To Paint or Not to Paint my 03 Blk MM

[HBTMD]

I am the original owner of a 03 Blk MM 300b with 36,000 miles, Baer 14" Front Brakes, Reinhart COI and tune. She has spent a lot of time outside and is not looking as pretty on the outside as she is on the inside. Nothing but Mobil 1 or top of the line synthetic Pennzoil in her veins every 3,000miles since the second oil change. This car is incredibly fast and reliable. :bows:

Got a scuffed front bumper and lot of marks from road pebbles and calcium spots from Fresno and Vegas ground water.

I suppose I could leave her in the original finish and call her a survivor.

The alleged first rate paint and body shops in the Las Vegas area want $5,000 to $8,000 for a paint job they assure me will look better than brand new. The Blue book value on the car as she sits is only about $8,000.

I understand I can expect at least 150,000 to 200,000 trouble free miles on it.

Maaco will give me a paint job for about $1,200 or less. So will 1 Day Paint.

They claim it will be as good or better than the original factory paint job.

Unfortunately I have seen very mixed reviews on the internet about these paint shops. Seems, however, that the Maaco in North Las Vegas gets a lot of very enthusiastic 5 out of 5 star reviews. A lot More 5 star reviews than the Maaco's I have looked up in other towns. :cool5:

Would you just drive her as is, or would you take a chance on Maaco, 1 Day Paint or any other shop in the Las Vegas area? :beer:

[myrodr]

if you don't mind the look drive as is... if you miss that new car shine and have the cash paint it. if looking to sell maybe you can break even. if it was mine new paint and keep till i die.

[WhatsUpDOHC]

Have you contacted a detailer?

[lji372]

Have you contacted a detailer?


what ^^^^^he said. a good detailer can do a heck of a job to make that baby look pretty dang good.:beer:

then take the rest of that cash and super charge that baby!!!!!! :banana2:

[WhatsUpDOHC]

then take the rest of that cash and super charge that baby!!!!!! :banana2:

^^^^^BINGO^^^^^^^

Great minds.................

[breeze]

Had maaco paint my crown Vic a 3 stage paint job and people didn't believe they did it cause it looked better then they could believe. Maaco shops aren't all the same, depends on management

[mrjones]

I had a good body shop that does a lot of custom work quote me $4000 to repait mine in the same color. That was not painting the door jambs or anything else. I know they do good work, but dayum. I'd love to repaint it in Ford's Tuxedo Black. We've got a new Expedition EL in that color and it's beautiful.

[cat in the hat]

Have you contacted a detailer?

This. Whatever beat up the old paint will beat up the new paint - get it freshened up and leave it at that.

[martyo]

You could barely buy decent materials to paint these cars for $1,200 so think of what a Maaco paint job is going to be like when that is the total cost.

Have the bumper painted - that should run you around $300.

Then find a really good paint and/or detail guy who knows how to cut and buff the paint -- that should run you between $600 and $900 more.

Your $1,200 would be way better spent this way. You would be shocked at how well you can make one of these cars look with a good cut and buff.

I wish you lived closer. I could put my painter on it and you'd be shocked with the outcome for the budget I laid out.

Bring the car to MVXI and leave the car with my paint guy for a few days while you enjoy the MVXI festivities......

[Dave1kRR]

You could barely buy decent materials to paint these cars for $1,200 so think of what a Maaco paint job is going to be like when that is the total cost.

Have the bumper painted - that should run you around $300.

Then find a really good paint and/or detail guy who knows how to cut and buff the paint -- that should run you between $600 and $900 more.

Your $1,200 would be way better spent this way. You would be shocked at how well you can make one of these cars look with a good cut and buff.

I wish you lived closer. I could put my painter on it and you'd be shocked with the outcome for the budget I laid out.

Bring the car to MVXI and leave the car with my paint guy for a few days while you enjoy the MVXI festivities......


http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/31/e6yjapy9.jpg

[martyo]

El Oh El Dave!

[HBTMD]

I talked to a very nice lady today at the Maaco in North Las Vegas. :)

This is the Maaco that has received virtually all 5 out of 5 star ratings on the internet. :bows:

They have multiple price ranges going from about $600 to $2,400.

