MAACO

[cudadude013]

So I finally gave in and decided to take my '68 to MAACO. It was sitting outside in primer and I thought anything has to be better than this. I'm on a tight budget so I found one of the $275 presidential coupons and decided to give it a shot. They said the primer has some water bubbles and it will need new primer. So the final bill is $1400 (big jump from the $275 I was expecting!). Has anyone here had experience with MAACO? Good/bad? Are they honest? What quality should I expect?

I know... worthless without pics. I'll be posting pics as soon as its out of the shop.

Thanks!

[694spdRT]

PocketThunder had his '68 painted at a MAACO shop.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,154.0.html

[Hemidog]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,154.0.html
*edit: damn, too late 

[694spdRT]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,154.0.html
*edit: damn, too late 

He He. 

[cudadude013]

Thanks guys!

[69mopar]

I used Maaco to repaint this 76 vette. Yes, I know its a vette and not a dodge      but its a good example of what they can do. .  my charger is currently getting a paint job now there. have a look at the vette. they did a custom job for me with great colors. the paint is nice. Good quailty and its nice and smooth.

[BMOTOXSTAR]

My Satellite had 1 re-paint back in 85' at a MAACO in Florida.

The jams,trunk and engine bay were not painted and they matched the original green perfect.You can't notice at all when you open the doors, etc...
The original owners of the Satellite had MAACO paint the Satellite before they moved to Winsconsin, due to the Florida sun fading the paint.
The paint still looks great till' this day.

[Charger-Bodie]

MAACO body shops are just like anything else . There will be good ones and bad ones , do youre research and make sure you choose a good one! 

[68RT440]

I worked at MAACO for a few months and we had a 70 charger being done while I was working there. It all depends on the prepping. There were a few cars we painted that the customer prepped and put into primer and we had some issues. But as long as you prep it and do it right, from my experience it will turn out great.

[JimShine]

I am sure the price you pay makes a big difference as well. They are not going to want to put too much time into a $275 job.

[BMOTOXSTAR]

Earl Scheib had a deal where you roll down the windows when you take your car in for paint and they paint the interior for free.
I think Springsteen mentions the deal in one of his songs on a live version.....

[hemi-hampton]

Unfortunately I worked at a Maaco in the Late 80's. At that time the Presidential was $149.95 & I had to paint 1 car a hour or 8 a day. At 8 cars a day you are not going to get a Quality job. A Friend of mine took his car (70 Mach 1) to Maaco 3 years ago. I told him big mistake. He brought in Monday & they said it would be done Friday. He was paying $2,000 & figure it would take a week & they said a week. They call him Wednesday saying it's done. Come get it. For his $2,000 they painted jambs but didn't tape off anything, Painted over Rubber weatherstrip, latches, strickers, Vin Decal, ect ect. I told him looked like car sat Monday & Tuesday & then they cranked out a peice of crap Wednesday Morning. I know, I use to work at a Maaco. As you can see on that guys 68 Charger for his $5,000 they painted over his Master Cylinder, Master Cylinder backing plate(should be gloss black) Brake lines & Proportioning Valve, Caster Camber adjusting bolts (should be black phosphate coated) Shock rubbers, ect, ect. If you pay me $2,000 or $5,000 I'd do a better job then that. Maaco is fine if your not a Nit Picker. If your a Nit Picker wanting a showcar go Elsewhere.   LEON.

[bill440rt]

Unfortunately I worked at a Maaco in the Late 80's. At that time the Presidential was $149.95 & I had to paint 1 car a hour or 8 a day. At 8 cars a day you are not going to get a Quality job. A Friend of mine took his car (70 Mach 1) to Maaco 3 years ago. I told him big mistake. He brought in Monday & they said it would be done Friday. He was paying $2,000 & figure it would take a week & they said a week. They call him Wednesday saying it's done. Come get it. For his $2,000 they painted jambs but didn't tape off anything, Painted over Rubber weatherstrip, latches, strickers, Vin Decal, ect ect. I told him looked like car sat Monday & Tuesday & then they cranked out a peice of crap Wednesday Morning. I know, I use to work at a Maaco. As you can see on that guys 68 Charger for his $5,000 they painted over his Master Cylinder, Master Cylinder backing plate(should be gloss black) Brake lines & Proportioning Valve, Caster Camber adjusting bolts (should be black phosphate coated) Shock rubbers, ect, ect. If you pay me $2,000 or $5,000 I'd do a better job then that. Maaco is fine if your not a Nit Picker. If your a Nit Picker wanting a showcar go Elsewhere.   LEON.

