anybody ever been to or had any experience with maaco?

alanbobalan · 10-14-2005, 03:06 PM

is anyone famaliar with that bodyshop called maaco? i see the commercials on tv all the time and the advertising does a good job of making them look like a great body shop! i have a few dings and scratches on my taco i want to get rid of. just wondering if anyone has anything they could share with me about their experience with maaco. i usually hesistate when it comes to "big" companies advertising all over the place about how they're "better" than all the competition out there. unless they're really good at making commercials, this maaco place sounds interesting!!

-alan

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TACOMANATOR · 10-14-2005, 03:21 PM

They suck, big time. Don't waste your money.

shazaam · 10-14-2005, 03:50 PM

if you want paint on your truck they will put it on for you ..

jimbo74 · 10-14-2005, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdastg1

if you want paint on your truck they will put it on for you ..

it might look worse than a 3 year old doing it with a marker though.....

alanbobalan · 10-14-2005, 07:08 PM

hahahaha! so my instincts serve me right.

i've always noticed the better mechanics/shops are always the little places!

Flamedx4 · 10-17-2005, 01:10 PM

Their specialty is price. You can draw some conclusions from that...

BUT, I've had a couple of cars painted by them over the years. I have never had any body work done there though, I do my own. If your local Maico hasn't had big turnover recently the guys get enough practice to spray the paint very nicely. I was actually impressed with the quality of their work. It's cheap paint, that's all, fine for a POS daily driver or a trail rig or a car you want to sell. Hint: step up another $100 to their better paint job - it's better paint. Another way to look at it is they can paint it for you, better than you can probably do (because if you could do better you wouldn't be considering them anyway,) cheaper than you can buy the materials alone for. They are worth what they charge - its a good deal, BUT-

If you are looking for a top quality paint job, they are not the place. A top quality repaint will usually run you $2000 to $5000+, not $299 - $499.

sandcrawler · 10-17-2005, 01:14 PM

i agree with Flamedx4; maaco may be better than the average DIYer can do, but they use the cheapest materials...even if it looks OK, it won't last. if you're keeping the rig it's probably not a good way to go.

phorunninduke · 10-17-2005, 02:35 PM

I have heard that maaco has gotten alot better recently in quality of paint and work. I read an article a while back in a paint/body mag about how technology has improved so much that they actually do a good job for the price.

That being said I havent seen a maaco job in a long time. I do not beleive they do any body work, so what you bring in is what gets painted. (which is probably done well if the prep and body are good).

DH6twinotter · 10-17-2005, 02:47 PM

From what I hear, Maaco and other cheap places use an integrated clear coat in thier paint, meaning they don't spray the paint and then the clear on top. Everything is mixed in together. I know several people that got thier cars painted at cheap places and they didn't look that great at all. Lots of overspray too.

I thought about getting my 4runner repainted. I know a guy that will paint mine for $500 if I do all the prep work myself. Most of the cost goes to materials (paint and clear) and about $100 for labor. He is one of the best painters from where I came from and he uses either PPG or House of Kolors paint. If you can find somebody to do this, I think that is the way to go. Do some work yourself and save some money. But, if it is just a trail rig, just rattle can it or do a cheapo paint like maaco.

Just my $.02.
Have fun all.

Daniel

hondavxr · 10-17-2005, 06:16 PM

Maaco uses a one stage paint that is cheap. It includes the primer,base, and clear coat all in one. That's the reason why they could paint whole cars for so cheap. You could buy the one stage paint yourself also. It super cheap some colors you could get a whole gallon for $40. Stay away from Maaco, but if you want a cheap paint job that might chip and peel in a few months, then go there.

Glenn · 10-17-2005, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hondavxr

Maaco uses a one stage paint that is cheap. It includes the primer,base, and clear coat all in one. That's the reason why they could paint whole cars for so cheap. You could buy the one stage paint yourself also. It super cheap some colors you could get a whole gallon for $40. Stay away from Maaco, but if you want a cheap paint job that might chip and peel in a few months, then go there.

Yeah, one stage paints are synthetic enamels as opposed to urethane multi stage paints. They are no where near as tough as a good urethane paint from a reputable body shop or the factory. They will scratch, chip, fade, etc much sooner than any well done multi stage paint job costing $2000 and up.

sandcrawler · 10-18-2005, 05:51 AM

i think DH6 is on the right track...find a good shop that uses high-quality materials and do a lot of the prep work yourself... you can save a ton of money by just removing all the trim and doing all the tedious stuff so that the shop can concentrate on doing what they do best...

JuttyShabango · 10-18-2005, 05:57 AM

I have used Maaco with great success. I did a car for Jeg's and had my painter flake on me so after an agreement with the owner of the car we had it painted at Maaco.

They used DuPont Paint (Oil Slick Black) blocked the body ( shaved the door handles and use LEAD to fill in most of the work) and it turned out BEAUTIFUL! Kept tabs on them like you should with any shop and they had to check off with me on every stage of the paint.

Total price was 1500.00 for one KICK ARSE paint job.

It can be done,

ATP4984 · 10-19-2005, 09:17 PM

I hear they stop your car before they start painting now...

