i would spend the big money and get a nice paint job


the paint job on my dads 1941 ford has lasted 10+ years and the paint is still in perfect condition it just needs some touch ups where it has bubbled above the headlights.

 

I learned to do all my paint and body work myself taking night classes at my local vocational school. They have all the tools, big compressors and a nice clean paint booth to spray in. It's alot of work to get it right, it is even more work to get black to look good.

 

Here's mine.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/soyouwanttobuildahotrod/

Go to the very last picture and work your way back to the first to see the progress.

 

I painted my first and last car when I painted Debbie. Metallic Blue, Gloss Black, 2x clear. Black will show peel way faster than lighter colors. 2 stage with clear to kill the peel is the way to go.

I won't comment on Maaco, but in general these chain outfits don't really need your business, so they probably aren't about to take the time to paint slowly or pay attention to any detail. An independant shop that relies on referrals and word of mouth where you can see professionalism is the way to go. If you approach a private owner with a pre-prepped deal to save some money, any decent shop will try to work with you, especially consideing the cool car you're bringing them to squirt.

Maaco isn't the only paint shop in your area unless you are really in the sticks. Shop around, and get a warranty. Good luck. You can never go wrong with a black gen 1 car. They are always cool.

Oh, You'll need a duster.

CP

 

The Maaco i worked at was a joke they thought bondo did fix it all we never pull a dent or rusted rust just bondoed over it.We never sanded them used a red scrub pad and used the cheapest paint napa sold.If you do all the prep work and have them paint it might be ok i rather do it myself or pay someone that cares what there doing.Yeah a car duster is nice a microfiber towel and mothers waterless wash works great too.

 

my neighbor got impatient after we spent abount 6 months replacing panels and doing bodywork on his 66 coupe.He got the paint done at Maaco for about $1200 and i dont think it lasted 3 years before it faded.

Dont do it or maybe get your own paint???

 

craigslist! you can find painters on craigslist pretty good!

also, maaco is a lot like hair salons. when my wife first got her license to do hair, only place that would hire her was Fantastic Sam's, because she had no experience aside from school.

Shes an EXCELLENT hairstylist, and was right out of school, so fantastic sams hired an excellent employee.

painting a car is much the same. it depends on who you get. just because it is cheap and fast does not mean that the person doing it for you is lousy at it. it might just be their first big break. again, it depends ALOT on who you get.

 

i worked at a shop that did quick work like macco right after collision repair school. i would paint 7 cars a day all over and do regular collision job in the other booth. we used shop line single stage(PPG value line) good paint though.


b4 my motorcycle wreck i was working at a regular shop painting, paint maybe 6 cars a week and make the same amount of money :P