Maaco & PPG Products (modified):

[Captain D]

Hello all,

I'm planning on having Epoxy primer applied to my Charger sometime early this summer. I began calling around a few local garages and shops for price quotes, and one of those shops was Maaco. Even though I've heard some horror stories concerning Maaco, I thought that I would call just to see if they can apply an Epoxy primer. The manager whom I spoke with said that not only do they use PPG Epoxy primer, but they only use PPG products on all of their work.

Maybe I stumbled onto a quality Maaco, since I've heard that they tend to vary from location to location, but I thought that the standard usage of PPG products on all of their jobs sounded too good to be true. I did not know that they used PPG products. They're price quote for them to "apply PPG Epoxy primer" to a 69' Charger was approximately $500. Has anyone taken their car to Maaco for epoxy primer? If so, what was the end result if I may ask please?

Thank you for your time and for any replies,
Aaron

[mikepmcs]

Aaron,
Maybe the question is, not so much the quality of their products as compared to the quality of their technicians and how the vehicle might be prepped prior to applying said epoxy primer.  I can buy a $1000 butcher's knife but I still can't cut meat like a butcher. 

v/r
Mike

[richard pettys 73]

MY WIFE JUST HAD HER CAR DONE BY MACCO  :icon_smile_big:THEY USED DUPONT PAINT AND SEALERS ALL SUPLIED FROM A PAINT SHOP THAT THEY HAVE BEEN USING FOR YEARS. .... COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS MY WIFES AUNTS PAINT STORE AND SHE SAID THEY HAVE ALWAYS ORDERED DUPONT SUPPLIES .....AS FOR THE PAINT JOB WELL THE VEHICLE LOOKED ALOT BETTER BUT THERE WERE A FEW BLEMISHES AT FIRST WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION THEY FIXED IT RIGHT AWAY . I WAS VERRY SUPRISED ABOUT THE LEVEL OF SERVICE WE GOT FROM THEM SO I GUESS THERE ARE SOME GOOD MACCOS OUT THERE WITH GOOD EMPLOYEES WHO REALLY DO CARE ABOUT THE JOB THEY DO!!

[Captain D]

Thank you fellas for the responses 

As for the quality of the paint, I just simply meant that I've read some stories where customers reported incidences where the paint had cracked and peeled in some areas where the quality was called into question. But, you're right, a lot has to do with the prepping and who actually performs the job itself. So, I apologize for the confusion.

But, for my purposes, I'm simply curious to see if anyone has taken their car to get epoxy primered at any of the Maaco's, if there were any problems, and not to open up a can of worms over Maaco's actual painting. Overall, my car has been taken down to the metal and has etching primer on it.

All the best,
Aaron

[Corellian Corvette]

I've heard mixed on Macco as well - I'm sure you'll get a variety of opinions, but what I've heard from others is that the painters at Macco - in terms of spraying paint - are actually pretty good. The problem is that the shop either a) uses cheap paint or b) spends very little time on prep/detail work (masking/cleaning/etc.)

If you do a lot of the prep work yourself, and mimimize the amount of 'masking' that has to be done, I've heard of several people getting pretty good results. And, of course, if you take the time to do some of the sanding and buffing yourself, you'll get an even better job.

[hemi-hampton]

When I worked at Maaco 20 years ago I had to paint 1 car a hour or 8 a day. And we used cheap garbage paint called Western Synthetic acrylic enamel (single stage) & only half the recomnmended hardener to save money. What do you expect for 1 hour & $149.95 Presidential. Supreme was $300.00  Actually if you were not nit picky at all & not expecting a showcar or anything even close to a showcar I dont think they were that bad considering price. Have fun wet sanding & rubbing the metallics on a single stage though LEON.

[r_biccum]

I worked at maaco 6 years ago, and I will say, you get what you pay for. I was a prepper, and its just rush rush rush. Tape off the door handles and trim, scrub it with red scotch brite, and get it in the booth. Shouldnt take more than 45 min per car to prep. NOT GOOD WORK... thats why I left. I saw horrible body work with wet paper towels, duct tape, and a lot of bondo. The painters werent always the most experienced either.. You get what you pay for...

[mopar0166]

macco is a case by basis, go down the local macco and visit it, look over what they will be using and so forth.  if your worried about them not masking everything do some of it for them.    I personally did all my own body work and primer to elimnate all of that.  i feel very comfortable with the gyu who will paint the car the products they will be using and so forth.   On the other hand the macco across town is a way different story.   just do your homework on your presonnel macco you want to use and you should be fine,  also ask local car clubs on thier opinions.   good luck ill let you know how i make out, mines going to paint in two weeks   

[Fitz73Chrgr]

I think one of the members on here (can't remember who it is) had his red '68 painted at Maaco & it turned out very well. 

