Color Change

[XCRN]

I am planning to do a color change from green to black after my engine swap, and I am not looking for something anywhere near show quality, just a decent job that looks like the factory black.

This is a question for those of you who have had success with Maaco. What I heard is you can pay some additional fees to have another layer added or to do extra work in one area, what I want to know is what exactly did these success stories involve?

I have been also thinking of doing some of the prep work my self but I am not sure what I should do. All I can think of is fill the existing dents remove emblems. If I do go the route of doing some of the prep work, how far should I go? Keep in mind I do not have any painting equipment (compressor, gun, etc) so priming is a no for me to do.

[buzz11]

To save money, do any or all of your prep work yourself. Average paint can look better with the proper prep work. And from what Dev has said in the past, every Maaco is individually owned so workmanship and quality will vary from each shop

[XCRN]

So when it comes to a color change, exterior only, sanding all of the clear coat is a good stopping point?
I have a Maaco in mind, seems good so far but I still have some time until I make a decision.

[antonio7566]

I think the best thing for you to do is strip down the car remove window trim, door handles moldings, if you do not know what you're doing and don't have a the equipment to do it you may make things worse. But of couse if you know what you're doing then of course the better you could get to surface the better the paint job, And don't forget you get what you pay for.

[XCRN]

Not a clue what I am doing, that was the same when I did a head gasket.

[antonio7566]

Not a clue what I am doing, that was the same when I did a head gasket.

play it safe then, stick with what you know.

[XCRN]

Would sanding the clear coat be easy enough to do where I can't screw it up too bad and will knock alto off of the cost.

[Soufkackicustom]

The macco that is closest to me is really good (rock hill sc) I've seen plenty of really good $800-$1000 full color changes, jambs and all, come out of it.

Iam not a body work expert, but I 400 block the car lightly, just to take the shine off, this leaves the dents shiney. Then work/fill the dents, guide coat, then block with 600 grit.

Also is your looking at a color change, ESP to black, I've had good results doing the jambs in rustoloum spray paint on cheap paint jobs. I'll scuff and clean the jambs up and spray bomb them before any body work, so I make sure none of it is on the outside body, as it may react to the car paint

[deevergote]

Spraying the jambs and other remote areas yourself isn't a bad idea if you're looking to stay within a budget.

There's really no need to sand the paint yourself. Maaco will do that, and it likely won't be any additional cost. Basic prep work is part of the package. Anything that's seriously worn, rusted, etc... that will be extra.
Remove anything you don't want painted. Mouldings, trim, lips, side skirts. If you don't pull them off, they WILL paint them. They painted my mouldings and skirts, which I liked. But they also painted right over the mouldings for the rain channels on the roof. I've had my car painted twice, and that area just looks awful.

Maacos are all independently owned and operated, so be sure to look at the quality of the work coming out of your local shop before committing. My shop has one of the best painters in the area, and most of his work has been great (some flaws, but for the price paid, I'm satisfied.)
The only thing I don't like was their cut and weld rust repair. I've had it done twice, and the rust returned along the weld seam both times. The second time, they actually warped my panel, and my bumper won't mount properly.