As part of my job, I go to a LOT of body shops. Every Maaco I've been to has been a complete dust bowl. I've never seen a panel block sanded yet, everything is DA'd. They also do not use quality paints.
I guess Maaco has it's place, fine if you're building a driver or have a car you don't want to sink a lot of money into. Just don't expect a show car to come rolling out the spray booth doors.

[AutoRust]

We refer a lot of people to paint shops here.
Maaco is good if you dont want to look to close.
This is what I tell people all the time about paint.

I do a lot of stuff at the local circle track. You can paint a street stock with a broom if needed. It has to look good from 40 feet away at 65 mph.
The closer you want to look at it, the more you have to pay. If you can handle a few "imperfections" and dont need to to be show car material, Maaco will work. Around here they have invested a lot of $$ into new equipment and seem to be doing a better job.
I hear of guys spending $1000-1500 on MATERIALS alone.
Get what you can afford and dont be to picky.
The more you spend, the better it will be.

[Charger-Bodie]

I stand by my belief that there are some good MAACO shops....There is a member on here that runs a MAACO shop and seems to be on his game IMO . I think his name is MichealRW or something like that. 

[41husk]

You may talk to the painter on the side, he may do a better side job for the same money.  The painter is probably going to get about $150 on every thousand paid.

[hemihead]

 Just like everything from hiring an employee to work for your company to hiring a Body Shop to paint your car the bottom line is , you get what you pay for .

[hemi-hampton]

When I worked at Maaco it was $150 for Presidential & we used Synthetic Western Acrylic Enamel single stage (I've noticed lots of painters are not too familiar with spraying a metallic single stage) If you paid $300 you got the Supreme which was just a Cheap Western yellow looking clear that was what they call Intergrated with the paint. This means I just added clear to what paint was left of my 2 or 3 gallon Pressure Pot. If you where a big time spender that just hit the lotto you went for the base coat clear coat that was $600. This paint we used was called Phoenix paint . I must admit I did some old 1940 Ford Business coupe Street rod for a guy that came out Killer. He wanted Black metallic in base coat clear coat for $600. I laid down black base. A coat of clear tinted in silver metallic, Buried it in 3 coats of clear. No runs or dirt or orange peel. Best $600 job anybody ever seen. Guy was so happy came back with a case of Budweiser after work. LEON.

[DC_1]

I own a Maaco. I have done several cars that have faired pretty well in shows and several more that are excellent drivers. Biggest problem I have with people is expectations. It is true that we are a production shop and produce more cars in a week than the typical shop. However, if you are looking for higher end quality we can do that as well and have done so many times. My shop is not the typical Maaco as we have 3 frame machines and spray Waterborne paint on a regular basis. The average age a vehicle we work on is 4 years old and we do as many BMW, Mercedes and Lexus as we do Sunfires and Neons. When people come in wanting a $500 paint job I usually turn them away because the car needs $3000 worth of body work before I can even put primer on it. That being said there are allot of Maaco I know that paint 14 year old Toyota Camerys for $500 by the dozen. Thats the demand in their market and they are filling that demand. I particularly don't want to do that type of work and steer away from it. Bottom line, it doesn't matter who's name is on the sign tts what the owner of the shop is willing to let get out the door and does that meet your expectations.

Here is one of the latest cars I did.

