New member with painting question?

I have a 1996 EX that I had, well since 1996 (one owner). I decided to keep the car since it has been a great car for me. I need to get it painted and some very minor body work but not sure if I’m going to the right places. I went to 3 places:

Econo Auto Painting and Body work with an estimate of $375 for a 3 year ‘warranty’
Maaco Collision repair and auto paint with an estimate of $1075.67 and 1311.07 for a 2 or 4 year warranty
And lastly a local body shop with an estimate of $1800.00 (2 weeks since he has to take all the parts off.)

Do you guys know about Econo and Maaco?

My plan mods are:

Paint and Body work
a Cold Air Intake
New Header
and new exhaust system

Thanks!
Pedro,
Largo, FL

 

[sm=welcomesign.gif] to HCF. [sm=groupwave.gif][sm=groupwave.gif][sm=groupwave.gif]

I would go to the loacl shop that quoted $1800

Maaco sucks.....the paint jobs that I've seen them do haven't lasted very long. Econo is probably worse with a price like $375.

 

macco, and places like that. dont use primer i heard, and just scuff up the paint and repaint. you should sand it down, and prime and paint it.

 

if you prime it yourself.... would the cheepy be worth it? cause you can prime a car for like 30 bucks and some of your own time.

 

I've seen some of the Maaco jobs after about a year and a half. You could see all the scuff marks and the paint was dull instead of shiney.

 

Around here a good paint job is 5K Canadian. You get exactly what you pay for.

Jeff

 

I agree.

 

yeah man don't mess around with paint, that should be pretty expensive. I have heard no good stories about Maaco, but have never heard of Econo. Your best bet is to go to the places, and ask to see they're work. Chances are they have a car or two in the lot that they have painted, and you can use that to judge their work. Don't be afraid to ask to see a few different examples either. For that amount of money, and something that has such a huge impact on the overall look of the car, you can never be too careful

 

ya a agree, local little guys usually do a great job on painting if you here good things about them..i know this guy who went to macco and he get such a bad job done to his car, they missed a hole bunch of spots with the clear and he had two bring it back twice so far...and he paid a decient amount to get it done

 

Great All!

Thanks, I will take it to the local guy. Hi did a hood repair for me 5 years ago and I know he does quality work. I just want to make sure that $1800 was a fair price to pay.