Paintscratch.com or Maaco job?

[j602]

Yeah I did some of the prep work myself. Someone mentioned earlier that none of the dents etc. were repaired. They weren't fixed because they weren't supposed to be. You have to pay extra for a paint shop to repair the body. I did it myself and saved some cash.

 

[DeRocha]

Absolutely correct Josh... You can luck out and go to Maaco and have an experienced team (prep guy and painter) do an awesome job. It can be hit or miss because the shop probably employes several painters... Obvioulsy no one wants the new guy to paint their rig...

 

[JWood]

This is all good information -

and the results are dependant on prep and application. I just need for it look good again. It has always been well cared for, not garaged, but kept clean and waxed... then the roof and hood just began to peel.

If Macco made mine look like like Josh's then I would be thrilled. In fact I have seen a 1st gen Macco paint job (Black) that really surprised me. I will probably go that route with some of my own prep work first.

Thanks for your comments guys.

J

 

[Brock94]

For anyone who knows-- How much is a "good" paint job? Not show-car good, but maybe something comparable to the factory job.

 

[JWood]

Brock you can count on $1,000 minimum for a "Good" paint job; in fact I don't think even thats high enough. For my purpose I just need a "satisfactory" job that will last for a couple more years, no dent removal or anything, just nice shiny paint that won't peel in 6 months.

 

[aldive]

For anyone who knows-- How much is a "good" paint job? Not show-car good, but maybe something comparable to the factory job.

Several thousand dollars.

 

[Brandons]

The paintcoat from ford on the 94 has held up extremely well. Only problem is above the back hatch, were you cant really see anyways. Though there is no rust were the paint is gone. If i were to get it repainted, id get a nice paint job done and put out the extra $$$ since i dont really offroad much, and if i do this area isnt bad for scratches.

 

[JWood]

Brandon you are lucky that yours has held up. I have noticed many 1st Gen Xs over the years and Aerostars as well with paint jobs that are flaking off.

In fact mine started above the hatch opening on either side of the taillight that's up there and spread out. Now it's all through the drain troughs and flat surface of the roof.... really ugy.

 

[Brandons]

I can still see my reflection in the paint coat, and some pics i have show this lol, its kind of funny seeing a green reflection of yourself.

I photochopped out the background of this pic a while ago..

 

[JWood]

Wow yours does look great. I rememeber when my 93 did as well.

The sides and fenders on mine still look fine. It's just the roof and hood that are shot.

 

[Brandons]

Probably from heat from the sun is why the roof is so bad? I can see that starting on the roof of mine..

 

[JWood]

I am sure the heat has something to do with it. But the thing is once it started, it seemed to spread quickly, and nothing short of sanding, priming, and painting is going to stop it.

 

[huskyfan23]

What constitutes a good paint job? I say if the paint's smooth, shines, and lasts, it's good. A friend told me the best primer is factory paint, so if this is true, removing the old paint and all that is pointless.

 

[JWood]

Husky you raise a good point and I do not know the answer. I have never done any body work at all, but it seems to me that the original paint would need to be sanded and primed for the new paint to adhere properly.

If someone else knows I wish they would comment on this.

 

[Glacier991]

Paint consists of several steps....one of the most important is PREP. This is all labor and hence costly, and therefor often skimped on in a cheap job. Next is the quality of the material - single stage paint or basecoat/clearcoat?, what brand?, etc. Quality paint alone can run you $400 easily. Next is the painter, though there is a little less variable here.. the newer equipment makes it a little easier. Finally is the finish. Do we wetsand the clearcoat and buff, or deliver it as is?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder... whether you get what you pay for can be argued, but you won't get what you do not pay for, that is for certain.

Pays your money, takes your choices.

 

[aldive]

Ya can't make chicken salad out of chicken poop, no matter how much mayo you add ....

 

[JWood]

Ok good comments, so for a compromise and realizing what you have said is true, what would be the minimum work you would recommend doing your self before taking the truck to Macco?

 

[huskyfan23]

Well, they'll do what you ask them to, at a cost. I'd sand everything smooth and fix any dents you don't want.

 

[jeff96]

agrees with stic-o. Do some mild prep work your self like cleaning the car removing trim, and maybe rough up the clear coat alittle so the paint will stick better. My wife got my old neon painted for 300 bucks while i was in korea. Got out of the shop the day i got back. Needless to say they painted the foglights for free....But i was happy with the paint job becuase it was'nt a showcar. It did have 1 or 2 chips though a couple months later on the very front of the hood where there was alittle rust that was painted over. Nothing big

 

[j602]

Several thousand dollars.

Where are you getting these numbers?? Geez, he said he wanted a good paint job, NOT show quality. What "good" paint job do you know of that costs several thousand dollars?

The paint job I got at Maaco was on sale for about $250. I think it was the Presidential package, regular cost about $500. I decided to go with black instead of the stock green which cost me and additional $50 for the color change. If I remember correctly, the Presidential package includes machine sanding, base coat, clear coat, and UV protection. Just go to Maaco and check out the types and prices of packages they have. Check out some of the recently painted cars to get a feel for their work, and do the prep work yourself. If you do these things, it should turn out fine.