[hemi-hampton]

Sydmoe, your right, people expect to much for what little they pay. Also, When people insult Maaco your the exception to the rule & they mean most Maaco's except yours. I can tell you, you did not do that El Camino for the Typical $300-$600 usual Maaco Price. Seems like the maaco I worked at would love to say sure we'll paint your car for $150 or $300 but we'll have to charge you $500 more for bodywork. Seemed like the low paint price was just a gimmick to get you in there then nail you with a big body work price. LEON.

[nh_mopar_fan]

Three years ago, I picked up a 2002 Sebring ragtop with 40K miles on it for $6000 less than book value because the idiot bought it for his girlfriend and less than a month later she decided she didn't like the factory forest green. He took it to Maaco and they sprayed it red for $500. 

3 months later, she dumped him. 

Since I would be running the miles up on the thing (I average 30K a year), I could care less what the paint was going to look like a few years down the road. It was a terrible paint job. The taping was terrible. Some of the tape was still on the car. Overspray was everywhere. It's no wonder no one else wanted the car.

1/2 the car has since been repainted thanks to idiot Boston drivers that have hit me. I'm hoping the other half gets whacked soon so all the Maaco will be gone.

I'm sure they can do great work when someone knows what to ask for. This guy was clueless and deserved what he got.

[sick dawg]

The MAACO's around me are all independently owned shops, so you never know what to expect.
We have one that's like a second chance shop that has some real talent on their payroll. This guy hires all the old painters and bodymen that get fired from allthe high dollar custom places around town. These are the dudes that have done the rounds of all the big money places and wore out their welcome and chances due to drugs and, or alcohol problems.  I have seen some killer stuff come out of this place on more than one occasion. On the other hand I've seen some real ugly too.  I guess in the long run you just have to be on top of things and do your homework before you let somebody shoot your car.

[Runner]

The MAACO's around me are all independently owned shops, so you never know what to expect.
We have one that's like a second chance shop that has some real talent on their payroll. This guy hires all the old painters and bodymen that get fired from allthe high dollar custom places around town. These are the dudes that have done the rounds of all the big money places and wore out their welcome and chances due to drugs and, or alcohol problems.  I have seen some killer stuff come out of this place on more than one occasion. On the other hand I've seen some real ugly too.  I guess in the long run you just have to be on top of things and do your homework before you let somebody shoot your car.

   what is it with druggies and body/paint work,  same thing seems to apply to tranny shops.  why do alot of them seem to work in these fields?  no drug testing?  ive had 3 cars painted at maaco and ive been pretty happy, 2 of the cars were painted there when a good friend owned it but then he sold it to someone i would call a friend but we arent real close.   good luck  hope it turns out great for ya!!   

[bull]

The MAACO's around me are all independently owned shops, so you never know what to expect.
We have one that's like a second chance shop that has some real talent on their payroll. This guy hires all the old painters and bodymen that get fired from allthe high dollar custom places around town. These are the dudes that have done the rounds of all the big money places and wore out their welcome and chances due to drugs and, or alcohol problems.  I have seen some killer stuff come out of this place on more than one occasion. On the other hand I've seen some real ugly too.  I guess in the long run you just have to be on top of things and do your homework before you let somebody shoot your car.

   what is it with druggies and body/paint work,  same thing seems to apply to tranny shops.  why do alot of them seem to work in these fields?  no drug testing?  ive had 3 cars painted at maaco and ive been pretty happy, 2 of the cars were painted there when a good friend owned it but then he sold it to someone i would call a friend but we arent real close.   good luck  hope it turns out great for ya!!   

Hey Runner, I can tell that first pic was taken by Wallowa Lake.

[DC_1]

The MAACO's around me are all independently owned shops, so you never know what to expect.
We have one that's like a second chance shop that has some real talent on their payroll. This guy hires all the old painters and bodymen that get fired from allthe high dollar custom places around town. These are the dudes that have done the rounds of all the big money places and wore out their welcome and chances due to drugs and, or alcohol problems.  I have seen some killer stuff come out of this place on more than one occasion. On the other hand I've seen some real ugly too.  I guess in the long run you just have to be on top of things and do your homework before you let somebody shoot your car.

