Should I paint the ENTIRE car?

LSblack00

LSblack00

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Hey guys I've been hanging around the forum for a few months and really enjoy hearing all the different opinions so I gotta get your guys' take on this...
My front bumper is pretty nasty from salt and road debris and the front part of my hood is getting there. So I went to a couple of local shops to get an estimate, with Maaco being one of them. Now I know everyone says they are crap and it would be a waste of money but here's my prob:

1. 2 places quoted me at $750 and $890 to strip and paint the bumper and hood.
2. Maaco quoted $600 for the bumper/hood OR 1k for the whole car.

If I did Maaco, it would be the top-of-the-line Signature package, which is usually $1000 by itself without labor and prep time included, so I save $400 right off the bat. Plus, it comes with a 5 year warranty. There are other spots and scratches that are noticeable so that would take care of those once and for all.

I didnt think to ask about how they strip, prep, prime, etc the car because I went there first and wasnt really considering doing the whole car til I got the other estimates. So has anyone dealt with Maaco before? They say you get what you pay for but geez, I am really considering it:confused:
 
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If you go to Maaco, you better take off everything you don't want painted or they'll paint over it. lol

Remember: you get what you pay for.
 
Exactly, they'll paint right over emblems. And they use really :q:q:q:qty paint. NYC is right. When it comes to paint jobs you absolutley get what you pay for. I can't emphasize enough not to go there unless you'd be satisfied with a 2nd rate job.
 
NYC LSC said:
If you go to Maaco, you better take off everything you don't want painted or they'll paint over it. lol

Remember: you get what you pay for.
Click to expand...

I really want to ask them if they take off the bumpers and fenders when they paint, or if they will sand down the entire car before putting on the new coat.
The guy who helped me was really crunching numbers to get me to do it and give me a good deal, so Im sure this is the best paint job I can get from them.
My argument is I am not sure what local shops are top quality so Im running the risk of being dissapointed either way, no matter where I take it.
I like the idea of having the warranty but then again it is Maaco.
 
If I were in your place I would just do some research and find a reputable shop. If money is the issue either hold off on the whole car or just get the pieces you need to be repainted done. Right now you just have an eye sore (to you). A bad paint job is not only an eye sore but a waste of $1000, and you'll have to get it redone the right way anyway so why don't you just do it once.
 
Don't do Maaco, did that myself once too.

IF you must, PREP the car yourself, do all the sanding that needs doing. They won't sand worth a crap, and your paint will flake in no time.

Like said above, mask the stuff you don't want painted, or take them off yourself ahead of time as well. For all the effort and bother - just take it to a place that will do a good job, but at a 'normal' price.

Maaco is good for spraying cabs and that's about it.
 
You will regret the Maaco paint job unless your car is currently 6 different colors...

With 6 different colors, one color of crappy paint would be an improvement.....until it started coming off.....

There is a reason they have the reputation they do. Look at the replies you've gotten.
 
they will paint over the bumper and the paint will fly right of if you get bumped or bump somebody while parking!!! the bumper cover needs to come off and be stripped and repainted-that alone will cost anywhere from $250 on up to $500-as far as the hood you could always just put a bra over it.
 
I really hate bras on cars but if I ever go on a long trip I think I would put one on. Or maybe in the winter with all the salt and sand.

Anyway, I've decided to not to do it. You guys are right about the whole car looking like crap as opposed to just the front. Might just make the problem bigger.
 
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