Maaco Paint - How does it sound?
 

As much as I would like to have the highest quality paint job right now, I don't have the money, so I'm thinking of Maaco. I've read a couple of threads with some ambivalent emotions using Maaco, but it seems as long as the prep is done, it looks like a good deal to use them. So right now I'm thinking of going over to Maaco's two locations near me, looking at their work, getting a quote, and if I'm pleased with what I see I'll use them to paint my car. If I do use them, before I go over I'll remove all rubber trim and easy to remove parts off of my car. I have never stripped the old paint off, but do you think Maaco will do a sufficient job with stripping the old paint, priming, and spraying the new paint on? Has anyone ever had any experience with the Antioch or San Leandro locations here in the bay area?
Thanks,
SmileWavy

NO NO NO NO NO
They are CRAP!!!
The paint is junk. Labor is " in training", taping sucks, you will be pissed at yourself. I know from when I was 16 and had my 914 painted there.
Find a pelican ... or friend of a pelican to fix it right.
You hit the deer right??? .....just get the fender painted for now.

Matt, Talk to your mechanic, auto body supply staff, friends or whoever may have connections to an auto body tech. Many will do the work on their off hours at discounted prices. You can also visit a few body shops and ask what options you might have.

Not no, hell no.

They do a terrible job, and they may grind off that galvanizing that keeps that 19 year old car rust free.

Follow the suggestions previously given or consider painting it yourself.

AFJ

Matt, they use low-quality paint that looks good when fresh, but will oxidize very quickly. Looks like sheat in a couple years.

They seem to be wearing mittens when taping things off. You can bet they'll get paint on your weatherstripping, carpet, wheels, etc.

If you're short on cash, just get the fender painted. But get it done right.

Okay, I won't go that way. I would have thought since the last threads were posted a couple of years ago that they might have improved since then, but I guess not. I got a quote from a pelican who was kind enough to meet with me on Wednesday too and his work really looks high quality and top notch, though I'm not sure how I'm going to get the money.

Maaco franchises are independantly owned. One close to me did fantastic work until the owner sold it to a family member. Now it's typical Maaco.

The spray guy there is actually really good. Do nothing but spray cars 40 hours a week and you get good at it. It's the prep work that has gone downhill. The paint quality they use has improved dramatically in the last few years. If the prep is done for them, you may be suprised. Then again, you may get a spray man who just started last Tuesday, and want to puke.

Go check out the cars they have just completed, and judge for yourself.

Ask around for a local shop that will let you do all the prep work yourself. Show up with the trim and glass removed, paint scrubbed, etc etc. Then pony up for the higher quality paint. There's some good info about halfway down this page:

http://www.classicmotorsports.net/projects/volvo142.php

I'm thinking of going down to Mexico to get my truck painted, it does not have to be fantastic quality but must be decent. I have heard that it will be dirt cheap, but that info might be outdated.

Anyone know? I was thinking Rosarita.

Get a spray can and paint the part of the fender that the paint fell off, and save up some money to have it painted as suggested above.
If you were closer to me, I have some red left from mine and would paint it for you.
What are you getting for prices? ....have any unneeded parts you can take off and sell?

Have heard that if you supply the paint and materials that the work at times can be fairly good. Cost sure would be cheaper but not sure I would do it on a 911.

JoeA

PS, get your A/C charged with real R12 while down there!

Right now I'm getting quoted between $1500 and $2000 for the paint-job on the fender and for them to remove the dent. I will hire a "dent pro" guy that worked on my parents BMW and did a great job, so the dent alone is around $300-$400. I really hope I can use a fellow pelicanite to do the paint job though.

90% of a good paint job is the prep. Maaco is going to do very little prep unless you pay for it. And they'll charge you the same or more per hour to do the prep as a body shop with better talent.

If you can't afford a decent paint job, then skip it. You won't be happy after the paint chips and flakes within the first month. And believe it or not, your car will be worth more if you don't do the Maaco paint job. (The next owner won't have to strip the cheap paint off.)

Bottom line: A cheap paint job is worse than no paint job.

And you probably will want to hang around while they do the work. ;)

Matt,
This guy is a pelicanhead, haven't seen his work but he seems like a nice guy.

Kevin
Automotive Innovations and Restoration
15020 Oxnard St. unit E
Van Nuys, Ca. 91411
818 786 2181

BTW I had to put you on my ignore list because your avatar is not workplace friendly. No big deal just letting you know.

Sorry for the avatar Scott. I went ahead and changed it to a more appropriate icon. Thanks for Kevin's info. Unfortunatley he's a bit too far south of me.

I'm gonna miss that avitar, son. Good luck w/ the 911.

You might want to try painting it yourself with spray cans first.

I'll just go ahead and save up some more money and have it done right by a fellow pelican. Thanks for all of the info on Maaco though. Speeder, don't worry there's always ZOANAS and jfw's avatar to look at. :)

It'll suck to drive the car as-is for now, but you will really appreciate having the car fixed correctly.

Dave

Matt,
It appears that you have already made your decision. I would like to add my experience to the list. Back in 1989 when Hurricane Hugo paid Charleston, SC a visit I was there and rode out the storm tied to the pier aboard the USS-Dewey (DDG-45). The following morning I visited my car and found that all the glass, with the exception of the windshield, no longer existed and the paint was terribly chipped (I had strategically parked next to a building in the hopes of minimizing potential damage though I did not consider that the flat roof of this building contained millions of small stones - many of which found my car). The Navy was writing checks the following morning to sailors that received damage to their vehicles. I opted for a Maaco paint job because of the price and it looked, at least initially, amazingly good. I found evidence of their 'prep work' - the rear valence area had apparently been forgotten and the preparation appeared to be no more than a swipe to the area once with sand paper. Visually, the paint held up fine until I returned from a deployment a couple of years later where I found the paint to be completely oxidized and rough to the touch.

There was a guy on the renn board by the name of mideastmafia that did his 951 with spray cans - it looked awesome and lasted well. Yes it can be done. The stuff they're putting into cans these days is actually pretty good and if you want, a good paint store can mix up whatever color you want and put it into cans for you.

Hey Ken
You have a pm