Date:         Sat, 15 Mar 2003 10:34:06 -0500
Reply-To:     Scott Norville <kr2no@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Norville <kr2no@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Painting Carat: Maaco OK??

As has been said, the spraying of the paint is the least of the details
(however, you can mess up a car BUT good it you don't spray well). Proper
prep is essential. I've not dealth with MAACO before, but have with Earl
Schieb. Your choices are to:
1. drive your vanagon to the nearest shop and write a BIG check
2. shop around, then drive your vanagon to the cheapest shop and write a not
as BIG check
3. do a lot of work yourself (removing things you don't want painted body
color, sanding, filling/pulling dents, etc.) and let them finish the job, for
a negotiable check.
I just had my wife's Trooper painted by a local guy, with some minor body
work (I acquired and bolted on the new/old body panels, something that I wish
vanagons had), beautiful dry/wet sanding, PPG matched to the original color
so we didn't have to paint the inside, for $1000. To do the same to the Westy
(it has more dings, as well as the tire-shred messed-up rear panels that I've
seen on several Westies) he wants ~$14-1500, or $3-400 to prep it for someone
else to paint. I just may do that.
Anyway, for a lasting paint job, go with PPG or Sherwin Williams Automotive.
Scott