New paint job, where to go?

[camrydriver7609]

What is considered a good paint job? You know how many coats of paint, clear coat, base coat. Mine is a 97 and the paint is in pretty good shape. I want to go from cashmere beige to a dark green. In addition to the paint I want all the dents and dings taken out. Not many. Mainly I have chips in the paint on the hood. Also, is a place like Earl Scheib or Maaco any good?

Thanks.

[felonyr301]

Heard Maaco is bad avoid them unless you planning to sell the car soon and just want to make the car look new for the short period of time because maaco paint jobs tend to crap out very soon.

[eyeball96]

Changing colors, and body work will definitely cost more. Earl and Maaco?? stay away!! If you want a really good paint job, thats going to last, its gonna cost ya!

[marc780]

eyeball i concur. I went to Scheib once a long time ago. Paint jobs dont come much cheaper. Unfortunately neither does the quality (or lack of same). Maaco and Scheib are nothing more than high volume production paint job factories. paint prep is absolutely minimal, probabably you are lucky if they even dewax the paint first. Theres no sanding and usually no primer unless you pay extra. And usually you only get one (1) color coat of paint, which you can bet is the absolute cheapest cost-and-quality paint available.
Their focus is on fast turnaround and keeping their costs down. And so they do just barely enough to get your money and get you out the door as quickly as possible. They will tell you they have a warranty or guaranty etc. but again, once they have your money, if you come back with a problem with the paint (mine chipped after 2 weeks) you will find out exactly how good their guaranty is.

Also remember you are changing colors, i'd want the door jambs and engine compartment painted to match if i were doing this. If you take the car to the cheapo painters they will charge you more for this.

My advice is avoid these two places, and learn how to paint it yourself if you want it done right. Or be prepared to pay $1000 or more for a decent paint job at a reputable paint shop, a job that includes prep, good quality primer and two or more coats plus clear coat if your car used it.

[eyeball96]

I agree! Whenever I get the coupe painted, I'd want the entire car stripped, removal of all the emblems, headlights, taillights, bumper covers, all the dings repaired, many coats of primer followed, by wet sanding between very many coats of paint (same color) and lots of clear coat! I'm thinking that would cost 2K plus!!

[camrydriver7609]

Thanks for the help guys. I don't mind paying money for a good paint job. Wherever it was that you guys got your car painted, what kind of warrenty did they give you?

[marc780]

Scheib gave a one year warranty against fading. Nothing else, just fading. But since the paint started to chip in a matter o f weeks after i got it back, the fading part was moot because chipping was not covered by their bogus warranty.
Get a good paint job from a reputable place and there is really no need for a warranty i think - because any subsequent damage that will inevitably occur to the paint from scratches etc. would not be covered anyway (because no paint shop will, or can, warranty damage like that).