Preparation is everything and that is where the price is. A really good shop will take the old paint down to metal, remove all the glass, the fenders, doors, hood, grille, etc. If they won't do that and want several thousand $$$; keep looking. Not everyone needs that total kind of prep. work. Maybe somewhere between that and the Maaco mess. Maaco won't do that. They mask things off (in a haphazard manner) so you'll have over spray on your tires, chrome, door handles, rubber molding around the windows; oh yes, your engine comparment (valve covers, air filter, etc.) will look like you wanted them painted, same color as the car, too. Hate to admitt it but many years back I made the Maaco mistake. I left it with them while I went on vacation and told them when I got back I'd need the car. 2 1/2 weeks later I went to pick up the car; not done, not even started! When I did get it back; it looked like the worst student in a High School auto shop class was made to shoot it as a punishment.
If you haven't had a good nightmare lately, take it to Maaco.
