Have a 69 El Camino that I had ALL the moulding taken off...so the car is stripped. I had someone do the body work and weld and patch the rust holes behind front wheel wells.
He used a thick grey primer to get the car ready for painting(don't know what type). Does it still have do have a major sanding job to get it ready for painting? A few years ago I took a mustang , after stripping all the moulding off to Macco to get a paint job.The cost was around $270.00 What would have to be done if I took it to Macco.....would they do a god enough job of sanding the primer and how about the quality of the paint they use and the quality of the work ?


Thanks.........

Well, not sure of the other questions but I do know this - Pay 270.00 for a paint job and you'll get a $270 paint job. Might look good for the first year from 25/50 ft away, but after that you're taking a gamble. I have seen some ok paint jobs and some really horrible paint jobs from these guys. The only great paint job I have seen was an owners car and thats because, well, it was the owners car.

Shop around for a good paint / body man, check the work and ensure you're getting what you want or go to MAACO and roll the dice. My bets you'll be back. Not trying to bash them, just stating what I have seen with my own two ears http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

You'll get what you pay for. Just keep that in your head when considering the $270 monthly special from the big chains.

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'70 SS 396
4spd, 4.10's and a smile
TC# 1341
Beaux
The SS (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/btmyss.JPG)
My sloppy engine bay (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/btmill.JPG)

Life is a game. You just have to know the cheat codes to win.

[This message has been edited by Midnight Marauder (edited 03-25-2002).]

MAACO will just send out a team of rookies, 3 on each side, and have that car sanded in about 15 minuites, the painter will grab ahold of his gun with paint in it(wrong color),pour it out, pour yours in, without cleaning, and sling paint like never before. he would have more time in pouring the paint out of his gun then spraying the car. I know its sad, but true. If he doesnt paint 20 cars in one day, he is doing something wrong. Im sure you can find a reputible shop around town that can help you out. As midnight says "you get what you pay for."

good luck
http://budruski.myplace.com/

I have my car ready for a paint job and can't find anyone to do it. Other then Maaco and Miracle and one guy who said his paint jobs start at 10k and go up. I have been to at least 20 shops and all they want to do is insurance work. I drive this car to work everyday, my kids drive it when I'm not and the wife hates it. I don't want to spend 10k on paint. Has anyone else had this problem? Can anyone reccomend a paint shop in the San Francisco bay area?


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1967 Chevelle convertible with a 1999 LS1 engine and a 4L60E transmission.
Also, looking to purchase a Posi rear-end, 10 or 12 bolt, prefer 3.08 or 3.36 ratio, for a 64 thru 67 Chevelle.

[This message has been edited by 67_LS1 (edited 03-27-2002).]

A $2000 paint job that lasts 10 years is only $200/year (actually less if you consider inflation). A $270 job that lasts one year and looks like crap actually costs more.

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TC# 1458
1971 El Camino
SB350/TH350
12 bolt posi
"If the car doesn't kill you, I will"

Just because macco has the $270 special, doesn't mean that is the only way they will do it.

They are a normal body shop, and will do how ever much work you want done- it will just cost more. True their work won't be show quality, but I think you can probably get the level work done that you want for around $2k or so from them, you just need to be very specific about what you want (ie ask questions here at TC first!)

Actually GO to a macco and ask them what the cost would be to strip the paint off your car- and to put on a BC/CC paint job on it.

The $270 one probably has minimal to no surface prep, sprayed with the cheap paint of the week.

Ask for the good stuff and they will use it. Ask them to put in the time with the surface prep and they will do it.


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Ben Rambow
1969 El Camino Custom (http://www.chevelles.com/feature/july2001.html)
1968 Olds Delmont 88 Convertable (http://www.elcaminoclassics.com/delmont88)
The El Camino Classics Club (http://www.elcaminoclassics.com)

"Whats the matter with the car I'm Driving? Can't ya tell that its out of style..."

ajn1,
Save your money.
I paid 700.00 for a crummy job from one of these chains. For another 300.00 he would clean it up?? Ya Right! Looks like he shoot it in the dark. Every imperfection you can think of was there.
They shoot some crap called flair paint, that aint worth nothing more that being a primer for a real paint job.

You can shoot better than them, because you will care about the work your doing.

Try your local High Schools/Adult Ed./ ROP classes etc.. for a class on autobody and paint.
You will be surprised what you can learn and maybe make some contacts and end up doing it with a classmate, who knows..
Plus, you get a discount on paint and supplies and have access to a paint booth.

Just an idea.
Good Luck.
jack

the old saying goes, you get what you pay for, and if you are only paying 270.00, you are not getting much.