Hahaha....that too funny. You just described my crew. Some are old timers that have been around and have worked on their fair share of $75,000 cars. They have some excellent talent but even now in their 50's have a hard time staying away from the brown bottle or the bong during the week. At first some feel too proud to come work at a Maaco but soon come to realize I don't put out sh*t or put up with it either. I don't turn anything away as long as the customer is willing to have me fix it properly and that ensures they always have a car in their stall and I have never had to send a bodyman home because of no work.

[BMOTOXSTAR]

Uh-Oh, Better get Maaco, remember that slogan?

[MichaelRW]

I stand by my belief that there are some good MAACO shops....There is a member on here that runs a MAACO shop and seems to be on his game IMO . I think his name is MichealRW or something like that. 

Yes, right you are. I own a Maaco in California. We do everything from the few hundred dollar cheapies to custom stuff. It all depends on what the customer wants and what they can afford to do.

[MichaelRW]

Seemed like the low paint price was just a gimmick to get you in there then nail you with a big body work price. LEON.

Maaco advertises the Ambassador Paint Job for $229 (the price in my market, other markets may be more or less). Some cars need very little prep or bodywork while others need a lot. The low paint price is not a gimmick because if you do all your own prep and bodywork we will paint your car for the $229. Of course, most people can't do this. It amazes though as to how many people will call or come in and think the $229 will cover prep, bodywork and paint. 

[694spdRT]

Seemed like the low paint price was just a gimmick to get you in there then nail you with a big body work price. LEON.

Maaco advertises the Ambassador Paint Job for $229 (the price in my market, other markets may be more or less). Some cars need very little prep or bodywork while others need a lot. The low paint price is not a gimmick because if you do all your own prep and bodywork we will paint your car for the $229. Of course, most people can't do this. It amazes though as to how many people will call or come in and think the $229 will cover prep, bodywork and paint. 

What do you get with the $229 Ambassador paint job? Is it sanding down the existing paint, taping, and then shooting it?

Disclaimer: I have and old Jeep that needs paint so its not for a Charger. 

[MichaelRW]

Seemed like the low paint price was just a gimmick to get you in there then nail you with a big body work price. LEON.

Maaco advertises the Ambassador Paint Job for $229 (the price in my market, other markets may be more or less). Some cars need very little prep or bodywork while others need a lot. The low paint price is not a gimmick because if you do all your own prep and bodywork we will paint your car for the $229. Of course, most people can't do this. It amazes though as to how many people will call or come in and think the $229 will cover prep, bodywork and paint. 

What do you get with the $229 Ambassador paint job? Is it sanding down the existing paint, taping, and then shooting it?

Disclaimer: I have and old Jeep that needs paint so its not for a Charger. 

Yes, it's just a hand sanding for adhesion, masking, shooting a sealer and then painting it the same color on the outside. Some people do their own prep and we simply scuff and shoot. It really is a good deal as you can't even buy the paint, sealer, hardener and reducer for that. The $229 is for cars only. Trucks are extra depending on the size.

[694spdRT]

Seemed like the low paint price was just a gimmick to get you in there then nail you with a big body work price. LEON.

Maaco advertises the Ambassador Paint Job for $229 (the price in my market, other markets may be more or less). Some cars need very little prep or bodywork while others need a lot. The low paint price is not a gimmick because if you do all your own prep and bodywork we will paint your car for the $229. Of course, most people can't do this. It amazes though as to how many people will call or come in and think the $229 will cover prep, bodywork and paint. 

What do you get with the $229 Ambassador paint job? Is it sanding down the existing paint, taping, and then shooting it?

Disclaimer: I have and old Jeep that needs paint so its not for a Charger. 

Yes, it's just a hand sanding for adhesion, masking, shooting a sealer and then painting it the same color on the outside. Some people do their own prep and we simply scuff and shoot. It really is a good deal as you can't even buy the paint, sealer, hardener and reducer for that. The $229 is for cars only. Trucks are extra depending on the size.

Thanks for the info. I think this kind of work definately has its place. Fully restored the old Jeep would probably not be worth the price of a standard paint job.

