Trailer Painting?
Eiyan
painting. Unfortunately, I didn't follow the thread, and am now considering
painting my trailer. Does anyone remember what the general consesus was? Does
Maaco do a decent job?
Ann
Schmdthaus
Maaco do a decent job?>>
Apparently Maaco does a decent job, at least in our area. They have several
different options as far as quality/price. A close friend had her truck painted
at Maaco, and was delighted with the results -- however, when she took her car
in a year later, she was very dissatisfied with the results.
Sylvana Smith
About five years ago, I had my old two-horse trailer painted by Maaco.
The existing paint was badly faded and an ugly color as well, but I had
hesitated to spend a lot of money on a very old trailer that I was
planning to replace. Finally, I was prompted to repaint the thing
because I replaced two steel feed manger doors (bare metal, had to be
painted), and my fella replaced all the scuzzy interior plywood with
tongue-in-groove polyvarnished wood, so the trailer started to seem
worthy of a paint makeover.
I paid about $450 for an inside-and-out paint job (charcoal body, silver
roof, white interior). At this price, it was not their
bottom-of-the-line offering, but also clearly not one of their high-end
offerings. Just right for my needs, I thought.
My impression when I picked up the trailer was, "Wow!" They did a much
better job than I expected, the trailer looked great, and they had been
surprisingly careful taping off all the decorative trim. The interior
could have used another coat, but I figured, "What the heck, it's right
for the price." Overall, I was quite pleased, and decided then that the
purchase of a new trailer could be put off for a little longer.
I bought a brand new trailer two years later but kept the old one as a
spare to lend to friends. I'm sorry to say that the new paint started
flaking off in big flakes after about three years. Not over the entire
trailer, but certainly noticeable in areas, like around the running
board and wheelwells.
Am I disappointed in the Maaco job? Maybe a little bit, but I still
think it was a very good job *for the price*. I got what I paid for,
and the paint job served me as long as I expected it would. Perhaps in
the hands of someone who would have pampered the trailer a little more,
waxed it more than once a year, and kept it under cover, it would have
fared better.
Overall, I'd still say it was a good value, and the trailer is on the
road regularly with various friends using it (and no one pampering it),
and I will not be ashamed to put it up for sale as is.
--Sylvana
Eiyan
>flaking off in big flakes after about three years.
I had an estimate from a "good" painter, but even he won't give a guarantee for
more than a year. He claims his paint job should last as long as any car paint
job that comes from the factory as I'm having it sandblasted, primed and
painted - but I'd feel alot better if he gave a longer guarantee. He wants
$1500 for painting and the sandblasting is $350. I'll find out what Maaco
would charge. The only problem with them is I've heard from some people who've
used them and they are either really pleased or really disappointed with their
work. Maybe if I take my trailer to them I'll tell them I want to be really
pleased <g>.
Ann
Jane H. Kilberg
(Eiyan) wrote:
>I had an estimate from a "good" painter, but even he won't give a guarantee for
>more than a year. He claims his paint job should last as long as any car paint
>job that comes from the factory as I'm having it sandblasted, primed and
>painted - but I'd feel alot better if he gave a longer guarantee. He wants
>$1500 for painting and the sandblasting is $350. I'll find out what Maaco
>would charge. The only problem with them is I've heard from some people who've
>used them and they are either really pleased or really disappointed with their
>work. Maybe if I take my trailer to them I'll tell them I want to be really
>pleased <g>.
You get what you pay for. If you wish to compare, check into the method of
preparation, how many coats, sanding inbetween, undercoating, and quality
of paint used.
You will find prices for painting will vary tremendously depending on the
quality of the job. A paint shop might charge $500 for a one coat job
using low quality paint with a quick but not thorough sanding job. Another
may charge $2000 but that includes total stripping and sanding, 2
undercoats and 3 top coats with sanding inbetween and use of higher
quality paints. And along with the sanding is the removal of all the
particles, otherwise you'll see those "pimples" rise up to the surface.
down the spotted trails. . .
jane h. kilberg and her gang of spots (GOS)
member: ApHC, Montgomery County Adult Horse Committee
editor/publisher: Appaloosa Network