[Captain D]

Thanks again fellas for the responses,

"IF" I do go with Maaco for the epoxy primer, I'll be sure to stop in and talk with those on staff. In the meantime, I may call with a few more questions, especially to see if they use DP50LF epoxy since I too will be using PPG brand paints. Thank you again for your time and input.

All the best,
Aaron

[hemi-hampton]

The guy with the red 68 Charger done at Maaco was charged $5,000. And for the $5,000 they painted his Power brake booster, k-frame, blower motor & everything else that was not suppose to be painted red. Yeah, Thats a real quality job there.

[Fitz73Chrgr]

The guy with the red 68 Charger done at Maaco was charged $5,000. And for the $5,000 they painted his Power brake booster, k-frame, blower motor & everything else that was not suppose to be painted red. Yeah, Thats a real quality job there.

I stand corrected.

[superbirdtom]

When I worked at Maaco 20 years ago I had to paint 1 car a hour or 8 a day. And we used cheap garbage paint called Western Synthetic acrylic enamel (single stage) & only half the recomnmended hardener to save money. What do you expect for 1 hour & $149.95 Presidential. Supreme was $300.00  Actually if you were not nit picky at all & not expecting a showcar or anything even close to a showcar I dont think they were that bad considering price. Have fun wet sanding & rubbing the metallics on a single stage though LEON.

                >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I worked at carcoa in L.A. for a while down in compton on rosecrans ave right about where the guy got the brick in the head. I like you painted 6 to 8 cars a day. all mexican preppers . a complete paintjob including door jambs and trunk . 125 bucks. unreal. we used nason synthetic enamel. goes on like glass and burns off in a year. you had your basic then went up dependig on how much hardner you scrimped in. Also you only had choice of some basic colors .  If you wanted same color as car, I had to mix all by eye no formulas , that is where i got real good at matching colors. story moral is you get what you pay for. 

[Bob]

Hello all,

I'm planning on having Epoxy primer applied to my Charger sometime early this summer. I began calling around a few local garages and shops for price quotes, and one of those shops was Maaco. Even though I've heard some horror stories concerning Maaco, I thought that I would call just to see if they can apply an Epoxy primer. The manager whom I spoke with said that not only do they use PPG Epoxy primer, but they only use PPG products on all of their work.

Maybe I stumbled onto a quality Maaco, since I've heard that they tend to vary from location to location, but I thought that the standard usage of PPG products on all of their jobs sounded too good to be true. I did not know that they used PPG products. They're price quote for them to "apply PPG Epoxy primer" to a 69' Charger was approximately $500. Has anyone taken their car to Maaco for epoxy primer? If so, what was the end result if I may ask please?

Thank you for your time and for any replies,
Aaron

I just had my wifes 1990 240 Volvo done at Maaco. PPG products all the way. She has had the car since new so the hood/roof/trunk lid were peeling pretty bad. Where the paint/clear coat was peeling it had to go to metal. $660.00
It was an ok paint job but then you get what you pay for. Would I use them again....Yes.
They did have a few classics in the shop preparing them for paint.

[Silver R/T]

like it's been said above, Maaco's are franchises so quality is based on location.

[Captain D]

I forgot to ask...Once epoxy primer has been applied, how long should I wait to apply any body filler, such as fiberglass spot glazing putty, to the car?

Thank you again,
Aaron

[Rolling_Thunder]

I've used one day paint before...   took them 2 weeks...    my brother's Chevelle was painted there...    and honestly - it wasnt THAT bad considering the price...    We took them the car completely stripped of trim and brightwork...    they did overspray the engine bay and the wheels...     but when I pointed it out they fixed it right away (I am a very persuasive guy)   The paint is 6 years old and still looks great...    I know they used a single stage paint - right off the wall (Performance red or some shit)

[mikepmcs]

I imagine about 2-3 hours at around 70-80 degrees and relatively low humidity.

[Captain D]

Thank you once again Mike for the response  . Hope that you're doing good these days!

Rolling_Thunder - swete pic, you say that you had er' painted @ Maaco? What did they charge if I may ask?

All the best,
Aaron

[Rolling_Thunder]

it was painted at one day paint...    think it was around $600

[73rallye440magnum]

May I reccomend Sikkens LV epoxy...

[PocketThunder]

I think one of the members on here (can't remember who it is) had his red '68 painted at Maaco & it turned out very well. 

   As the others have said, you get what you paid for.  I paid $5000 and they used DuPont products.

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