[Runner]

yup bull, thats wallawa

[HITMAN 149]

excellent info...
as i was pondering taking the caddy to maaco (one 5 mins from me down the road) hahaha it's on my list of things to do tomorrow!!! i'm trying to keep the resto costs down on her, vs her value.
she's already white... so i was gonna do her in a pearl white , like the new caddy's... also white hides body imperfections the best.. as i've been told???  she does need some body work as well as the paint.
hmmmm anybody hear any good OR bad about any maaco's in jersey?!?!? i'm right by the one in keyport nj on route 35.
thanks guys!!!!!

[HITMAN 149]

I used Maaco to repaint this 76 vette. Yes, I know its a vette and not a dodge      but its a good example of what they can do. .  my charger is currently getting a paint job now there. have a look at the vette. they did a custom job for me with great colors. the paint is nice. Good quailty and its nice and smooth.

aghhhhh you killed that vette w/ the luggage rack!!!!!!!!! lol
nice vette!!! 

[hemi-hampton]

HITMAN, Pearl white is a tri stage (3 stage) paint job, Pearls are always going to cost you more. LEON.

[HITMAN 149]

hey leon... 
ok... cmon take a quick trip to joisey.. and paint my caddy for me!!! LOL
thanks.. yea that's what i've been told. ehh we'll see.. i have a couple places i'm gonna scope out??
i just want a decent job for a decent price in a decent time frame!!!  ok.. i'm prob dilusional!!! lol
thanks

i'll keep ya posted!!

[MichaelRW]

Seemed like the low paint price was just a gimmick to get you in there then nail you with a big body work price. LEON.

Maaco advertises the Ambassador Paint Job for $229 (the price in my market, other markets may be more or less). Some cars need very little prep or bodywork while others need a lot. The low paint price is not a gimmick because if you do all your own prep and bodywork we will paint your car for the $229. Of course, most people can't do this. It amazes though as to how many people will call or come in and think the $229 will cover prep, bodywork and paint. 

What do you get with the $229 Ambassador paint job? Is it sanding down the existing paint, taping, and then shooting it?

Disclaimer: I have and old Jeep that needs paint so its not for a Charger. 

Yes, it's just a hand sanding for adhesion, masking, shooting a sealer and then painting it the same color on the outside. Some people do their own prep and we simply scuff and shoot. It really is a good deal as you can't even buy the paint, sealer, hardener and reducer for that. The $229 is for cars only. Trucks are extra depending on the size.

I need to correct something I wrote yesterday. I said the $229 includes sealer, it does not. Sealer is $49.95 extra. However, if a customer insists on only the paint and nothing else I still seal the car so it will look ok and not charge for it. I call this under promise and over deliver.

[AutoRust]

I call this under promise and over deliver.

Thats GREAT. Even if they dont know you did the extras, Good customer service goes a long way.



We send a lot of customers to MAACO after we repair the rockers and lower quarters on cars that didn't pass safety inspection. 10 times out of 9 they end up having the complete car painted. Sure there might be an imperfection or 2, but for $7-800 bucks, so what. Most of the time my customers are thrilled, there old sh*tbox looks like a new car to them, and they are happy.

DR

[MichaelRW]

I call this under promise and over deliver.

Thats GREAT. Even if they dont know you did the extras, Good customer service goes a long way.



We send a lot of customers to MAACO after we repair the rockers and lower quarters on cars that didn't pass safety inspection. 10 times out of 9 they end up having the complete car painted. Sure there might be an imperfection or 2, but for $7-800 bucks, so what. Most of the time my customers are thrilled, there old sh*tbox looks like a new car to them, and they are happy.

DR

Now you're a guy that understands the program.