The top of the line $2,400 package is 3 coats of Dupont color coat, 3 coats of Dupont clear coat, color sanding and all prep work.

She states this package should be beautiful and equal to the original factory paint job from Ford.

It is my understanding that each Maaco is an individual franchise that is locally owned and operated.

(Perhaps this is why this Maaco stands out heads and shoulders above the others)

Any recommendations on going forward with their paint job? :beer:

[RR|Suki]

I have a feeling maaco pads those ratings with their own workers... just saying. Paint is an expensive deal, the prep alone costs more than they say that can do it for. The paint shops telling you close to $8k is the honest number. For $2400 you aren't getting a quality paint job, can't see any way around that sorry.

[Curless]

There is NO way I'd let Maaco paint my MM....I am waaaay to fussy on this type of car. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR when it comes to paint work. Do you really want your MM painted by the same guy that paints an S-10 for $500?????

[HBTMD]

Thanks for the info. I always appreciate the honest answer. :beer:

[sflrainmaker01]

So, what'd you end up doing?:confused: Any pics?

FWIW, I had my old 1992 Towncar recently repainted by a local Maaco due to my paint being sunburned by the Florida sun (clear was peeling). They screwed up a few panels because the paint **** wierd (roof, trunk and fender). So, I had to go back and have them redo it. Meanwhile, the management turned over and they ended up giving me a free upgrade (I originally chose the cheap option) to the urethane stuff. They ended up repainting the whole car. It came out alot better but not quite near factory. But for $550, I was happy. Two years later, it still looked great! Then, I sold it and bought the MM! :banana:

However, I have found myself in a similar situation with RescuRauder, paint or not to paint? I got a nice Silver bumper, rear fascia, tail lights and spoiler that needs to be squirted black. I wonder about giving Maaco another shot or go for more $$ with someone else? RescuRauder has been repainted before and it ain't perfect. There is a new shop in town that is trying to get her in there. I saw a black GN roll out of the paint booth. WOW! It looked really good. But, it was wet sanded and buffed, too.

[mossiehorn]

has anyone done a wrap? I understand a good wrap is far less than a good paint job

[DEFYANT]

has anyone done a wrap? I understand a good wrap is far less than a good paint job

I am thinking of a wrap for that ole mustang I'm tinkering with. Anyone?

[whitey]

IMHO a wrap is fine, but dont expect a mirror like shine. Plastidip is even cheaper than a wrap, but again, even with the plastidip glossifier, the shine still wont be there like it would on paint.

[MyBlackBeasts]

Maaco is paint for a car you are getting rid of.

If you plan on keeping it & want it painted, spend the $ on a good job or you will end up painting again.

Marty's idea is the best. Paint the bumper & as long as the clear is still good a quality detailer can rejuvenate it for you.

[lifespeed]

painting is a lot of labor (prep work and sanding), and some significant materials cost. They use "liquid sandpaper" to etch the original paint to try and get the new paint to adhere without paying for labor to do it right. How do you think that is going to work out?

There is no way you can get quality results for Maaco prices.

[marauder410]

I work at a meinikie/ macco only 2 in the states but I work on the meinikie side...

there connected so I alwaysss walk over there to check out there work and to be honest I was quite surprised and yes the 2400 paint jobs do come out reallyyy niceee

the 600 is just a single stage and turn out good but NEVER do a marauder this way NO WAYYY

I reallyyy examine there work bec considering doing my MM there and my boss will work out a payment plan with me taking 200 a week out :D...but will get the 3 stage no doubt

[marauder410]

still considering I might wait into they get an awesomeeee paintier in there...guy now they come out good but not perfect

also like sais yes the macco are alllll indiviualyy owed franchises so there all different..all depends on what the boos hires and things

[boatmangc]

When I bought my MM, the paint was damaged badly, my guess is the original owner had a chunk of hardened concrete in his wash mitt. DEEP scratches in every panel.
I really expected to eventually paint but many hours with my Porter Cable and a plethora of polishes and my paint amazes most anyone who sees it.

Painting is a last resort, and it does diminish the value of a hopefully one day collectible car.