painting my car

[supmet]

Maaco has the "presidential service" which is a step above the cheapest paint job for 250 dollars...

I'm pretty sure they would do a bumper for 30 or 40, you got bent over alex.

[DerFlosser]

Originally Posted by supmet

Maaco has the "presidential service" which is a step above the cheapest paint job for 250 dollars...

I'm pretty sure they would do a bumper for 30 or 40, you got bent over alex.

What? It just isn't possible to paint a car for that kind of money. I have never see a maaco paint job where the clear coat did not peel off within 1 year. You can't walk into a body shop and get anything done for $500 and the more overhead...the more expensive. It cost me $10,000 to paint my M3 and that was an "under the table" cash job. Granted it's a show car paint job but there is not one minor collision and or minor work that isn't going to cost atleast $500 or north.

Maaco.....god! Don't send the guy there!

[ozmdd]

Originally Posted by supmet

Maaco has the "presidential service" which is a step above the cheapest paint job for 250 dollars...

I'm pretty sure they would do a bumper for 30 or 40, you got bent over alex.

The Maaco paint is fine for a DD, but you'll get a better job if you do as much prep work yourself as possible. Despite all the comments to the contrary, I have seen a number of good paint jobs that lasted well from Maaco for under $1000. I've also seen a few crappy jobs, but they were the $199 cheap-o on a crappy car,a nd they didnt want to pay for proper prep.

As for the idea that you can get a bumper done for $30-40, that's not close. The cheapest you can get in for is about $150, no matter the size of the job. That's what the booth time and equipment set-up/cleaning justifies charging, even if its only a spoiler. The amount of paint and the size of the vehicle is almost irrelevant. that's why a same-color respray can be done so cheap if you avoid door jambs, hoods and trunks. those require quite a bit more labor than just sanding and spraying large, flat surfaces.

If you do go the Maaco (or similar) budget route, opt for the upgraded packages, or even spring for the 2-stage. Its worth it.
Also, ask around: different shops have vastly different reputations. I have a Maaco in south Dallas that is known to have a really good product because the shop foreman runs a tight ship. I also know of another in town that screws up jobs all the time and has to re-paint frequently. The good shops will have a reputation.