10-14-2005, 03:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
TACOMANATOR Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 645	They suck, big time. Don't waste your money. __________________ 2000 Taco SR5 V6 5speed TRD Airaid MIT Vortex muffler DEI 2-way Extang Tuff Tonno III

10-14-2005, 03:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
shazaam Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,057	if you want paint on your truck they will put it on for you .. __________________ Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, and the lesson afterwards. <-- the artist formerly known as sdastg1

10-14-2005, 07:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
alanbobalan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: chino hills, ca Posts: 330	hahahaha! so my instincts serve me right. i've always noticed the better mechanics/shops are always the little places! __________________ EL TRUCKO THE X-WING FIGHTER 94 2wd pickup 22-re 5 spd 28 mpg el trucko kills tie fighters and soccer moms. MR TACO 98 tacoma 4x4 sr5 3.4 v6 5 spd stock with 31s mr taco, you were a great pal. may you live long and prosper. THE MILLENIUM FALCON (R.I.P.) 87 4runner efi sr5 ummm rolled over with lots of junk that i wasted my money on.

10-17-2005, 01:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
Flamedx4 Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: 100 miles offshore as much as possible, & Springfield Oregon USA Posts: 3,285	Their specialty is price. You can draw some conclusions from that... BUT, I've had a couple of cars painted by them over the years. I have never had any body work done there though, I do my own. If your local Maico hasn't had big turnover recently the guys get enough practice to spray the paint very nicely. I was actually impressed with the quality of their work. It's cheap paint, that's all, fine for a POS daily driver or a trail rig or a car you want to sell. Hint: step up another $100 to their better paint job - it's better paint. Another way to look at it is they can paint it for you, better than you can probably do (because if you could do better you wouldn't be considering them anyway,) cheaper than you can buy the materials alone for. They are worth what they charge - its a good deal, BUT- If you are looking for a top quality paint job, they are not the place. A top quality repaint will usually run you $2000 to $5000+, not $299 - $499. __________________ All my Yotas are gone. Stuff to sell: http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.p...39#post1009839 -Phil Last edited by Flamedx4; 10-17-2005 at 01:12 PM.

10-17-2005, 01:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
sandcrawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: maine Posts: 404	i agree with Flamedx4; maaco may be better than the average DIYer can do, but they use the cheapest materials...even if it looks OK, it won't last. if you're keeping the rig it's probably not a good way to go. __________________ 2006 V8 Sport Edition, Galactic Grey

10-17-2005, 02:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
phorunninduke Banned Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Intercourse, PA Posts: 1,479	I have heard that maaco has gotten alot better recently in quality of paint and work. I read an article a while back in a paint/body mag about how technology has improved so much that they actually do a good job for the price. That being said I havent seen a maaco job in a long time. I do not beleive they do any body work, so what you bring in is what gets painted. (which is probably done well if the prep and body are good).

10-17-2005, 02:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
DH6twinotter Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Charlotte, North Carolina Posts: 1,676	From what I hear, Maaco and other cheap places use an integrated clear coat in thier paint, meaning they don't spray the paint and then the clear on top. Everything is mixed in together. I know several people that got thier cars painted at cheap places and they didn't look that great at all. Lots of overspray too. I thought about getting my 4runner repainted. I know a guy that will paint mine for $500 if I do all the prep work myself. Most of the cost goes to materials (paint and clear) and about $100 for labor. He is one of the best painters from where I came from and he uses either PPG or House of Kolors paint. If you can find somebody to do this, I think that is the way to go. Do some work yourself and save some money. But, if it is just a trail rig, just rattle can it or do a cheapo paint like maaco. Just my $.02. Have fun all. Daniel __________________ ------------------------------------------------ 1990 4Runner: SR5, 2wd, 3.90 rear, 3VZ-E, auto. 15x8 MT classic II rims, 31x10.50 Bridgestone Desert Duellers ($50!), Cobra CB, 3' firestick Planned stuff: Pre-runner light bar with Hella 500s, small lift Stuff I'd do if I went crazy: SAS, 7mgte or 1UZ swap, and as much offroad goodies as $$ will allow.

10-17-2005, 06:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
hondavxr Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 38	Maaco uses a one stage paint that is cheap. It includes the primer,base, and clear coat all in one. That's the reason why they could paint whole cars for so cheap. You could buy the one stage paint yourself also. It super cheap some colors you could get a whole gallon for $40. Stay away from Maaco, but if you want a cheap paint job that might chip and peel in a few months, then go there. __________________ 97 4runner Limited stock-Rolled over, Roof chopped off and getting new roof 400 hp Turbo Civic-GONE Thieves suck butt 13 sec NA Civic Hatch

10-18-2005, 05:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
sandcrawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: maine Posts: 404	i think DH6 is on the right track...find a good shop that uses high-quality materials and do a lot of the prep work yourself... you can save a ton of money by just removing all the trim and doing all the tedious stuff so that the shop can concentrate on doing what they do best... __________________ 2006 V8 Sport Edition, Galactic Grey

10-18-2005, 05:57 AM	#13 (permalink)
JuttyShabango Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,094	I have used Maaco with great success. I did a car for Jeg's and had my painter flake on me so after an agreement with the owner of the car we had it painted at Maaco. They used DuPont Paint (Oil Slick Black) blocked the body ( shaved the door handles and use LEAD to fill in most of the work) and it turned out BEAUTIFUL! Kept tabs on them like you should with any shop and they had to check off with me on every stage of the paint. Total price was 1500.00 for one KICK ARSE paint job. It can be done, __________________ Mark Van Meter Secretary, TLCA #15080 www.tlca.org The Buckeye Birfield Syndicate www.buckeyebirfield.com

10-19-2005, 09:17 PM	#14 (permalink)
ATP4984 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 69	I hear they stop your car before they start painting now...

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