Services

Best Bodyshop Practices for Less!

How do we give you such a great value? Maaco has the size and purchasing power to save you money versus traditional bodyshops. Plus, our time-tested production systems make the process more efficient. The following are the steps Maaco, America’s Bodyshop, will follow for an absolutely “seamless” repair.

Preparation

The repaired area and adjacent panel(s) are chemically cleaned and block sanded to prepare an absolutely smooth and consistent surface for painting.

Prep Can Be Just as Important as Paint
The overall look and durability of your new finish depends as much on proper surface preparation as it does on the actual paint itself. The Maaco system is based on using your car’s existing finish as a base for new paint. In many cases it provides an excellent substrate; however there are instances where your car will need extra attention before new paint can be applied.

Trim Removal

Trim like door handles and other accessories are removed to ensure that no paint gets on chrome, glass, rubber or plastic areas. In addition, Maaco completely masks the rest of your car to protect it from paint and chemicals.

Quality Paint

Maaco uses high-quality paint that has been approved by original equipment manufacturers to repair and match a car’s factory finish. This is the same paint specified by dealers and the same paint used by the best bodyshops. There is absolutely no difference in the quality of our materials.

Color Matching and Formulation

The age and condition of your car’s finish can greatly affect the formulation for color match. To color correct accurately, Maaco must measure the formula within a tolerance of one-tenth of a gram, spray test panels, and if necessary color correct by eye to achieve the best possible color match.

The Painting Process

Painting requires more than one application to ensure a seamless blending of the old and new finishes. It often involves multiple layers of paint being spread gradually beyond the original repair area and onto adjacent panels.

After the base paint is applied, we put on a clear coat to restore the gloss and depth of image of the original paint. This extra step makes the surface more durable against the sun’s UV rays and is the best way to match a car’s factory look. The clear coat is applied in layers that extend beyond the base coat to create a seamless appearance.

Color Sand and Polish

Finally, if necessary we sand the painted area with super-fine sandpaper and polish it to match your car’s original finish. Your car has now been repaired to look and perform exactly as it did before the accident.

Why Does Your Car Look So Dull & Lifeless?

There are many enemies of paint, in fact, nature is incredibly hard on a car’s surface. Chances are, that’s why you’re considering having your car painted.

The sun is paint’s #1 enemy. UV rays cause discoloration, cracking and gloss reduction. Humidity, acid rain, salt, extreme hot and cold all take their toll as well. Add in the sand, gravel, dirt and grime that assault your car on the road and it’s amazing your paint job has lasted as long as it has.

The good news is that Maaco has an overall paint service designed to meet your needs and the elements your car will face. Our hi-tech processes and quality materials will keep your car looking beautiful for years.

Conditions that May Require Additional Work Before Painting

Dent Repair

Sometimes before we can paint your car we have to get the body back in shape. Our experienced technicians carefully fix dents, dings, scrapes and other imperfections and prepare the surface for paint.

Cracking

After a few years in the sun, many auto finishes begin to crack. Cracks often look like dull spots that make the finish look “old” and can be hard to see with the naked eye. Cracks must be treated or they will spread and cause the metal below to rust and pit. To repair the cracking and ensure that it doesn’t return, the affected areas must be stripped down to the bare metal before painting.

Chips & Scratches

Unfortunately, painting over these imperfections will often intensify the problem. Chips and scratches must be machine sanded and featheredged before repainting so they don’t show through and to make the new surface look smooth and glossy.

Old & Porous Paint

It is imperative to seal an old and porous paint surface so the new paint won’t soak in causing uneven color and gloss. Maaco’s special primer / sealers provide a virtually impenetrable surface for great paint adhesion.

Delamination

After a few years UV rays may have caused the factory clear coat finish on your car to break up, pock or peel. Again, to ensure proper paint adhesion and a smooth, glossy appearance, the peeling layer must be stripped down to the bare metal. Like rust and cracking, once delamination has begun it will get worse unless treated.

Rust

Rust must be repaired or it will get worse and ruin the new paint surface. For rust that is just on the surface, we grind it down to the bare metal, acid etch it to remove any microscopic traces, then fill in the repaired area.

Rust that has broken through has actually come from inside the panel out. We must cut the rust out and patch the panel, in many cases by welding in a new piece of steel.