MX-3.com

I'm planning to do some work to the MX3 this winter and paint it early spring. Does anyone know of a good auto paint shop in my area (central NJ, possibly NY or PA)

Any tips when getting estimates, what to look for in a good shop, what to ask? Anyone had any good or bad experience with body shops?

Thanks

-Bo

P.S. has anyone used this place... its right by my school so it would be very convinient

http://www.earlscheib.com/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

i wouldnt be able to help you in your area but a price range would help others help you.

Well..... as far as price, the cheaper the better but I want a decent paint job, nothing like the MAACO $200, so I would say like $1000, not more than $1200

guess who owns and operates Maaco......Earl Scheib...
Not to knock down Maaco, they will actually do a good job for $1000 or whatever they will charge for good job. You will have to speak to them about it though and tell them exactly what you want. I've seen some show cars being painted there, it all depends on painter at the particular Maaco.

thats true... cause i had some friends paint their cars at maaco.... and it looked good for like a year or so,but after that just started fading. I guess he didn't get the top quality paint job

I would get a quote, and exact list of what they'd do for that amount of money (bodywork, type of paint, and brand, etc..), and take that to an independant shop, and see if they'd match, or beat it. Earl, and Maaco, are very hit, or miss, and for the most part, I wouldn't trust them for a high end job. The economy is bad right now, and I imagine alot less people are painting their cars. You could maybe even work out a deal with a small shop, where you do some of the work. Ask around, though, and do it face to face. Talk to the owner, or highest up. Tell them you're part of this "club", and that more people around you are thinkng about painting their cars. The trick to getting a good deal on anything is having them look beyond the final price as their motivation.