Maaco or DIY?

Mekkakat · May 1st, 2011, 05:36 PM

Think about painting my car... thoughts? If it was Maaco, I'd still do all that sanding too just as a disclaimer.

hybridxx · May 1st, 2011, 06:42 PM

I've seen some really really good maaco jobs, and then ive seen pretty horrible ones -.-; its always either or. most of the people ive talked to that have gone with maaco that end up getting a good paint job; did all the prep work themselves. and some have told me they even tip the people. nothing like a little bit of cash to have them put some effort into the job.

kkim · May 1st, 2011, 07:15 PM

I used to work in a paint shop... prep work is 90% of a great paint job.

if you know how to sand and prep the car properly, I'd do that then have them shoot the color for you. Depending on your expectations on how long you want the paint to last, it may be advantageous to pay a bit more for them to use a higher quality paint, if that's an option.

Flashmonkey · May 1st, 2011, 08:10 PM

Will shops allow you to do your own prep work? As Kelly said, prep is like 90% of the job and some shops may not want to take responsibility for crappy prep work.

If you've never done any kind of paint and body work before, I don't recommend trying to do it yourself if you're looking for pro quality. If you just want to spray bomb your car...go nuts.

kkim · May 1st, 2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flashmonkey

some shops may not want to take responsibility for crappy prep work.

lol... if you only knew how crappy a prep job those cheap paint places do, you would be surprised that the paint even sticks for as long as it does.

...but, yeah, you would need to check if they allow you to do at least the initial prep work so would would have a good, sanded base to start from. if you don't know about how to prep correctly, search online and I'm sure you'll find some great advice from pros. Rough rule of thumb... the more work it involves, the better the advice will be.

dk58 · May 3rd, 2011, 09:04 AM

Kelly is exactly right with the prep work comment. I have been looking around to get my car painted as well, so I have been investigating local places. From what I have heard, the Maaco (think the closest is Monroeville?) is completely terrible, even if you would do your own prep.

Mekkakat · May 3rd, 2011, 09:10 AM

Hmm, I really feel like I'm talking myself out of having Maaco do it now lol. I guess we'll see once this awful weather lets up

Off topic, we need a Pittsburgh ride day as soon as it STOPS RAINING. ugh. Lol
Posted via Mobile Device

CynicalC · May 3rd, 2011, 03:37 PM

Honestly for the $200 Maaco will charge you, you couldn't do a better job yourself. Do the prep work, and most importantly, mask off anything you don't want painted. Windows, trim, antenna... everything.

Green Streak · May 3rd, 2011, 04:55 PM

I had a MAACO paint job done on a car that I had. I got the cheapest one and it looked fine for a year or two. Then there was some cracking on the front and a couple other places where they probably didn't prep it quite good enough. But I was still pleased for the price. It made the car look much better than it did before. I didn't prep it at all, I let them do the whole thing. But it probably would have helped to have washed it down with a degreaser or something before taking it to them.

dk58 · May 3rd, 2011, 10:15 PM

I agree about the group ride!

Anyways, what is the car and how long do you plan on keeping it? A cheap respray will do nothing for the value if you plan on selling it in a few years.

Flashmonkey · May 4th, 2011, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

lol... if you only knew how crappy a prep job those cheap paint places do, you would be surprised that the paint even sticks for as long as it does.

I once had a paint job that started cracking a month after I got the car back haha. Good times....never again.

scotty · May 4th, 2011, 09:31 PM

I had an old car painted at Maaco once. Remember, they have differnt, "levels" of paint jobs. I paid for the best paing job they offered. I did do all my own body work, and was very pleased with the work.

CZroe · May 8th, 2011, 09:57 PM

I didn't know they even did bikes. Would they let you bring in just the fairings? I'd expect it cheaper than that considering the effort and costs are much less than a car.

May 1st, 2011, 05:36 PM	#1
Mekkakat Eternal Noob Name: Chase Location: Pittsburgh PA Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): "Blanka" 07' Ninja 250 Posts: 247	Maaco or DIY? Think about painting my car... thoughts? If it was Maaco, I'd still do all that sanding too just as a disclaimer.

