Your car’s shiny paintwork is under constant attack. The sun’s rays fade the color, it gets scuffed and dented, and moisture causes rust. Is it any wonder that your paintwork needs some TLC to keep it looking fresh. Resprays cost, so is there a budget alternative?
It’s time to ask the question, “How much are Maaco paint jobs?” and find out whether Maaco is worth it.
Key Takeaways
- Maaco offers three service packages: Basic, Preferred, and Premium, with prices ranging from $300 to $1,000 depending on the car type and bodywork required.
- Factors affecting the cost of a Maaco paint job include the size of the vehicle, color change, type of paint, service package, and condition of the car.
- A Maaco paint job includes different treatments based on the service package chosen, with the premium package providing the most comprehensive service including a base coat and urethane-based topcoat.
- Maaco paint jobs are worth considering for budget-conscious motorists, with a fast turnaround time and a range of additional services available.
How Much Does a Maaco Paint Job Cost?
Maaco is a 500-strong chain of auto paint shops, servicing an estimated 20 million vehicles during its 45-year history. Depending on the type of car and the amount of bodywork required, you can pay anything from $300 to $1,000.
Their work is guaranteed for three years against cracking and peeling, so you are getting peace of mind that it will last the distance.
Price Chart for Maaco Paint Packages
| What’s Included | Basic | Preferred | Premium |
| Estimated price | $300 | $500 | $1,000 |
| Warranty | 1-year | 3-year | 5-year |
| What you get |
|
|
|
Average Cost for a Truck
The average cost to paint a truck is between $700 and $1,000 for a full respray. The price increases because the square footage of the vehicle is greater.
Average Cost for an SUV
The cost to paint an SUV also varies because of their size and because they’re often used off-road. The amount of dents and scratches they get increases the bodywork preparation. The typical Maaco price range is between $600 and $900.
Average Cost of a Sedan
The estimated cost for a car ranges between $500 and $700, making it one of the cheaper options.
Factors that Determine the Cost of a Maaco Paint Job
Maaco’s painting job prices vary depending on the amount of work needed. The starting price is low, but some factors affect how much you actually pay. Also, the type of vehicle you drive dictates the total cost because some are more expensive than others.
Size of Vehicle
Smaller cars are less expensive compared to large SUVs. Also, SUVs are typically more prone to repairs like dents and scratches because they are driven off-road. The bulk of the cost is in the prep work, so those prices will go up if it needs extensive bodywork.
Color Change?
Because Maaco uses its own branded paint, it will often differ from the original manufacturer’s paint. The old color will need to be stripped away, which raises the cost.
You can trim some of these increases by opting only to paint the visible exterior surfaces. Hard-to-reach areas like tailgates or under the hood make the task more challenging and time-consuming.
The Type of Paint
Maaco uses their own paints, so the price increases if you are after a specialty color that they don’t stock. Plus, metallic paints will cost you extra, as will color mixing to create a custom look.
The Service Package
The service package you choose dictates the overall costs. Opting for the basic package might save in the short term, but you are getting the least amount of treatment for your car. Which means you might need another respray in a couple of years.
The middle and premium packages give your paintwork better protection because they use urethane-based paint instead of one-coat enamel. You also get a base coat with the premium package.
One-coat enamel paint will look good in the short term, but may not stand up to the rigors of daily driving. Urethane-based colors are more durable and better at resisting scratches.
Condition of the Car
The car’s condition is probably the biggest factor in determining the price of your Maaco paint job. Maaco will not give you an estimate over the phone or via email, even with images supplied.
The good news is you can drop in and speak to someone face-to-face, and they will give you an accurate estimate. It also enables them to check out the condition to factor in any additional treatments like scratch repair.
Save Money
The cheapest option is to apply the new coat of paint directly over scratches and dents without fixing them. Your car will look like new, but only from a distance. We don’t recommend doing this.
What Does a Maaco Paint Job Include?
A lot depends on the type of service package when determining what you get for your money. The basic package includes one coat of enamel paint buffed to a high sheen. It doesn’t include any preparation work, basecoats, or specialty treatments that other pro paint shops provide.
The middle option uses urethane-based paint, which is scratch-resistant and more durable, but you still only get one coat. And because they have a limited range of 45 paint colors, you had better hope your car’s color has a close match.
The premium service is the most comprehensive. You get a base coat and a urethane-based topcoat. So, if you want a color change, the premium package is the one to go for.
The Maaco cost does not include prep work like scratch and dent repairs. Once you factor that in, it could increase the price considerably.
Additional Costs and Services
Other than resprays, Maaco has a list of additional services you can benefit from. Whether you are turning in a lease vehicle or need some headlight restoration, they have a service to suit.
- Collision repair.
- Insurance claims repair program.
- Car servicing.
- Fleet and Industrial Services.
- Paintless dent repair.
- Headlight restoration.
- Lease turn-in.
- Spray bed lining.
- Truck and oversize equipment painting service.
Is Maaco Worth It?
When you have one eye on the budget, it’s no fun. The things you want are not within your grasp. That is Maaco’s niche, enabling people to afford resprays that would have cost them thousands elsewhere.
But, before you rush down to your nearest Maaco center, ask yourself if the prices seem too good to be true. $300 for a respray! Really?
So how do Maaco make their money with prices so low? The figures they quote you are headline rates and not necessarily the final bill. Let’s look at the pros and cons to see if the numbers stack up.
Pros
- Ideal for budget-conscious motorists.
- Lots of paint shops in handy locations.
- Accessible and user-friendly.
- Recognized by insurance companies.
- Proven track record and business model.
- Fast turnaround (typically two or three days).
Cons
- They quote the costs minus prep work.
- Basic package only includes one coat of paint.
- Costs increase depending on treatments.
Can You Paint a Car Yourself?
You can DIY paint your car, but you need to get the right equipment and estimate the amount of paint you will need. You also need to put in some practice with a spray applicator because it isn’t easy.
Here’s what you need:
- Masking tape.
- HVLP (high volume low pressure) paint sprayer.
- Car body filler.
- Sandpaper (medium and fine-grade).
- Paint and rust stripper.
- Drop cloths.
- Power sander.
- Two gallons of base coat.
- Two gallons of urethane-based topcoat.
The estimated cost of materials is $500 plus.
And this figure doesn’t include your time. If you were to make a like-for-like comparison, you would need to charge between $15 and $30 per hour. Given that Maaco states they spend 40 hours on every car, you can add another $1,200 to the bill.
The paint alone will set you back a couple of hundred dollars, and when you add in the cost of the other materials and tools, you can see why Maaco gets so many customers. For a few hundred dollars more, you can get a pro to paint your car in a couple of days.
FAQs
How Long Does a Maaco Paint Job Take?
You can expect your car to be in the Maaco paint shop for two to three days, although Maaco estimates it should take 40 hours.
What Kind of Paint Does Maaco Use?
For the basic package, they use enamel paint, and for the middle and premium options, urethane-based paint. They also use a base coat on the most expensive option.
Why is a Maaco Paint Job So Cheap?
Maaco only quotes the bare minimum costs, but you have to factor in the prep work, which is not included in the price. Once you include this, it could double or treble the final amount.
How Long Does a Paint Job Last?
Maaco provides a one-year warranty on the basic package, three years on the middle package, and five years for the premium option.
Money-Saving Maaco
Maaco’s service package is aimed at the budget end of the market, which means almost everyone can afford a respray. That has to be a good thing. No one is arguing that it is the best quality paint job, but it certainly has a loyal client base.
So, the next time you want to paint your car, other than attempting to do it yourself, you have an affordable option.
