I paid $1800 for my maaco job using Nissan paint, and I'm still not happy with it. There's runs and drip marks everywhere, big drip marks on the tips of the shark spoiler, swirl marks, and its chipping terribly around all the weather stripping. They way they do it is they put maybe one or 2 color coats, and then do a few clear coats to make it look shiny and to hide the imperfections. If you're gonna spend $2k on a paint job, take it somewhere that does a quality job.

 

quality anti-rust paint is no finger dobbing kindergarten class is the point. see it seems like you're paying a cheap price right man? what you're really paying for is omitting all the necessary stuff and getting right to the point. 1 coat paint, 1 coat clear, right? WRONG! when you pay for a $1200-$1500 job you're paying for including 2 primer coats, 2 surface prep coats, 4 paint coats, 5 clear ccoats, etc... so i guess what i'm trying to mention is why don't you research some shops, perhaps online and see the kind of work they do? it wouldn't hurt just to see the difference.

i've painted houses, decks, cement in europe (yep they do that), even tar on roofs, believe me corrosion is tougher and faster than it may appear. no matter how good a job i think i've done come back a year later and it's flaked off or has air pockets. take the gum off your sunroof like tibbychick and she'll tell you how much rust is under there. look at your battery tray and tell me you're not going to want to take it out, sand it and re-paint it. in about a month it will start corroding again. same deal with your car. one tiny flaw in the paint and rust will get into it. next, drip marks and flaking is one of the worst things. at first you'll start noticing it on the mirrors, then the spoiler.

if you truly don't want to spend money on a new paint, your problem lies in the clear coat. if you go to them they can probably reheat your clear coat melting all the tiny scratches everywhere. paint will look like new for a job that's probably like $250.


spend that extra money and you'll have a nice smooth paint that will last as long as the car.

 

I got the presidential paint job on my old Ford Aspire. After about 6 months, the paint was dull and did not hold a shine. It would look good right after wax, but after about a week it would be dull again.

 

Yea... My buddies dad owns a body shop, I called him and he quoted me about 3500 base, then extra for dents, etc. I'm going to call a couple places around here tomorrow.

 

I think your best bet is to go to a local vocational technical school if you have one around, and ask them. You are getting the same if not better quality then maaco. Defiantly shop around though, you will also get a better quote if you go in person.

 

^^That is a great idea. My high school's Vo-tech department would do it at cost to show kids how to prep and spray and do body work. Certified instructor was there. All you had to do was buy the paint and supplies. Labor was free. Everyone I knew who did it was pleased, plus you get the satisfaction of knowing you helped out your community.