Uh oh, F*** Maaco

glanga

glanga

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So I take my car to maaco for an estimate to have the back bumper redone, just the bumper. I know the horror stories but I figure the back bumper couldn't be so bad. It's the ridiculous tri-stage paint and has back up sensors and they want $615 to do sand, primer, and paint..... and 5 days. Is that a ridiculous amount or is it just me?
 
sounds about right for a shop that actually does a good job...not maaco
 
^^^^^^^
agreed. Tell them that you will take out all the sensors and bring them the bumper off the car and bare to save them labor hours. Then its all a sand/primer/paint job. You might save yourself a couple 100$'s
 
I just took it to a reputable shop, one I've heard good things about. Their estimate was $675. He said because of the sensors, trim moulding, and the tri-coat. he also guaranteed it'd be done in 1 1/2 days instead of 4-5 at maaco.
 
That's kind of high. My rear bumper was repainted at the Lincoln dealer for $435, but no sensors.

I say go to couple of more shops and see what they got to say.
 
Well the second place. The more reputable one. I called back and asked if I took the bumper off myself what would it save. Got it down to $575. So I'm guessing that's the ticket. The problem is more the Tri-Stage paint since it takes more labor hours. Maaco is charging $38 an hour, the other place, $43.

Anyone have any tech articles or know of any threads on bumper removal and reverse sensor removal, tools, etc. Secondly will my bumper fit in my car haha, I have the 60/40 split seats. Thirdly is it legal to drive without a bumper cover on my car. I know I'll look like a naked ass but I can't stand bad paint on a car.
 
that sucks :P it'd be about 300-400 here at a reputable shop that paints the cars for the local lincoln dealership
 
Yeah it sure does. If I took the bumper off myself Maaco would be $484.00. Reputable would be $515. Maaco would take 4 days and the other place, 1 1/2. I'm not sure what to go with, the guy at Maaco said if the other place does it that quick they aren't doing something right. But the reputable place has a more detailed, longer, and clearer report than Maaco.
 
glanga said:
I called back and asked if I took the bumper off myself what would it save. Got it down to $575. So I'm guessing that's the ticket.
Click to expand...

Don't remove the bumper. You'll never get the paint matched if you just take them the bumper. They need to blend the paint and/or buff the rear of the car to get it to match. I would say there is a >80% chance it won't match right if you just take them the bumper. Shiny new paint and 4 year old paint look different. I don't care if they use factory paint. 4 years of age will show.

The aggravation in getting this fixed after the fact would not be worth the time and money you "save" in my book.
 
Honestly I'm not worried about that. This paint changes like 20 different colors in different light. And the first time the dealer repainted it, it didn't match perfect but it still looked ok besides the rear sensors chipping and overspray in 3 different spots. I'd rather just save the money because I am either getting rid of this car real soon or far far far down the road.
 
As far as I know the only thing that has to be on the car is the bumper reinforcement. Not the cover itself. So you should be OK to drive with the cover off. Itll just look funny.
Around $600 would be about right for labor and paint. Those parking sensors are a real PITA and will deffinatly drive up the price.
 
Are the parking sensors hard to take off? I'd rather just leave them off and strip them down to the metal. I dont care how they look I can paint them down the road. Do they connect in from behind the bumper cover? And any certain tools i need to do this either, Sockets do the job ok i assume

appreciate the help guys.
 
I don't think there is any metal on them unless the sorrounds are metal. By my knowledge they are piezo-electric ultrasonic transducers that I'm surprized they can even paint period since we have all sorts of problems with coupling with our transducers at work on our ultrasonic systems if you get crap in the couplant.
 
the actual center of the sensor is not painted, it is bare metal. the small surround is painted to match though. I just have never removed a bumper and I dont know how these are attached. I dont want to break them and spend $1,000,000.00 buying a new piezo-electric ultrasonic transducer from the stealership. The bumper I guess is just bolted on but those, I just don't want any surprises for something that seems so simple
 
I read the workshop manual for removal of the rear bumper cover but I don't understand it to well and the pictures are terrible.
In laymans terms where can i find the bolts. 4 i assume are on the back side of the rear wheel wells.
And by luggage compartment trim do they mean the gray carpeting? do i removie it from the floor of the trunk and ill find all the rest of the bolts there?

The reverse sensors seem easy, almost like disconnecting a bulbs wiring harness.

any help???
 
Thats the strip of plastic that runs along the bottom edge of the trunk opening. Its just held on by some plastic clips, so it should pull off pretty easily.
The sensors are held on pretty much the same way. They just clip or twist in place.

Is it really even worth repainting the surround on the sensors though? They're small enough that a slight difference in the paint probably wont even be noticable.
 
No, Thats why i am taking the sensors out. They are a very light colored brushed aluminum look almost. Im just going to strip the paint off of them and not have them do them. That should save about $50. They two pieces of bumper trim cost about $50 themselves to do also.
And yeah i see what you mean now. the plastic strip right behind the cargo net right at the lip of the trunk. Thanks for your help
 
yeah i know right. but i shouldnt be spending this at all. the dealership that f'd it up the first time should. or the department of transportation since they made it even worse.
 
For only $30 difference I hope you are not considering Maaco
 
No. I'd rather pay an extra $30 for 2 less days of not having a bumper cover and quality work
 
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