cheap Maaco paint job

[SilverBulletES]

Just saw a commercial that they're offering their $550 paint job for $275. The paint on my 'Crystal White' 90 looks like ass in a half dozen places. I think it's been touched-up or repainted (poorly) once. It's overall dull.... and it's peeling or cracked near windshield, near gas lid, right door, trunk.... it looks OK at 10 yards but not 10 feet.

Anyway, what do you think a $275 standard white paint job from Maaco would look like? Or is $275 just some come on deal?

 

[G-Papi]

Do your body work first.
I personally wouldn't use them. The reputation ain't that swift for the franchise.

 

[SilverBulletES]

I have to add we're dealing with a $2000 car here. Although I am eyeing a Flyin' Miata kit pretty hard now.

 

[G-Papi]

Then take your time and do your own body work - or find somebody to do it for you. You don't want them painting over cracked or peeling paint.

 

[k-lea]

ew, Maaco. Don't put the poor car through that.

 

[G-Papi]

I was being kind.

 

[k-lea]

Screw being kind. He'll realize his mistake not too far down the road if he goes with Maaco .

 

[G-Papi]

Ok
(direct)Don't do it, Guy!!!

 

[Foolish]

This is actually being discussed right now on the ATL SCCA forum, by some people who've had it done. Perhaps their opinion would hold more weight.

 

[kcbhiw]

ew, Maaco. Don't put the poor car through that.

+1


I'm reaping the results of a Maaco paint job by the P/O on the CSP car now. The paint is beginning to crack and fall off in spots. Granted, its sole purpose is as a racer and it will get nicked/scuffed/scratched, but I'd rather not have the paint fall off or crack.

I had to fix a couple small spots the other day to kill rust.

 

[MiaTurbo]

At 10 yards with a turbo, it'll look mighty fine as-is

My track car is 5 shades of red, and a silver front bumper. Clearcoat is flaking too. but I can't tell from the driver's seat while I pass Corvettes (rockon)

 

[kcbhiw]

Ahh, yes. The 10 yard rule. Gotta love it. It works for both of my Miaters.

 

[SilverBulletES]

Thanks for the input-- I was just wondering.

I'm thinking if I learn how to prep it right. myself -- it could be worth $275
But F' it. For the close future, the cash $ is all going towards zoom zoom. 1 more payment left on the Protegay!

 

[MiaTurbo]

If you really are short on cash, you could do all your own prep work since their special isn't gonna do diddlie-squat. then go ahead and get a cheap paint job to make it look like an OK job that will probably only last 5 years, instead of 2 years.

 

[kcbhiw]

I've done prep work on the Challenge car twice. Needless to say, it's a b****. A little Miata suddenly turns into a dump truck.

Doing prep work yourself properly will cost a lot more than $275 including primer (not the rattle can crap) - at least if you want the paint to stay on the car.

 

[z00mer]

Always remember.....
when it comes down to bodywork/paint job, you get what you pay for.

My $0.02 cents.

 

[cheapmiata1600]

One rule I've always lived by, "Crappy old paint looks way better than a new$$ crappy paint job".

Also, if you're gonna respray a crystal white car you need to get it pretty much down to bare metal if you want the new paint to stick for any length of time. The white cars flake because of a slow chemical reaction with the primer. My old miata was missing a good deal of its original white paint when I sold it.

 

[Roywhitep5]

flat black with spray paint. do it!

 

[JDM-P5]

That's why the turboyata is getting BW & NP in Turkey...it's uber cheap.

 

[lagunamiata]

A buddy in college had his MGB done by a Maaco... from 10 yards, looked great. Up close, ugh! You could see the grit (especially on the door jams) where they didn't wipe the car down before spraying the color... Looked like painted sandpaper in spots!