getting your car painted... where?

[fiznat]

my girlfriend's sister just bought some 1995 POS Galant, and she had it painted over at Maaco for like 400 clams... I know people usually put down places like Maaco, but I gotta say- that flat black looked puuuurty for only $400! Seriously- I'm no paint expert - but what are the real differences between maaco's $400 and some body shop's $3000 paint job? I know that the more expensive ones will put more coats on, and they'll do more pre-paint work like sanding and bodywork... but what if your car is pretty clean to begin with, and you're covering with a darker color (like black)? Does it REALLY matter if it's Maaco or not?

[Chaotic1]

in 6 months, please do report back on the paint job! if it survives 6 months, we'll know it's a good deal! i'd like a paint job on my 240....

[fiznat]

heh yeah... it might be hard to tell the difference between low quality paint fading and what problems were caused by that girl's idiotic driving though... :rolleyes

...But that's really the difference then? Expensive paint job = longetivity?

[bp2ooo]

might even take up to 1 year for bubbling to occur, but when and if it does, it will spread like cancer. Thats the main diff. And most good body shops, the one i use charges alot more, but gives me a lifetime warranty on paint, against bubbling and peeling....

[I H8 UR DSM]

rollhard.com

[stickgoat]

I have personal positive experience with Maaco.

My fiance's previous car was an '88 RX-7 in that silvery-greyish color. The clearcoat was peeling pretty badly and the paint was faded in places, so he wanted to get it repainted.

We went to Maaco and spent a little over $300. A few days later he had a beautifully painted car. No overspray, no runs, just a very nice metallic silver paint job.

Almost 10 months later, the paint was still holding up great. No bubbling, no peeling, nothing. For $300 it was absolutely worth it. Granted they didn't do any bodywork, but his car didn't need any, so I don't know much regarding their aspects with that.

I'd go with Maaco for my own car if I didn't have much to spend but needed paint.

[johnpoppy]

how hard would it to paint your car yourself

granted you had the tools, is nice paint and hard work everything or is there special things you need to know?

[UncleBen]

i am interested in getting my car painted as well. same color preferably. but this dam chromillusion paint is pricey. i have seen those maaco comercials for $300 paint jobs. i wouldnt' trust my car with a $300 paint job. she only gets the best. it might be more expensive, but i feel alot better about it when its done.

[SSal007]

I would go to Maaco. But only for the top of the line paint job, which is about $1400, if I'm not mistaken. They sand the car completely and smoothen it out before paintng. They also strip the interior and paint the inside door penels as well. And they they even add a pearl to the paint mixture. Well worth its price.

[johnpoppy]

I know the paint will be hard to work with but your saying that if I could sand it down i would save a lot? Sanding metal/paint is a ***** though

[johnpoppy]

thanks