How necessary is primer on a simple maaco job?

[drummerwill]

After searching around here i couldnt find much on this topic other than the Paint FAQ and the Rust removal thread. Please let me know if there's a thread on this topic already that I missed, thanks!

Anyways I've noticed my paint's fading and thinning fast and I'm going to get a maaco paint job as soon as I fix my struts and can afford it. Until then I'm going to do the same thing as the diy rust removal thread did. (ive done it on my truck with good results.)

What I'm curious about is will I still have to get it primed at maaco before they paint it? The guy who looked at my car and gave me the estimate said that my front was good but that either they or I would have to prime some other areas cause it was so thin. I know that primer is important when you're doing a complete redo, but if I'm just getting it painted the same color will I be alright with just covering the thin spots with the shake-can dupli enamel after doing the rust clean-up and shake-can priming?

[Ralphie]

From my knowledge, priming allows the paint to adhere to the surface much better then just spraying it on non primered.

I can't tell you if its necessary without looking at the car, and anyone who does is just blowing smoke.

Maaco isn't known for their jobs though.

If it need primering, let them do it.

[deevergote]

I don't believe Maaco bothers with primer for a cheap spray job. They just scuff your original paint to ensure adhesion. The only time I figure they would prime is if the paint is very thin (as you mentioned, parts of yours may be). If that's the case, prime. Let them do it if you're not comfortable with the process yourself.

I've had my car painted twice by Maaco, and I was happy with the results both times. The rust repair, on the other hand... NOT happy with (that's the reason it was painted a second time... and the rust still came back!)

Maaco shops are independently owned, so some have better business practices than others. Some hold their painters to a higher standard as well. Take a look at their work beforehand, and decide if it's something you want to go with. I've seen some VERY bad paint jobs in the past... mine has some flaws, but for the price (and for the way I treat my cars...) I can't complain one bit.

[Ralphie]

^^^^ 100%.

Just was too lazy to type it out lol.

But yea, no matter what spray shop you ever go with, always check their work out...the work won't lie...and any good shop will have cars in different stages on hand to check out.

[drummerwill]

Ok, makes sense, I was thinking to save the extra $400 for priming on the paint that would cost $450 without priming. Im sure you can see where I'm coming from though. I'll just clean the rust myself and do the enamel til I get it to them, and then let them prime over that when i take it in? Thanks for responding!

[crazymikey]

Primer is to stick to the surface to be painted. Spraying sealer onto the primer gives the paint something to stick to.

Or atleast this is what I have been told and shown, and my personal paint results have held up better using sealer than without it.

[drummerwill]

I hadn't thought about checking their work out first. Thanks for the tip, I'll stop in and ask to see some examples. I'll do the rust work myself, I've done body work before and I dont quite trust them when it comes to that. Deevergote you've had some experience with them, would a shake-can primer be good enough for the "supreme" polyurethane single stage or if it were you would you just let them do it? I've got about every tool around my barn except an air tank and spray gun so it's either shake can or them doing it. haha

[4DRCB7ftw]

ima probly go to one day paint meybe maaco but a week for paint is ruff i need my cb7 lol im probly gonna bust out the electric sander and hit it up with some 800grit then some 1500 and send her on down for paint havnt thought about primer im pretty sure if i sand it nice itll have a surface to stick to

[4DRCB7ftw]

but then again i am changing color lol left that out on accident

[drummerwill]

the only place we have in the area to do cheap paint is maaco. I've honestly never heard of "one day paint" before and the Earl S. is no longer around here. lol

[foamypirate]

ima probly go to one day paint meybe maaco but a week for paint is ruff i need my cb7 lol im probly gonna bust out the electric sander and hit it up with some 800grit then some 1500 and send her on down for paint havnt thought about primer im pretty sure if i sand it nice itll have a surface to stick to

1500 grit, then paint is a recipe for disaster.

[4DRCB7ftw]

1500 grit, then paint is a recipe for disaster.

yeah man i just used 1500 & some polish to shine up some paint and its super smooth so yeah lol cancelled out that im either going 800 or thinkin bout 400 whichever will make the paint stick better im unsure something to look up i guess

[Accrdwgnguy]

If your paint is thinning out then Its time for a complete paint job.

DO all the prep work yourself and a quality paint job will cost you just as much as the full maaco job

[pninja82]

I had my car repainted at Maaco a few months back.Ive gotten alot of compliments on the job they did,even from guys who work at bodyshops.Like Deev said, just check the shops work.I got lucky I believe.There was a new shop opening in my delivery area(I work for Fed Ex) and I kept chatting with the owner during the build process.I dont know if its because my car was one of the first they painted there and wanted a good reputation but, they did great,offered a great price and a great 2 year warranty.I got a little nick on it when I was messing aroun and the owner told me to bring it back to touch up free of charge.Also, I just installed an EDM fog and Ive been scratching the hell out of the bumper piece that got cut out.Its holding pretty good! My car had a few spots that required primer too. For the price, Id say do it.We're not Ferrari owners and a $400-500 paintjob is worth it.You could afford to change the whole look of your car every few years if you wanted for that price!

[SilverShadow]

Right now Maaco has a sale. $299 for paint. then I read the disclaimer that comes up real fast. It shows "paint only" So I guess the sales person will claim it will need to be primed and since it is "only paint" it will need a clear coat too. I'm thinking...was this guy in the steam rug cleaning before this. All I need on the coupe is a paint over-same color. Deever, what stage was that paint job and did it come with clear coat?