May 3rd, 2011, 04:55 PM	#9
Green Streak Ninjette Owner Name: Rick Location: Aiken County, SC Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, a puddle of Ninja ZX6 Posts: 520	I had a MAACO paint job done on a car that I had. I got the cheapest one and it looked fine for a year or two. Then there was some cracking on the front and a couple other places where they probably didn't prep it quite good enough. But I was still pleased for the price. It made the car look much better than it did before. I didn't prep it at all, I let them do the whole thing. But it probably would have helped to have washed it down with a degreaser or something before taking it to them. __________________________________________________

May 4th, 2011, 09:31 PM	#12
scotty ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Scott Location: Carlise Ohio Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): Yahama v star 650 classic Posts: A lot.	I had an old car painted at Maaco once. Remember, they have differnt, "levels" of paint jobs. I paid for the best paing job they offered. I did do all my own body work, and was very pleased with the work. __________________________________________________

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May 1st, 2011, 06:42 PM	#2
hybridxx ninjette.org member Name: Rodrigo Location: SoCal Inland Empire Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): Someday.. Posts: 203	I've seen some really really good maaco jobs, and then ive seen pretty horrible ones -.-; its always either or. most of the people ive talked to that have gone with maaco that end up getting a good paint job; did all the prep work themselves. and some have told me they even tip the people. nothing like a little bit of cash to have them put some effort into the job.

May 1st, 2011, 07:15 PM	#3
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	I used to work in a paint shop... prep work is 90% of a great paint job. if you know how to sand and prep the car properly, I'd do that then have them shoot the color for you. Depending on your expectations on how long you want the paint to last, it may be advantageous to pay a bit more for them to use a higher quality paint, if that's an option.

May 1st, 2011, 08:10 PM	#4
Flashmonkey Professional belly dancer Name: James Location: Toronto Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 1992 GSX-R 750 Posts: A lot.	Will shops allow you to do your own prep work? As Kelly said, prep is like 90% of the job and some shops may not want to take responsibility for crappy prep work. If you've never done any kind of paint and body work before, I don't recommend trying to do it yourself if you're looking for pro quality. If you just want to spray bomb your car...go nuts.

May 3rd, 2011, 09:04 AM	#6
dk58 ninjette.org member Name: Dan Location: Pittsburgh, PA Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 10 Ninja 250R Posts: 160	Kelly is exactly right with the prep work comment. I have been looking around to get my car painted as well, so I have been investigating local places. From what I have heard, the Maaco (think the closest is Monroeville?) is completely terrible, even if you would do your own prep.

May 3rd, 2011, 09:10 AM	#7
Mekkakat Eternal Noob Name: Chase Location: Pittsburgh PA Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): "Blanka" 07' Ninja 250 Posts: 247	Hmm, I really feel like I'm talking myself out of having Maaco do it now lol. I guess we'll see once this awful weather lets up Off topic, we need a Pittsburgh ride day as soon as it STOPS RAINING. ugh. Lol Posted via Mobile Device

May 3rd, 2011, 03:37 PM	#8
CynicalC ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Colin Location: Bay Area Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): '96 EX250 Posts: A lot.	Honestly for the $200 Maaco will charge you, you couldn't do a better job yourself. Do the prep work, and most importantly, mask off anything you don't want painted. Windows, trim, antenna... everything.

May 3rd, 2011, 10:15 PM	#10
dk58 ninjette.org member Name: Dan Location: Pittsburgh, PA Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 10 Ninja 250R Posts: 160	I agree about the group ride! Anyways, what is the car and how long do you plan on keeping it? A cheap respray will do nothing for the value if you plan on selling it in a few years.

May 8th, 2011, 09:57 PM	#13
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	I didn't know they even did bikes. Would they let you bring in just the fairings? I'd expect it cheaper than that considering the effort and costs are much less than a car.