Hey,

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

 

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.

 

30 or more people read this. No suggestions (other than don't go to Maaco)?

 

I called back and left message-- so try me again!!!

 

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

 

^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.

 

MAACO complaints

^ 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,..

 

because you dont want to listen

 

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.