the epoxy/enamel/metallic/pearl/etc. and binders in the paint makes up the base cost of the single stage. they don't literally bring a can of clear and stir it together with the base since there's no clear coat on the car. the clear you might be referring to is just the blenders with the base coat (color coat) paint.

there's no clear coat over your paint on a single stage. if you compound your paint the compound pad will show color...unlike on a clear coat car the pad will show no color (unless you burn the paint past the clear).

i think you're getting clear coat confused with the actual paint material.

 

been running around town in my baby blue vespa. my beater will be ready soon.

 

Maaco has a patented paint texture that resembles an orange peel.

 

maaco painted my friends camaro, he got it repainted black last summer..




it was approx a $1500 job, its no show car status paint job, but for what it is is looks dam good. In direct sunlight or when you shine a light right at it at night you can see some swirls in the paint if you look stright at it but theyre minor. It took well to a wax/polish job, we waxed it for the first time on the new paint and the shine deepened up quite a bit. Its already been through a crazy winter, as he drives it year round and it still looks good, just take care of it keep it waxed and its fine.

 

you get what you pay for.......cheap paint jobs are cheap looking...i bet with a cheap paint job they hire somebody off of the street that doesnt know what the hell they are doing (like me for example).....if it is a more expensive paint job...then it might look nicer. in my point of view the less you pay for it..the cheaper quality the paint it

 

i swear someone on here posted pics of their maxima where maaco actually painted over leaves!! someone find it.

 

ive seen way worse paint jobs from $1000 - $3000.

ive seen way better paint jobs for $400.

its all in the painters abilitys, supplies, and care.

 

It realy depends on the Maaco location....I have seen a Legend painted at Atlanta Maaco and it appeared as if they painted with a brush. You could see the brush streaks. But I also saw a very good job also...BigLou is right, they have good paint but you have to take everything off, sand, prep, and tape everything if you want it to be perfect. They have some kids in there painting, thinking its an art project.

 

i got the car back and it looks great! 2 quarter size rough spots on the roof and i drip mark on the rear panel but you have to look at it close to notice.
i'll try to post pics of the paint work but it's worth every penny. now my beater looks more than a $500 beater! i just need to get some $80 tint work done in the bronx and throw some strobes in her and i'll be looking like a undercover popo

 

how many quarts of paint do you need to paint a maxima?

 

depends on how you paint and what color.

figure if you're conservative 2 quarts should give you decent coverage.

 

sanding marks...AKA bad prep work

 

painter's ability is part of it...but it all comes down to money.

for $400 bucks...do you expect the person spraying the paint to be really careful? think about it...if you got a 100K bonus at work...wouldn't you put a little more effort into it. on the flip side if you got a $100 bonus..you would probably say "eff" this place and leave 30 min early and rush/short cut everything.

of course you'll have some shops that rip you off and charge you $1500 and doing a $400 job on it.

 

my body shop used about 3 quarts for my car.

 

Maaco seems kind of questionable, especially on a nice car. If you are willing to do all the prep work yourself, you could always bring it to real body shop and have them spray it.

 

i still think if you do the prep work yourself, going to a reputable local place (not a national chain) youll get a better paint job and be a happier with it.