I have a 2000 clk 430 cab, The cars paint is cracked all over the hood and trunk. The paint is also fading all around the car. You cant really see this unless you get up close. I want to have it repainted but considering i paid 4k for the car about 11 months ago I dont want to pay 2-3 thousand for a paint job.

Has anyone every dealt with Maaco? they are running a special right now $600.
This is what it includes: Including Acrylic Paint, machine sanding most chips & scratches & full coat of primer sealer
Ultraviolet Sunscreen, INTEGRATED CLEAR COAT, & OVEN BAKED FINISH.

I'm thinking it wont be perfect, but it has to be better then it looks now. My main concern is how long will their paint job last.

 

I bet if you drove there to get an estimate if won't be $600.

 

I thought the same thing, I have a feeling the guy I go see for an estimate will try to get me for a more expensive paint job. Ill see tomorrow what happens when u go there

 

I worked in a Macco while tending college in my youth. They have a decent paint offering at a fair price but the more prep work required will dictate the final bill.

You will find different quality from different shops, I became good friends with the owner of the Macco I worked at as we both were car crafters and muscle car enthusiast's. I had his shop paint my 124 wagon Black back in 2005 and it is showroom new today. (needs polishing)

Gator

 

Prep work is everything to a lasting job. Anybody can tape and squirt paint. Well, not anybody.

 

You get what you pay for but the quality is "ok." The biggest issue is color match and if you have any door dings and such that will jack the price up. Overall you would probably be happy with it because it was inexpensive.

 

The quality of the final job will depend on the quality of the prep work. If you can do the prep yourself, including filling/sanding/priming/masking/etc. so the only thing they have to do is the large area mask/cover (tires, windows, etc.), a final surface cleaning and "shoot" the paint, you'll get a decent "three-foot" paint job. It may have some sags and orange peel, but you can usually convince them to correct that because they have only done the painting. Some shops, by the way, won't let you do your own prep.

Color match is not so critical if they paint the entire car, since the comparative surfaces that are not painted (door jams, inside the truck,etc.) will mostly not be directly next to the newly painted parts.

Anyway, find out what your $600 will actually get you before you go ahead with anything, and don't be afraid to dicker. Honest merchants will want to earn an honest buck, and even (just!?!) a $600 job includes profit for them.

Best Wishes--Carl

 

Ditto on this. Considering the price you paid for your car and the condition of the existing paint, it has probably been painted before. Putting it back close to OEM, which would include stripping, surface prep, and removal vs masking of door handles and other parts would easily top $3k+. Maaco a good alternative in this case probably. Good luck.

 

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Trying to post a really beautiful photo of my W124 but just getting garbage in the post.

 

Any way you get the picture,

I sprayed the jambs myself and under the hood and trunk. The wagon was burgundy and required no stripping, The paint still had some life but after sitting for five years, I decided to give it real life again.
I informed the painter to load the paint heavy as I wished to wet sand and buff into a mirror like finish. The painter agreed to add clear coat nearing the final integration spray.
I informed my buddy (the owner) that if urethane happened to accidently spray from the gun, It would not bother me a bit grinning. Note: this man built the most desired GTO on the planet.
I stripped all the chrome and bumpers, When I saw it again, He stripped all the glass and everything that did not deserve paint. I like to S!@T. Almost had to tow home.

I wet sanded it and buffed it into a mirror like finish and it is admired by all who know what a W124 turbo diesel is all about.

MAACO Man

Gator