DON'T GO TO MAACO FOR A PAINTJOB OR BODYWORK!!!

 

Did you look at some of their other work before deciding to get your vehicle done there? I had a car painted at Maaco several years ago and it turned out beautiful and lasted very well.
Did you talk to the guys there about not being satisfied with their work? I guess the #1 lesson here is: Pay with a credit card for all auto repairs!!!!!! If you are not satisfied and can get no satisfaction in getting things done right you can always dispute the charge and the CC co. will investigate. The shops payment can be held up for months!

 

They want cash or cashiers check only

 

I've had 2 car painted by a simular type shop, the 1st one had to be reshot and came out ok. The second one had very bad orange peel and they resprayed it, then it started peeling off. I also paid a few hundred for some body work that was never done.

The last one was half off and cost me over $500, looked ok except for the peeling part.

I've painted 3 myself and paid about $200~$400 for the paint/primer and each one came out better than the "pros".

I now understand that these places are for those that have a cheap car and don't want to spend much on it so they take a chance and some come out for the better. The bad part is that it's hard to find a good shop at a good price, I've had bids in the $5000+ range to do a good job and that's just too much.

That's why I started to do the painting myself, not easy but with practice, you can do a better job that maaco or any of the cheap shops.

I did find that they were willing to reshoot without too much of a hassle, the real problem is getting them to do a GOOD job.

 

yeah i got my chevy k1500 painted from red to black by maaco, it has started peeling at all the curvers and edges, along the window trim, along the side trim, wheel wells, i will never ever go to maaco to get another car painted. they did a very bad job, i had to go back once to get a piecve b/t the grill and the bumper that had to be repainted b/c it had peeled complteely off in 2 weeks b/c they "forgot" to prime it.
good thing ill be getting myself an f250 soon and im gonna be keeping it silver

 

Fellas, you get what you pay for in these places, they are cheap for a reason. I own a body shop in the Midwest. We do collision work, as well as Street Rods, customs, and so forth. I will charge you the $5000 or better, but you will get what you pay for!!! If you are not happy, i stand behind my work, and so will any reputable shop. The people at MAACO are certainly not the PRO's. My prices, as well as other reputable shops reflect what "PRO'S" charge. Yes you probably can do a great job yourself, i am not disputing that at all, it is just that these MAACO places give the good shops, and the industry a black eye. As far as credit cards go, you can pay me with one, but I will add the 3% the card company takes, back to you. Pay me in CASH, and now we can deal!! Also, if you paint a truck yourself, expect to pay in the neiborhood of $800 to $1000 for good quality products. $400-$500 will only buy you plow paint! If you want it done right, do it yourself, if you do not want to do it yourself, shop around for a quality shop. Ask to see something they have done, ask your friends, go to a show and ask people with outstanding cars, But PLEASE, PLEASE don't expect a $5000 paint job from MAACO, or anybody else who offers to paint your truck for cheap! FOMOGO

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 03-Mar-02 AT 03:29 AM (EST)]THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!
I can't believe you guys are blasting Maaco. Why, the next thing you know you'll be blasting Earl Scheib, Aamco (where every tranny problem is around $800 (because you have an experimental or police trans.) and good ole Midas (lady we have to completely replace brakes, calipers and all). Why the nerve of some guys! Incidentally I would not be a lady, as previously referred to.


I will tell you a great place to buy tires though. Sam's Club, had a blowout after 3 months, they gave me a new tire for a loaner until the correct tire for my truck came in, total cost $0 I was more than a little impressed.

Especially after being screwed by our local Goodyear shop a few years prior. Wife took car in for inspection, two weeks after we bought a set of tires there, and they told her that our power steering pump had to be replaced and they had to do it because they inspected it. To make matters worse they sold me (billed) a new pump for $150 plus labor; but, installed a $75 rebuilt pump. They almost had to call the cops when I went to see them I was pissed, they just took advantage of a woman that didn't know any better. BTW I checked with their supplier, got to see the original pump, guess what...no sign of any leakage. Even called corporate still no satisfaction. They wouldn't even think of any type of refund.. We stand behind our mechanics. Oh well, never buy there again. Sucks though, kind of liked the tires. I'll get off my soapbox.

Chevy Trucks, Like aRock
Yea, like a flat rock!
easy to break and won't roll.

Dodge Trucks, the rules have changed so they could win!

 

>Fellas, you get what you pay for in these places, they are
>cheap for a reason. I own a body shop in the Midwest. We do
>collision work, as well as Street Rods, customs, and so
>forth. I will charge you the $5000 or better, but you will
>get what you pay for!!! If you are not happy, i stand
>behind my work, and so will any reputable shop. The people
>at MAACO are certainly not the PRO's. My prices, as well as
>other reputable shops reflect what "PRO'S" charge. Yes you
>probably can do a great job yourself, i am not disputing
>that at all, it is just that these MAACO places give the
>good shops, and the industry a black eye. As far as credit
>cards go, you can pay me with one, but I will add the 3% the
>card company takes, back to you. Pay me in CASH, and now we
>can deal!! Also, if you paint a truck yourself, expect to
>pay in the neiborhood of $800 to $1000 for good quality
>products. $400-$500 will only buy you plow paint! If you
>want it done right, do it yourself, if you do not want to do
>it yourself, shop around for a quality shop. Ask to see
>something they have done, ask your friends, go to a show and
>ask people with outstanding cars, But PLEASE, PLEASE don't
>expect a $5000 paint job from MAACO, or anybody else who
>offers to paint your truck for cheap! FOMOGO



TRUE- TRUE- TRUE, Did I mention everything FOMOGO said is TRUE!!!
I have pretty much said the same thing, elswhere in other posts.

 

Maaco jobs are 50 footers. No questions asked.

 

>Maaco jobs are 50 footers. No questions asked.



Yup, at night with no moon and in a closed garage, they look great from the next town!!

 

Sure am glad I was researching some bodywork questions. I was considering going to them for a paintjob on my 74. Looks like I'll be learning to paint, might as well since a sprayer came with my new air compressor.

 

Well I plan on getting a Maaco paintjob. I was Givin a 1970 ford f100 ranger and the paint on it is horrible. Deep scratches everywhere and rust in them. But, before I take it to maaco I will do all the body work myself. $377.00 for a paint job is super cheap and I honestly don't expect the world for that price. Although I saw a truck that just had that service done..and it looked nicer than i expected...

New Ford Truck owner.

Dustin

 

The main point here is you get what you pay for.
A complete, with minor body work (couple dings, maybe a small dent) usually will go for around $2000 or more. Just the chemicals alone could cost up to $800 assuming top quailty product, a lot more if you want some trick color or two tone.
If you don't have high expectations or have the attitude that "it looks better than it did" then maaco may work for you and thats cool.
It's all about the results you want and the $$$$ you want to spend.

 

I too was going to do the body work and then take my chances with macco. Now that I have so much time and effort into the body work I will not be doing that. I cant afford $5000 for a "pro" job so it looks like I will try to figure out some of the secrets of auto body paint. One thing is for sure, if anyone is going to mess up the paint job on my rig, it would be best if it was me.

 

What makes a Maaco paint job so cruddy. I don't doubt they are (I remember blasting paint of of an Earl Sheibb job on one of my dad's cars when I was washing it), but what is it that these cheap places do (or don't do) that makes them so bad. In other words, what do people who can only afford to paint our trucks ourselves need to avoid? I don't care if my truck is pretty, I just don't want the paint to peel off and the body to rust (again).

sean