[HITMAN 149]

well i just got back from 3 area body shops..
the first one said..um they really don't do complete paint jobs?!?!? WTF?? i'm glad they are a body shop.. he said stop by again on sat & speak w/ his father, who may feel nostalgic?!?!? lol
the 2nd one said at least MINIMUM $10K!!! 
and maaaaaaaco said no prob, between $5-6K depends on if i have them grind & fill w/ fiberglass or weld in new metal?? and also depends on how much time to take off my old rusty bumpers & put the nicer one's i'm getting on?
so there's my body shop trek today...
i'm still gonna stop off at another shop, that a guy i work with has a piece of, and see what he says.

[MichaelRW]

well i just got back from 3 area body shops..
the first one said..um they really don't do complete paint jobs?!?!? WTF?? i'm glad they are a body shop.. he said stop by again on sat & speak w/ his father, who may feel nostalgic?!?!? lol

This is not surprising. Most bodyshops are insurance DRP's and all they want to do are spot jobs. I routinely have other bodyshops refer complete paints to me.

[HITMAN 149]

hey mike..
yea i was surprised!! meanwhile this was a BIG shop... they just re-did the place all really nice & modern!!! but they only do spot work!?!?!? sheeeesh.. what's this world comming to?!?!
geeez i gotta be carefull next time i go for another tattoo... i hope they do the whole piece & not 1/2 of it!!! LOL

[AutoRust]

well i just got back from 3 area body shops..
the first one said..um they really don't do complete paint jobs?!?!? WTF?? i'm glad they are a body shop.. he said stop by again on sat & speak w/ his father, who may feel nostalgic?!?!? lol
the 2nd one said at least MINIMUM $10K!!! 
and maaaaaaaco said no prob, between $5-6K depends on if i have them grind & fill w/ fiberglass or weld in new metal?? and also depends on how much time to take off my old rusty bumpers & put the nicer one's i'm getting on?
so there's my body shop trek today...
i'm still gonna stop off at another shop, that a guy i work with has a piece of, and see what he says.

Sounds typical to me. Most of the body shops around here ( New England) will not even allow an older car in there shop. There is always the little renegade shops around, that are desperate for work, and they take them in on a wing-n-a-prayer. Usually with a lowball price that will spiral out of control after they realize what there up against. Then they usually push it aside and use it for "fill" work. My understanding of that means only as a last resort, and even then its a stretch to get them to do quality work.
The modern auto body shops are great for insurance work, I had my Audi in for a minor fender bender. Amazing job, cant even tell they painted the hood, fender and bumper cover. I am good buddy's with the owner, he does not want me to refer paint work to him. No way, collision sure, but not resto work.
I guess its his business model, and works for him.
It sure opens the door for someone to step in and offer this type of service.

Good luck with your search. Insist on seeing references, check the shop out carefully, and ask around the other shops and see what they think of the one your considering. I have noticed lots of guys on this and other forums that have brought stuff to the buddy's and eventually they are no longer buddy's.

[HITMAN 149]

yea i guess that's the name of the game nowadays!?!?!? spot work is in!?!?!? lol
ehhhh we'll see what i can figure out... maaco had a bunch of pics of old cars that they did there and looked like they came out good. but pics can be deceiving!! lol
there's another shop in the area that i forgot about, i'm going in a bit, they painted a friends bike, and it came out pretty sweet. so the hunt continues!!!! lol
thanks!! 

[hemi-hampton]

So what ever happened to Cudadude013 the original poster who originally asked this Maaco question, Did he get his 68 Painted at Maaco, He said he was going to post Pictures, Lets see the results LEON.

[cudadude013]

Hey Leon,

Just got her back from Maaco last week. Some overspray and other shortcuts that could have been expected but I'm happy with the $1400 paint job. 

I've almost finished reinstalling the trim, here ya go...

[cudadude013]

and again

[hemi-hampton]

Is it single stage enamel or Base Coat clear coat Urethane? What color or paint code is that blue? LEON.

[cudadude013]

You can't tell but its actually purple. Someone had already completed the engine bay and door jambs with plum crazy so they just matched it the closest they could. 

[hemi-hampton]

There is 2 different variations on the FC7 Plumcrazy Purple. One is lighter & one is darker brighter. That one doesn't look like either really but hard to tell from Pics. LEON.