So what do you think about...

[red95r]

Maaco and their auto body and paint work? I have a creased dent in my driver side quarter panel, and the paint matches on and off around the car. I talked to the head guy there and for $984 he'll fix the dent and paint the entire car BMW Black including door jambs. That's the presidential paint package. I've been to other places they want somewhere in the ballpark of 1500 - 2500 to fix it + money for paint. But they want to take the panel off.

I've heard horror stories about there shops, mainly the paint work. What do you think?

My dad got rear ended and he took his car there many years ago and they did good work, no problems 5 yrs later.

Any good suggestions for a body and paint shop..national chain, somewhere near Houston?

 

[duh09]

Maaco has a bad reputation because they really don't do much prep work... I'd take it to a regular shop (not a chain) if you want a nice quality paintjob, or Maaco if you just want a cheap slick paint for a few years. I'd save up and get the better job first if I was you and be done with it.

 

[MustangChris]

do the prep work yourself and you Maaco paint will be fine for 3-5 years.

Dont do the prep work and it will start falling off in large pieces in 6-18 months.

I only take my car to 1 dealer here in colorado for body/paint, so that shows you how much i trust paint and body shops.

 

[red95r]

do the prep work yourself and you Maaco paint will be fine for 3-5 years.

By this you mean sand it down to the primer taking off the badges etc?

 

[MustangChris]

take off the badges
sand down
clean the surfaces well
and if you can, use a premium quality primer and lay it down well in a secure enviroment.

Then take it into macco. your paint should last for a while with this. The problem with macco is they use medicore quality paint, so it only lasts a few years. the other problem is they dont do prep work.

also, your engine bay, door panels and trunk area wont be painted.

 

[red95r]

I got to thinking why not make a clean room in the garage hanging plastic from the roof and secure it to to floor. I have a huge air compressor in the garage which we use for making furniture and things. Rent the gun and do it my way.

Yes I know I'd have to practice and all, but at least I know the quality I'd do would be what I want.

Has anyone done this?

 

[MustangChris]

we painted my 1/4panel in the driveway. it orangepeeled. lol!!!

but ive seen this done 1000 times. its honestly a pretty good way to go at it.

also, you may want to look into renting a paint booth. thats very common here in denver.

 

[ARdoller]

youre gonna have the entire car painted AND have body work done, all for under $1000? lets just say you get what you pay for.

 

[Javi]

dont waste your time and money.
i hope you dont regret your decision.

 

[red95r]

Well after much deliberation I believe i'm going to continue on and use the money to buy a gt, preferably a 94 or 95 and use the 6 as a dd.

Thanks for the input!