Maaco: Package? Clear Coat?

[Teaguer]

Dude aren't you aware that I actually run a friggin Maaco ??!!

For the $$ and the warranty that you mentioned you will be getting the Presidential NOT the Supreme .
Since Maaco is a franchise the pricing could be off from location to location but the warranty would be the same .
And Maaco warranties the Supreme for 4 years while the Presidential is only a 2 year .
Which location did you get a quote from ?

That advice to buy your own paint to save $$ is the worst advice i've heard in a long time .
Have you even priced paint and essentials that are needed for a car ? :D

Truth is that if you can takle taking the little trim pieces and lights out then you will get a pretty good job for the money from any Maaco .

My Maaco is a full service collision center with 2 frame machines, 2 body guys and a mechanic .
You need to let me see the car and I'll give you a good estimate for doing all of the work , including taking out your shit and doing the bodywork .

Oh and like I said over the phone , you would be better off NOT going with the BTS kit . :)

[Jand3rson]

If you decide to paint, call (or go to) your local "Body Shop Supply" store. This is where the pros go to buy paint, sandpaper, etc. The counter people will know who buys paint and who will work on your car without flaking out or screwing you over.

Truth. I go to Industrial Finishes for all of my body work supplies, they supply to almost all of the major dealerships and body shops, and they are awesome. They wil spend 30 minutes with me on even the smallest questions I have until I have it etched in stone.

[Garageaholic]

meh, just roll it

[StereoInstaller1]

Here are my 3 cents:

Find a Paintless Dent Removal guy. Call the "expediter" at your local BMW/Audi/Lexus dealer. This is the person who handles all the weird bullshit, makes things happen. He knows a good PDR guy, and will likely pass his number to you. The best are rarely in the phone book...

A really talented detailer can buff out many deep scratches. If they cannot guarantee the finished product, don't pay them.

If you decide to paint, call (or go to) your local "Body Shop Supply" store. This is where the pros go to buy paint, sandpaper, etc. The counter people will know who buys paint and who will work on your car without flaking out or screwing you over.

Anyway, just my opinion.

Luke

[smooth]

that's the right order
paint should come dead last
what happens if you want to put a kit, a spoiler, bumpers, etc?
and no $400 dollar paint job is going to be better than the factory paint, unless it's gone, in my opinion

If you're set on painting now, try some local shops and see if someone will do it off the clock. You could get a decent respray for as little as twice or three times the maaco price if you get hooked up. Someone here is offering to hit my car with PPG and prep on some minor body work for $1400. The plastic bumpers and valence alone are $350, and that should tell you something about a complete respray for $400. (it's a vert, too)

It really doesn't matter what kind of paint is used if the prep is crap.
And since maaco won't prep your car for squat, why piss $400 bucks away just to see everything chip and fade and peel in a year or two.

[Maluco]

Snap! I can't do all that myself, I don't have the time. I don't necessarily need the whole car painted. It's just I have hater scratches pratically all the way around and some dents I need removed. I am getting ready to put a susp kit (BTS-7511) on my car as well as my wheels and felt I might not have things in the right order i.e. dropped, nice wheels but dents and scratches still on the car.....

[AdironRider]

MAACO does an alright job if you do all the prep work yourself. Thats the key, Maaco will just tape up the headlights and glass and run a coat over it. But, if you do the prep work yourself it can come out pretty good for 400 bucks.

[PiercedE30]

buy the paint and clear yourself to save some money.
if you are willing to have your car trailered there, do the taping/masking yourself....maaco won't do a good job. If you can pull all the glass and rubber. Remove the trim, headlights, grills, emblems, etc that will remain satin black so they don't get any spray on them.

[Maluco]

I am going to have someone cheap remove my dings and dents but was planning on getting my car painted at Maaco. I have a few questions for you paint knowledgable peeps. I plan on going with the Supreme Package (see table below). $375 includes paintjob and "prep work to remove deep scrathes"

I don't know what those different chemicals/paints mean but I am on a budget. The package comes with a 2 yr gloss warranty but the guy said the "Supreme" lasts a good 6 years. Any advice is greatly appreciated.