I'm looking into buying custom paint for my '97 Expedition (Eddie Bauer). Is a quart enough or do I need a gallon (or more)?

 

A good job on a car will take about 6 to 8 quarts of color and then you have to clear coat with poly. It will get expensive, fast.

 

You'll need about 1-1/2 gallons, plus you'll want some extra for future touch-ups since it's a custom color. Plan on spending about $300 for the paint, clearcoat, activators, thinners, etc.

 

Well, I'm getting the Hot Rod Flatz paint (HRF 201 - Hot Rod Black) and I know nothing about doing it myself, so I'm just supplying the paint and taking it to Maaco. Since its a flat paint do I still need the clearcoat, activators and thinner?

 

I don't think you will need the clear coat for a flat black paint job. If you are taking it to MAACO you might want to do the prep yourself, or maybe the whole job. Google MAACO and make a decision. Their rep is not the best.

 

That's a urethane paint, so yes you do need apply a clearcoat over it. The paint is just a base color, it does not have any protective qualities in it, the clearcoat does. Perhaps Maaco plans on supplying everything but the black urethane custom color paint. If that's the case, then you only need the paint. It's best to ask Maaco exactly what you need to get and how much of it.

 

I keep hearing MAACO sucks. Well I saw this paint on another car (this is where I got the idea from) and I asked the owner about it and he said he got it done at MAACO, he just supplied this paint. I also just learned the custom paint job done around 5 years on another car I own was done at MAACO and the paint/color still looks okay (the color is starting to get dull though). I think I'll give me another try.

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

MAACO's quality depends on the shop specifically. Check with your local Better Business Bureau for complaints on your local/regional shops. You can also check online for reviews, but pay attention to how old they are, who cares about a good or bad review that's 5 years old. Talk to your shop about what you want to do and what prep you can/should do to make it easier on them and cheaper on you. I've had a couple cars done and always did prep work of pulling bumpers (chrome, not getting painted), light assemblies and easily removable pieces of molding. They always did a good for me.

 

Rats! Since this is a Eddie Bauer edition it has that tan plastic trim stuff on the fenders and bumpers - is that going to look bad painted black?

I just checked the local Maaco and shockingly it has 5 of 5 stars on Yelp. Of course I'm now skeptical.

 

I'd say it would probably look pretty foul with a primer top side and the plastic trim still gold.

 

What difference does it make what color the trim is, paint ALL of it.

As for the Maaco review, look further away from your house. Maybe you'll have to go another 30 or 40 miles, but if the quality is better then it's worth it.

 

Find a shop to visit so you can get an idea of what is involved in a quality paint job.
A shop that is listed as a "Pro Shop" by an insurance company should be a good choice.

Things to be removed before painting;
All badges.
The molding around the windows.
Door gaskets.
Mirrors.
Bumpers.
Interior door panels.
I would recommend that you have the trim removed and painted separately. The body can then be painted as a whole. Afterward the trim can be reattached.
The doors themselves should be removed so that the interior surfaces can be "jammed" (painted to match the exterior color) They are reinstalled for the exterior painting.

The bed needs to be removed so that the painters have access the the surfaces between the cab and bed.

Remember the surfaces in the engine compartment. When you open the hood will the underside and the structure match the exterior color?

You need all of the surfaces to be prepared to receive the new paint.
paint prep | car paint preparation | surface preparation

Hot Hues Color Information, Hot Rod Black HHM-6400 | DuPont Performance Coatings - appp20.asp.dupont.com

 

Just get the truck Rhino Linered all over, then you will have a different look and superior protection against door dings, minor scrapes, rust, and terrorist bombs. As well as sound proofing. A local guy did his H.D. Road King and it looks good.

 

5 stars is a good rating, why would you still be skeptical of them?

 

All 20 of the reviews at this Maaco have 5 stars. The other Maacos have 2.5 to 3 stars at most. Other body shops have 4.5 stars at most. Just seems crazy to have all 5 stars, I've never seen that before.

Y'all are right, I'll just get the tan/gold stuff painted black too.