guys who work on the car and ask to see some examples of their work, how long they have been doing it and so on. No money has changed hands. If I don't like what I see and hear, I'll drive away.
or that the offer of $50 would make them put in twice as many hours? and there manager would not make them speed up to keep cost down? and pay the manager a "tip" and he will buy better paint and primer? (if they are even going to prime it)
You are SO full of crap. Where do I start? The price is already agreed on and the cost is already "down." I don't care if they work fast or slow as long as it's done right. I already know what paint and primer is being used. It's SW and has a good reputation.
i'm done.
Now you're done. I think you should quit painting cars and get a job as a professional smoke blower cuz that's all you do; blow smoke. All your BS just breaks up and floats away when you say stuff like -
maaco does not use good ethics or paint,
They are FRANCHISES, sonny. When are you gonna get that? They are owned and operated by different people. They don't all use the same materials. Some are better and some are worse than others.
If they ALL sucked, they would not still be in business.
pure_kustoms
12-06-2009, 02:02 AM
BS - I'm sure if I were wrong on many points you would have pointed them out ...
Once again, they are franchises. Yep, and all Italian guys beat their wives.Stop generalizing about all Maaco's.
So you know what all Maaco painters are paid? I bet there are a lot more painters around than there are custom shops whjo will hire them, especially in this economy. As I said, I will be talking to the guys who work on the car and ask to see some examples of their work, how long they have been doing it and so on. No money has changed hands. If I don't like what I see and hear, I'll drive away.
You are SO full of crap. Where do I start? The price is already agreed on and the cost is already "down." I don't care if they work fast or slow as long as it's done right. I already know what paint and primer is being used. It's SW and has a good reputation.
Now you're done. I think you should quit painting cars and get a job as a professional smoke blower cuz that's all you do; blow smoke. All your BS just breaks up and floats away when you say stuff like -
They are FRANCHISES, sonny. When are you gonna get that? They are owned and operated by different people. They don't all use the same materials. Some are better and some are worse than others.
If they ALL sucked, they would not still be in business.
yes they are all franchises, but they still have to honor the paint jobs that are advertised, I,E, ambassador, and signature, and so on
again.
good luck with your job.
mickey
12-06-2009, 08:37 AM
Thanks, I'll let you know how it turns out.
Hellfire_Studios
12-07-2009, 07:37 PM
this thread just reminded me why I havent even been on the forum in a long time....
thanks for the reminder. good luck on your shit paint job.
Josh
mickey
12-07-2009, 09:27 PM
this thread just reminded me why I havent even been on the forum in a long time....
thanks for the reminder. good luck on your shit paint job.
Josh
Yeah, I'll bet you were missed too.
Good luck with your shitty business.
I hear you're work sucks, word of mouth has all but killed your business, you're deep in the hole financially and your creditors are getting ready to shut you down.
Ok, I made up the stuff about you're business. I know nothing about you or your business. But if it were true, it wouldn't surprise me in the least. You got a real nice way about you, don't ya?
Good day to you.
oldschool98
12-07-2009, 10:18 PM
Yeah, I'll bet you were missed too.
Good luck with your shitty business.
I hear you're work sucks, word of mouth has all but killed your business, you're deep in the hole financially and your creditors are getting ready to shut you down.
Ok, I made up the stuff about you're business. I know nothing about you or your business. But if it were true, it wouldn't surprise me in the least. You got a real nice way about you, don't ya?
Good day to you.
I believe this guy actually works for Macco. MACCO TROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are posting way too much to be anything but Macoo employee.
tuner1989
12-07-2009, 11:06 PM
You asked a question and got honest answers. If you dont like them then STFU and go get your crappy paintjob and learn from your stupidity.
Dont post a thread on a online forum and expect the replies which are trying to help YOU to be what you want to hear.
mickey
12-07-2009, 11:55 PM
You asked a question and got honest answers. If you dont like them then STFU and go get your crappy paintjob and learn from your stupidity.
Dont post a thread on a online forum and expect the replies which are trying to help YOU to be what you want to hear.
Why don't you just kiss my ass, buddy.
The fucking thread was dead until some asshole brought it back to life with this shit:
this thread just reminded me why I havent even been on the forum in a long time....
thanks for the reminder. good luck on your shit paint job.
