Difference between Dealer Body Shop and Maaco-type places?
 

I got the rear bumper scratched pretty badly recently. It didn't damage the plastic itself, but removed quite a bit of paint. I already got estimates, so I'm not looking for that. I'm just wondering if anyone has found that resprays at places like Maaco don't stand up to dealer body shops. I'm tempted just to do the Maaco thing since it's silver (not too hard to match) and frankly the bumper will get marked up more as the years go on so it doesn't matter if it doesn't look 100% perfect. But if people have found they are really substandard, let me know. Thanks.

there is nothing wrong with Maaco- they have it clearly posted in every store that they have a 500 dollar paintjob and a 2500 dollar paintjob- you choose the quality- I have had lot's of luck with Maaco in the past. with that being said- I always liked this Maaco joke "What does Maaco guarantee their paintjobs up to>?.................55 mph!!!" :)

the low end paint job will not likely last much more than 1-2 years. don't even bother with it.

I once bought a used car that the owner claimed had just gotten repainted about a year ago. Well a few months later almost all the paint came off the front bumper. Also the over spray was pretty bad.

it pry wasn't even clear coated- just make sure they use the same paint from mazda and tell them you want a good job done and you should be fine

Thing is, the way people drive and park, I'm assuming it will happen again before 2 years is up and I'll have to do it again. :mad:

don't believe the 2 years thing- that is without multiple coats ending in a clear coat

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... >? they can order mazda paint as well.

I wouldn't go to either. I'd go to a good body shop in your area that guarantees their work for life and only uses PPG or Dupont paints (forget Sherwin Williams unless your painting your house). Good body shops aren't that hard to find, they're inexpensive, and as I said they guarantee their work for life. I've had several bumpers fixed or replaced (my parked cars keep getting hit) and I've been to 3 very good body shops (I've been to the same one twice, my wife has been to 2 others). You can't tell that work has been done, they were fast, they give you touch up paint, they were much more inexpensive that the dealer and they guarantee their work. If you are in the Bay Area, I would be happy to reccomend a place.

Maaco would be fine to paint it, but if i were you i would sand down what u want painted first because maco wont, and if they paint on top of the smooth clearcoat, or smooth plastic it will peel off in a few months... ive already experienced that on a previous car, but after i had it done after i sanded to make it a lillte rougher it all worked out...