Josh
Then this douche bag says I MUST be a troll and a Maaco employee:
I believe this guy actually works for Macco. MACCO TROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are posting way too much to be anything but Macoo employee.
I hadn't posted squat for over two days until these sour grapes, "I wanted that job but you're going to Macco and Macco sucks" boys came roaring back with this shit!
"OOOOOHHHHHH, YOU MUST BE A TROLL WHO WORKS FOR MAACO. NYAH, NYAH, NYAH, NYAH, NYAH, NYAH." Pure bullshit!
And I checked out hellfire studios on the Internet too. Wow, this dude really has an Internet presence with a lot of people saying how much they like his work.
Go ahead, google hellfire studios. He has exactly 2 mentions. And both times, he's doing the talking.
This beauty which come from right here on this forum and where he pushes his own work. I guess he has to, no one else seems to:
<====Hellfire studios I hear does great work ;)
Out of east brandon
And another one where he gets in the middle of some big pissing match (shocking, huh?) on the Florida Truck Scene forum.
Mike please delete this thread..
__________________
Josh
<Severed Ties> FL
Just so you know I wasn't talking to you. Thanks for your interest in my build!!!
And to Puna would you please see if I can get this thread deleted completely thanks!!!
I will post MY OWN thread about MY truck when I feel like starting a new one.
Josh
__________________
Josh
<Severed Ties> FL
That's it. That's all you can find on the Internet about hellfire. He oughta be real proud about his loyal following of satisfied customers that don't seem to exist.
Some of the car painters here ain't nothing but a cross between little old ladies and crybabies.
This will be my last post unless someone wants to start slinging more shit in my direction. If it happens, I'll be happy to sling some back.
I came her looking for advice. I got some. I asked more questions and a few of the painter boys wet there goddam pants. I wouldn't trust any of e'm with a Tonka toy, forget about a real car.
tuner1989
12-08-2009, 12:09 AM
:lol:
Hellfire_Studios
12-08-2009, 09:34 AM
Wow I can't believe you have nothing better to do than google my business name. Makes me feel special that my comments bothered you so much that you would do that. Really dude do you have that little going on in your life that you would have to do that? Thats sad really. I feel sorry for you. You know there are other ways of spending your time you know....you could read a book....or wash your shit box car.....or find a hobby or something. Seriously....dont waste your time looking me up. If you want to know something about me or my business all you had to do was ask.
Personally I don't care what you think about me. You are the one making yourself out to be a huge ass. You do remember you were the one that posted this thread to begin with don't you...asking people in the know for advice on getting your car painted. I am sorry you didn't like the answers you got and are that immature that you lashed out the way you have.
Oh and keep your eyes out in the next few months for the upcoming minitruck mag. On the cover you will see some of my shitty work and how poor my business is doing.....you obviously have the time on your hands to go pick one up.
<3 Josh
Largo 5.0
12-08-2009, 11:18 AM
You said in your first post that you didn't know anything about "car painting", but yet you've gone on and contradicted people who do it professionally. You seem to have it all figured out and know exactly what you're getting... If you knew this much about what you wanted, why did you bother to create the thread in the first place?
Body work and prep are what make a high quality lasting paint job. The majority of what happens after prep can be fixed with some 1000 grit and a wheel. That being said, Maaco quoted you $50 for the prep - I use more than $50 worth of sand paper when prepping a car...
pure_kustoms
12-08-2009, 05:31 PM
You said in your first post that you didn't know anything about "car painting", but yet you've gone on and contradicted people who do it professionally. You seem to have it all figured out and know exactly what you're getting... If you knew this much about what you wanted, why did you bother to create the thread in the first place?
Body work and prep are what make a high quality lasting paint job. The majority of what happens after prep can be fixed with some 1000 grit and a wheel. That being said, Maaco quoted you $50 for the prep - I use more than $50 worth of sand paper when prepping a car...
+1,.
not to mention how much the tape and paper, and lacquer thinner, tack rags,.
these are all in the prep job, and very costly per job.
again, you get what you pay for,.
and maaco is know for painting EVERYTHING!!!! i.e. the window seals, since they dont remove them, and tires and headlights because of crappy prep,. they used to be know as earl shive, or however you spell it, same quality.
as far as oldschool's work, look at his signature on his posts,.
as for hellfire, check this out:
http://www.tamparacing.com/forums/paint-body-detailing/423121-latest-work-out-hellfire.html